I wonder if coffee is just one of those things --again. If it's not stress or stress factors, or your personality, then it's something else. It's always going to be something else it seems. We get told so many things. Not enough is known about RSD, so pretty much anything goes. To me, it reeks of RSD not being taken seriously. I shriek in horror if I even get talked to like that.

Rita, he's right about not cutting down on coffee. If he feels even worse without it, then let him have his coffee. That's the way I feel about it. I can't just drink water all day, who can, I drink it more than enough with my medication!

I can get worked up about things like this, I really can. I mean do they preach to cancer or aids or MS patients like this?

I doubt it, and you're right.. RSD is not taken seriously, all too often. I do let him have his coffee, especially since I'm a caffeine addict myself. The whole pot and kettle thing, ya know.
I think most of the time, docs are guessing as much as we are. Sometimes more. I pray for the day that more is known, and therefore understood about this disease.

i've dealt with my fair share of condescending doctors--like the one who told me "just don't walk when it hurts," thanks doc!--but in the case of the dietary changes i'm trying out, it was fellow RSDers who recommended the change. i'm tackling my RSD in a number of ways, and i thought this one was worth a try. worst possible side effect? i get a little healthier anyway.
thanks everyone for joining the conversation!

I have cut out most caffeine and just have the occassional coffee. I used to always drink coffee but have no cut it down a lot and only drink it once every 2 days or so.

I can't say that I have really noticed a big difference in my pain from cutting out the caffeine. My pain seems to be the same as ever; no better and no worse.

I visited my grandad this week and he said that he thinks that I have some 'allergy' that is feeding into my pain cycle. I can't say that I can think of anything really although chocolate does make my pain worse sometimes but I have a friend who has RSD and has had to have lots of allergy tests because of it. The Doctors found out that she was allergic to garlic and all sorts of other things and believe that they could be making her pain worse, although they aren't sure. No doctor has actually tested me for allergies but it got me thinking since my grandad said that.

If you look on Dr Hooshmands website, he has a a diet specifically for RSD'ers. It gives you a list of things that you can eat and things that you should try and avoid. I'm not sure if you have seen it before but I thought that it was interesting and am going to try and follow it.

Take care.

I've always been weary of diets, esp. when you're sick, have a condition or disability. How much can food do on its own? A lot, especialy when you start cutting out food groups, I think that's the worst you can do and that it's detrimental to your health.

IMMHO all we can do is stay as healthy as possible, that means eating healthy food. Lean meat, red meat, fish, vegetables, potatoes, pasta, ... I think we need all the vitamins and minerals of as much varied foods as possible.