Hi LorieLee,

They are great questions that you are asking and please don't ever apologize for asking them ... there is absolutely no need and it is SO important that you understand RSD the best you possibly can!!

My pain is always sooo much worse when I am in a stressful situation!!! My grandad sadly passed-away in November and my pain was REALLY bad for a few weeks after he passed away whilst we were dealing with the funeral etc. I am now taking my 9th Grade 'Options' at School and they are very stressful as I need to decide what classes I want to continue doing and what courses I need to take at school etc. I do try to avoid stressful situations but of course, it's impossible!! If my friends or family do something to annoy me or stress me out, I will tell them but in a "nice" way so that I don't upset them too much. It's important that they know how we feel and that they are hurting us!!

My RSD started in my left foot and later spread up into my knee and thigh and then my hip. I later had an injury to my right arm and that caused the RSD to spread there also. I have spoken to many people who have said that their RSD started in their foot and then spread up their leg after a period of time etc.

Medications will only mask the problems of RSD unfortunately ... they wont "cure" it and the pain will probably still be there if you were to come off them! I personally chose to come off all of my medications as they weren't helping me at all and I feel that the side-effects often outweighed the benefits. It was a very difficult decision to make but I didn't see the point in being on the meds when they weren't helping me at all!! I've spoken to quite a few people who have been on meds for a certain length of time and after so long, their body builds up a tolerence to them which stops them from working quite as well.

It is completely normal for you to be upset, angry, frustrated and depressed when dealing with such an awful condition like this!!!!! Many times I have felt REALLY angry and as though my life isn't worth living but then I stop and think about the good things that I have in my life and it makes a difference. I also see a Psychologist and she is lovely and actually takes the time to listen to what I am going through. My first Psychologist could care less and when my mum told him I was really depressed, he just went on about talking about my family tree and never addressed the problems!!! It's really important that you get in to see a good Psychologist who can help you and actually understands what you are going through - they can make a lot of diference to your life and prescribe anti-depressents that may help you!!

I hope you feel better soon and if you have any more questions, please let me know!!