HiJeannine, and Welcome.My name is Loretta and I'm 61 with RSD 13 years following surgery and moved full body about 8 years ago. I take hydrocodone, 2 blood pressure meds. sleep aid Ambien CR Lorazepam,anti-anxiety med. Also take Cymbalta 120 mg.Just went off Lyrica about 6 months ago. Had been on Neurotin 3200 mg for 5 years, changed to Lyrica 400 mg. I liked the Lyrica a little better for burning pain. Both drugs stopped my spams, jerks, jolts, which were dailely and nightly. But I had such weight gain, and was concerned about blood pressure issue . I had never had weight problems or blood pressure. Of course pre-RSD I played tennis almost dailey, water skiied, snow skiied, swimming, aerobics, just active. I've lost 30 lbs since going off the Lyrica and only had a couple epidsodes of jerks. But had just received a call of a close friends death. So I'm grateful to be able to go off the med and not have seizeures. I'm swimming every day now-Arizona _and hope to loose the last 30 lbs by end of year.
We have had company for last 10 days, from Oregon good friends in the medical field. They come every other year. They retire next year, so we'll get together every year. My girlfriend is an alcohol and drug counselor and her husband neuclear med tech. Both have been so supportive. It's rare to have that kid of support outside the rsd world. My husband has grown so much in understanding over the years. My daughter and son in law are great too.
Happy to have to join us. I've learned so much from the caring ones on this forum, and not just about medical issues. I was misdiagnosed and not diagnosed correctly for 4 years. I had a very hard time adjusting to full body and 5 years ago found a psychiatrist neurologist and pharmacologist all in one. He really helped me emotionally and I had had 2-3 years of counseling when my parents died. In fact, my girlfriend that is here and I kinda started together in education and she went on to schooling and working in the field.
Don't worry about spelling etc. we all lost a little memory when it comes to that area. There is a book out by Michael J Fox I'm going to get called 'Always Looking Up' He had a difficult time adjusting to his Parkinsons disease. He is pretty far advanced now. Change in our health is hard isn't it.
We all need someone to talk to and listen. Take care, loretta

Welcome... As a newcomer to this forum I can tell you that you will find a lot of good information from this group. The people are great and supportive! Don't worry about spelling, grammer or rambling on and on because we are all struggling with the pain, memory issues and the need to vent. You will find some comfort here... I have.

I too was hurt at work so I am dealing with WC as well as medical recovery. Fell in 2006 and hurt my left knee then re-injured knee in 2007, again at work. Three surgeries later, I have developed RSD in my left leg. It has spread from just knee/foot to my total leg/hip.
I am on Lyrica 400 mg at day as well Effexor for panic/anxiety. The Lyrica has caused me to gain weight 110 to 130lbs over the past 8mths and my blood pressure has raised due to the Lyrica. It does help with the burning but I hate the side effects (vision, dizzy and weight gain). I try not to take my pain meds because I don't like how they make me feel. I have started nerve blocks so we will see if I get any relief from them.

I wish you the best in your recovery and fight against this monster. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Best advice I can give is find a good Ortho and Pain Specialist who know how to treat and manage RSD. Do your research so you are armed with knowledge!

AJ

Jeannine,

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!!! Sorry I was so long to reply , as I was out of town for a few days. I was up in PA to see my son , his wife ,my grandaughter and to meet my new baby grandson, plus see my other kids. I have 4 kids, all grown...all but one lives in Pennsylvania, and a daughter in Tacoma WA. Unfortunatley we had to leave a day earlier as my RSD was pretty bad and I needed to get home to my own bed, ect.... . I have so many questions going through my head right now, I dont even know where to start. So tomorrow after I start yet another new session of PT, Ill start posting my questions....alot have to do with workers comp...and a PM dr that claims this should burn itself out..
Oh well Take care till the morning,
Thanks again,
Jeannine