Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[G0J0G0]

Hi SeaShells,
I know what you mean about your family members not understanding your pain. Unfortunately there is little one can do to change the mind of one that won't see what is lying in front of them. I have a brother and son that basically couldn't be bothered.
Are you familiar with the McGill Pain Index? This is a graphic scale depicting the pain levels RSDers feel in our suffering. According to the scale we are living with the most painful disorder known to man, more painful than amputation without anesthesia You might look up the index mentioned and show them the amount of suffering you are living. RSDandyou.com has the scale depicted on their site. When visiting the site do a search for McGill and the scale should beat the bottom of the page. If not you can do a google search and find it with a little patience. The disease is listed on the scale by the former name; Causalgia.
I hope all goes well with you and yours and pray blessings beyond compare, gojogo.

[Nuttymona]

I was diagnosed with RSD after spraining my right ankle. My foot literally turned black before I decided my regular doctor was a quack and went to someone else. It literally felt like fire racing up my leg when even a breeze would touch my leg, so walking and exercising went out the window for me as well. I tried cortizone shots directly into my ankle and was even getting epidurals every 2 weeks to supposedly do a spinal block and not feel pain anymore. Except that my foot DID still hurt and I was having to remain on bedrest due to the epidurals without getting any favorable results. What finally worked for me was getting physical therapy and going to a chiropractor who would "pop" my ankle daily. Every time he did it, I would scream and cry. But after two weeks I could walk on my foot again. I go to him for regular "treatment" and it keeps me mobile on my own feet, but I don't think I'll ever get to the point where exercise will be an easy option. I know I have to resort to crutches when I haven't had therapy in a while and it is embarrassing, but I'm thankful to be able to walk at all.