Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[livingwith]

I fell down a flight of stairs just over 2 months ago and while I was enduring the healing of all the scrapes and cuts from the fall, rsd set in. My fingers only bend slightly but have mo joint movement at all. The pain is unbearable constantly except when I am able to sleep. My thumb has crippled and is now in line with my pointer finger and will not stretch back in place. The skin on my right hand is very shiny and I experience sensations of very very cold. My fingers have enlarged so much...Read the full article

[eileen m]

Dianne,
I too suffer from RSD in the upper extremities (both arms and hands) and I am very sorry to hear that you are not doing well and are suffering so much. You did not say in your post whether you've been applying a daily regimen of physical therapy with your hand. On the chance that you do not perform any sort of PT on this extremity, I would urge you to do so starting immediately. I know that the pain may prevent you from wanting to do ANYTHING with the hand, but you must. Even if you start out with the smallest movement, I believe you will find that you will gain more mobilty and less pain over time. Remember this one simple known fact about RSD, it spreads aggressively if the affected area is pampered and underused. Try to start small and work your way to better movement because it's crucial to your quality of life and yes, it will hurt, but it will not harm. You'll have to push through the pain, but it may very well lead you to salvation and relief from this dreadful disease. Good luck Dianne.