I have never posted on a forum like this before but if this can help one person it will be worth it. Over 2 weeks ago I broke my left leg in 2 places and my left ankle. I won't go into all the details but truckloads of pain relief (without relief) and 1 week of not being able to even think because of the pain I was diagnosed with CRPS. I had never heard of it before so googled it and cried for 1 whole day. They put me on a ketamine drip for 2 days which helped me think a bit more clearly. That was one week ago. My pain relief team were brilliant. The head anesthetist told me on day one of diagnoses that being upset makes the pain worse and that I had to feel calm for the best possible result. He advised me to meditate and that so much of this is connected to the mind. On day 2 - after diagnosis I decided that no matter what, I was going to fully recover. Having CRPS was not an option for me and only health was. I have never been more determined about anything in my whole life. I told the doctors I would be home from hospital by Saturday and that I would be fully recovered. They tried to advise me of the negative things that could happen when the drip came off and that I shouldn't get my hopes up about leaving hospital so soon. I told them I didn't want to hear. They told me that I had to have a spinal block and I told them I wouldn't need it. The day the drip came off I imagined all day what it would feel like to have no pain (apart from the normal fractured bone pain). I practiced the feeling of being healthy. I wrote pages about all of the good things that happened as a result of breaking my leg as I have never appreciated my life this much ever. I started to know that I would be fine. They took the drip off at 8.20pm and after I watched the clock for 30 minutes I cried and cried with relief and joy as I knew I was cured. There was no pain. I did it. The doctors came the following morning and saw me beaming from ear to ear. I went home that evening on my crutches. I've been home for 3 days now and I'm fine. I still have the recovery of my ankle and leg but I can do it easily. I fully intend to be running within 4 weeks and when I go to see my surgeon in a month I want him to be scratching his head in surprise as I'm not even supposed to be walking by then.
I am a very positive person and I was so determined to do this. I know that the power of the mind is beyond the power of everything. I believe that with our thoughts we emit vibrational signals and we live the result of these signals. The only signal I gave off after my diagnoses was health. Nothing else was an option. I kept telling myself I was cured. It worked and I expected it to. This might seem far fetched and not for everyone but each to their own. This worked for me and maybe it can show someone that it's possible to recover quickly no matter what the diagnosis is or what your doctor might say.
Happy recovery to all of you readers - how would you feel if you were cured ??
Liz

Liz, I'm very glad you are out of pain!! However, be extremely careful getting back on you feet again. Take it very easy because it could come roaring back at full force. I've read similar stories and the RSD came back because, it seems, the patient became hasty and pushed themselves and re-injured causing the pain to return.

Reading your story certainly gives hope that in this world there are doctors that know what they are doing right at the onset of this disease. They sound like a great team of doctors.

Thank you so much for your reply. It has been several years now and I am completely fine. I did run just after my first appointment with my surgeon and I made a rapid recovery from the fractures. I have even been doing heavy weight lifting for several years and training for triathlons. I have never had a slight tinge of the 'leg dipped in acid' pain that is CRPS. A full recovery is possible - you just have to believe that it is

I was told there is no cure but remission is a possibility especially in the early stages. Unfortunately for me I have not experienced remission. I am going on almost seven long years of this horrific disease. But I never give up hope.

You are correct RSD ME, there is no cure for RSD/CRPS. There is only remission. I was diagnosed more than 26 years ago and did experience remission early on, but it came back with a vengeance. I am now full-body

That's the thing that terrifies me (full body). More than 19 years with right arm; 2 years with left. I hurt so bad it's ridiculous, but I feel for YOU. How on earth do you cope

Thanks. It is definitely a challenge as I have developed other conditions on top of my RSD. One thing that helps me more than anything is my husband. He helps keep me positive, most of the time, and keeps me going. I hope you can find some relief, very soon!!

Please keep us posted especially if you recover. I am desperate for solutinos and answers as we all our.

I had RSD 25 years ago. I say had, but I do not think it ever really goes away but I am stable. I no longer take any meds for it and it no longer controls my life. I woke up from surgery 25 yrs ago from a Mortons neuroma of the left foot in excruciating pain that did not subside for almost 10 years. 25 years ago most doctor did not even believe RSD was "real" and if they did, they were too afraid to treat you. I made the rounds of probably 20 doctors ,numerous drugs and PT techniques, Hi-volt, tens, desensitivity, alternating hot & cold, nothing helped. I had continuous pain, nothing or no one could touch the foot and it would spas. The pain would get so bad my vision would go black and I would see stars. The pain started moving to the other foot. They doctors finally said all that was left was pain management. I did not give up, I was young, so I tried one more doctor, who I considered saved my life, because I did not consider my quality of life worth living. He had experience with several RSD patients and told me we are not out of treaments yet. He put me on tegretol the epileptic med for about 6 month. When I was weened off of it, the pain was not there. I do not think you can consider it a full recovery. I have lost sensation and mobility in half the foot and that whole leg is weak. I can only wear clog shoes because I cannot point my toe to get it in a shoe because it kicks off the pain. I have to wear very thick rubber soled shoes all the time, even in the pool or it will kick off the pain. I can not go barefoot even for a minute. I can not run, ride a bike or walk long distances. But I can walk, and I can live a normal life.

I hope this gives you hope and most of all, I hope they find a cure for this excruciating painful disease.

Now 25 years later I am being evaluated for Myasthenia Gravis a neuromuscular disease and somehow I think there has to be a relationship.

I will keep you in my prayers,
kathie