Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[livingwith]

Dear Ms B.,
I had the accident resulting in Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy on my left side September 1, 2003. This event of course changed my life, my abilities both personal and employable. For your information with reflex sympathetic dystrophy sometimes means people commit suicide. I think about this still but it just isn’t an option for me. Every day I choose to fight. I do not belong to support groups because support groups are depressing.
Every day something happens relat...Read the full article

[wollfy]

DEAR PATRICIA,

I COMMEND YOU FOR THE WAY YOU HAVE HANDLED YOUR SITUATION. I TOO HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE SAME SYMPTOMS, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS AS LONG AS YOU. MY DOCTORS HAVE NOT MENTIONED RSD, THEY HAVE JUST SAID '' YOU HAVE NERVE DAMAGE ''AND IT MIGHT GO AWAY. WELL AFTER 4 SURGERIES AND MANY MONTHS OF THERAPY OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS,IT HAS JUST GOTTEN WORSE. I AM IN CONSTANT PAIN AND TAKEN SO MUCH MEDICINE THAT JUST DULLS IT FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE SEVERE SPASMS,A HOT BURNING PAIN IN MY ARMS AND HANDS BUT MY FINGERS ARE SO COLD AND NUMB. ALL OF THIS HAS CAUSED MAJOR DEPRESSION FOR ME I'VE BEEN LUCKY THAT WORKERS COMP HAS ATLEAST HELP WITH THIS,SINCE THEY HAVE TAKEN EVERYTHING ELSE AWAY.I AM THANKFUL FOR MY FAMILY THEY HAVE BEEN HERE FOR ME. I ALSO KNOW THERE ARE OTHERS WORSE OFF THAN ME. I JUST FOUND ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS THIS,SO I WILL HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO ABOUT WHAT I'M FEELING. I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST AND HOPE YOU CAN STAY AS PAIN FREE AS POSSIBLE. YOU WILL STAY IN MY PRAYERS.

KIM

[spacecowboy]

Hey Patricia:

I know what your going through. I have been dealing with RSD since 2001 now and it just keeps getting worse everyday but somehow I find the strength to keep going just knowing that if you give up it just get's worse. As far as your comments on Workmans Comp they just don't understand RSD. I knew I couldn't work anymore due to the pain. Then I also found out that most companies when they find out about the meds and what can happen with this condition won't hire you due to we now become a comp risk. So what I ended up doing is getting me a very good attorney and kept fighting Workmans Comp for 100 % disability it took me until last year but I finally won my case due to several doctors reports on RSD. My injury all started from an ankle dislocation and 2 bones broken that got infected wth Osteomyelitis. I got treated for that then the pain kept getting worse so I was sent to the pain clinic for help from a pain specialist. They started me on even stonger pain meds that worked for a while then then pain kept increasing that's when they did test to confirm the RSD now I'm on Oxycontin 20mg 4 times a day, Neurontin 300mg 1 to 3 four times a day, Zanaflex 2mg 8 a day and Percocet 5-325mg 1 or 2 a day as needed. And still with all this it just barely takes the edge off. But I keep remembering that the Doctors and all the stuff I have read on RSD say's keep moving or lose it so I force myself everyday to keep going. They have been trying to get me to have that electrostimulator inplanted in my spine but I won't let them cause I talked to a gal that had one and after one year she was almost maxed out on the settings. I told them I would rather stay on the meds and deal with it until I can't take it no more. The bottom line is don't give up get an Attorney and keep fighting for 100% disability sooner or later your get it then you will be able to get more from Workers Comp. It's still a battle but a little easier with an Attorney.

PS: And also to Kim if your not in a pain clinic find one their fantastic for getting the help you need.

Hang in there and GOD BLESS!!!

Cowboy

[spacecowboy]

As you can tell I'm new to this site. I tried to correct something and it went crazy.

Sorry for the mess. Spacecowboy