Hi everyone,

Today is my 2nd Anniversary of having RSD. It's hard to believe that it has been 2 years exactly since the day I fell and sprained my ankle - some days it feels like a lifetime ago whilst on other days, it feels like it was just yesterday.

It's been a pretty tough day so far for me. I'm in a pain flare from the Vacation to Vegas and I don't think the emotions of having to deal with my Anniversary have helped much. Still, i'm trying to focus on the positives though and realise that I have come a long way since I first developed RSD. I am no where near better and deal with pain of an 8 and a half on the pain scale on a daily basis, my leg is rotated and nothing I try willl help it, I am dealing with what I suspect to be another spread to my left arm (I see my PT's on Tuesday to discuss that) and my limbs turn red and blue and spasm all the time BUT in some respects, I have come a long way!

This time last year, I couldn't walk and was wheelchair bound as my legs would just shoot out in front of me whenever I tried to walk and I would fall to the ground. My mum and dad had to literally carry me everywhere I went and it made simple tasks extremely difficult. I then went onto the Intense Physical Therapy Program in London and the PT's there learnt me how to walk again. Yes, I still deal with LOTS of pain on a daily basis and I have to use my wheelchair long distances BUT I can get around the house and school now and for that, I am extremely grateful as some people aren't so lucky!!

I have learnt a lot since developing RSD and I feel it has made me a stronger person. I have dealt with sooo many emotions and tough times and have felt like giving in more times than enough but I am still here and trying to "cope" and live my life to the best of my ability, even though I have lots of limitations.

Have I fully accpeted that I have RSD?? OMG, no way!! I don't think I will ever be able to fully accept that I have RSD but I have learnt to try and get on with life, even though it is extremely hard sometimes when I cant do things that normal teenagers do. I have learnt not to take everything for granted and I am truly grateful for everything that I can do, despite the limitations that may be involved.

So even though today is tough and upsetting for me, I am trying my darn hardest not to focus on the negatives and to focus on the things that I CAN do!

Here's hoping that the next year will see the remission of my RSD and that I will be able to live a normal, pain-free live and do all of the things that I want to do!

Thanks for listening!
Alison

You are a strong brave gal! An inspiration to many here.

Thanks for your post!

((((((Ali))))))

2 years is more than enough!! praying this year will bring a turnaround for you

thanks again for all the sunshine that you spread around the forums here at NT

I wish you the healing you deserve. Don't think too far down the road, just concentrate on moving farther every day.

I hope that you start going into remission soon. It would be so great if you could enjoy some of the things youngens do and not pay for it with pain.

I went to a High School play last night. It was long. 3 hours. We did get a break in between but man today I feel like I have a hangover from it.

It's fun to watch the kids sing and dance though. I went to see Travis's nephews, both were in the play. Trevor will graduate this year. I have known this kid since he was around 6 and did not know he had it in him. He was always so shy and quite. He did us proud though.

I am amazed at this high school how they have worked hard to pull some of these kids back up that were down. Some of the kids in that play had been in trouble with the law and they have woked hard at getting back to being kids.

I wish that for you girl. You are so pretty and smart and you deserve the best.

Ada

Keep up the fight, its so sad that you have to deal with this instead of being a carefree teen. But one day I think you will discover that this experience has set you up for life, you are so far ahead of your peers that even though it means you are missing out on being a child (something I wish with my whole heart I could give you back) you are growing in ways that mean in the next few years you are going to surprise people and yourself.

I can't wait to see you burst out into the world and make your mark as I have a feeling you are going to have a big voice and do amazing things.

I know anniversaries are hard, I had mine last friday (I didn't even blog about it due to the other stress going on) and its good to reflect as it helps you see just how far you have come so when you feel hopeless you can look at it and go, well actually I am doing pretty good.

Hugs and Kisses sweetie, and I really really hope all your extra pain goes down soon so you can get back your routine.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and support - I truly appreciate them and you are the best friends anyone could ever wish for!!

I managed to "survive" my Second Anniversary of dealing with the RSD. It was pretty tough but I was determined to try and focus on the positives and not the negatives. I was in a pain flare all last week so couldn't go to school. The chemist wouldn't prescribe my oral Ketamine for a week and kept saying that they needed to speak to my Pain Management Doctor, even though they had all of the details about how much I take and what it has been prescribed for etc. My PM Doctor wasn't very happy with the chemist and it took ages to try and sort it out but thankfully, we have got it sorted now.

The Ketamine is the only thing that helps me a little and I hate taking it but when I am in a pain flare, I don't have any other choice. I only take it when I absolutely have to as my Doctor fears that it could affect my hormones etc because of my age. It really frustrates me that people automatically assume that everyone on Ketamine is a drug addict - I know some are but there are also people like me who have a chronic pain condition and need it to try and relieve some of the pain!!!

Thanks again everyone for your kind words and support, it means a lot to me! We have a busy week this week as tomorrow I am going for a meeting about an Health and Social Care course that I want to do at college - the teachers want to make sure I will be able to cope with it as it lasts 2 years. Hopefully i'll be able to as there isn't much walking around. I also go to my PT session on Tuesday and am going to speak to them about my arm and see if they can check it out as it is still really hurting. My mum spoke to the PT's the other day on the phone and they said that they would check my arm out and make an appointment for me to see my PM Doctor if they felt it was neccasary.

I'll keep you all updated as to what my PT's say. Thanks again!

Your age is a strong factor in your favor. Keep up the good fight.

Ali, You are a very strong young lady and you give others the will power to keep fighting.Kepp up the good work. Shandi

I'm sorry to hear that it has been 2 years but am excited to hear that you have made some progress and are able to walk around compared to just a year ago. I hope you continue to make progress