Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[Shianne]

Thank you Reta, Bussey, and Christine, I don't know where I would be without this forum. To answer your question Bussey I have had RSD for a little over a year now. I don't believe it would have spread so quickly had I left well enough alone. The treatments caused it to spread, nerve blocks, etc. I am considering looking for a doctor with more knowledge of my condition. But it's so time consuming to look for someone and as you already know time is deffinately not on my side. I will go to my pharmacy and check my bp w/ the machine they have there. I think I may need to look into some kind of diet too. I'm gaining weight and cannot excersize which is very frusterating to me because I usedto go to the gym every night before this. It could just be the natural effects of becoming inactive although I feel I push myself as far as I can go. Oh well! I must push on. hope you all have a good father's day!~ Shianne

[Bussey]

Hi shianne,

Have you considered using this site to try to find an RSD specialist? If you haven't done so already, you can use the MDlocator. Just to the left of where we read and reply to posts, in the colored area, scroll down to Resources. The MDlocator is listed under that topic. After clicking on it, you'll be asked to type in your zip code, and other pertinent information, in hopes of locating a specialist in your immediate area.

You are so right. Time is of the essence! I wish you the best.

Take care.

Bussey

[christine1003]

i just tried the md locator and for some reason it did not work however shianne please please make sure whoever you choose will treat your rsd and is knowledable in it I was lucky with my primary and my pain management both agreeing with each others diagnosis, it does spread mine has, you know i am so glad i have joined this forum everyone has been helpful,like we all say the family is difficult sometimes and they dont really get it, my dad, who is a wonderful man, said to me the other day "get it fixed and get back to work" this helped me to see he does not understand so when i went to see him today i used some information on rsd they they have posted on the main page to print for him to read and he did say he knows I will always have it, my mom, god bless her is my biggest support, sometimes I think she does not get as bad as it is but when i send her instant messages at 4am because rsd has me up she is starting to understand and she also said she has looked around the site to read about it

[christine1003]

oh yeah i almost forgot on jan 25th it was my moms 65th birthday and we were taking her to dinner my dad was driving and a woman hit us from behind going pretty fast we spun from one side of the highway to the other and into the guardrail i had some injuries to my back and was told i may need surgery but that noone would touch me because of the rsd and it would most likely spread to this area as well

[Bussey]

Hello christine1003,

When I saw your email coming in, I was in the process of dictating an e-mail to the manager of website operations, to let her know that the MDlocator is malfunctioning. She is very good at responding to any inquiries, and working quickly to rectify any problems on the site.

I am very sorry to hear that you were injured! I hope your parents are OK. Hopefully, you will not need surgery. Since the accident, how are things progressing with your back? It is definitely more likely than not, that having surgery would cause the RSD to spread. However, having nothing done, is also no guarantee that the RSD will not spread. My RSD began in my right hand. I did not injure myself, and I did not have any surgical procedures performed. Figuratively speaking, RSD has a mind of its own. Since onset, this monster has spread to my right arm, to my right leg, to my chest, and to my lower back.

I think I remember reading that you were very happy with your RSD Dr. and your pain management Dr. Is that correct? If so, hopefully, they will be able to determine what is best for the problem with your back, if they have not already done so.

Take care of yourself.

Bussey

[christine1003]

well my pain magmt did a series of 4 cortizone injections and it has helped a lot but i still have flair ups sometimes but when this happened he said he had to treat the back before he could get back to the rsd, i guess they are doing right by me he diagnosed me quickly which was good i dont really have anyone to compare him to, i hate rsd
you cant remember anything happening to you to cause the rsd? i know it could be something so simple that someone may not remember mine was from and injection for a migraine and i am glad at least i know

[reruho]

Christine,
My RSD was the result of a car accident, too. I would get a lawyer and go after the driver of that vechicle. The driver of the vechicle that hit me was uninsured but I had uninsured motorist insurance. I had to sue my insurance company, but I did get a little bit of money. My lawyer was the one that recommended my present PM. I let my insurance company pick the first one, big mistake. Big personality clash. He didn't talk much and I always had lots of questions.

A personal injury lawyer would have the rundown on pain management specialists and would probably know who treats RSD.

Got to run and go to dinnner with the kids tonight. Reta

[Bussey]

Hello christine1003,

My RSD symptoms began on September 1, 2003. The day just before onset was a Sunday. As usual, I went to church. On Monday, for no obvious reasons, I awakened to an excruciatingly painful right hand! My hand was swollen about three times its normal size, and it was stiff and bent. I ended up in the ER that evening. To keep a very long story short, for several months, I went to occupational therapy, I went from Dr. to Dr., and specialist to specialist, to no avail. Finally, I was diagnosed in 2004. However, the reason for onset had not been determined. Several months later, I was seen by a Dr. who specialized in the treatment of RSD. After completing a battery of tests prescribed by this Dr., He determined that I had suffered nerve damage in the brachial plexus area of my chest.

Over the years, I've been involved in many accidents, and I have suffered various injuries. I just happen to fall into the category of RSD sufferers, that will not be able to determine the actual injury that led to the onset of RSD.

Bussey

[christine1003]

wow thats rough at least i have some form of a cause although who would of known something so simple can turn out so evil

[christine1003]

i already had rsd when i had the accident i was diagnosed feb 2008 from a migraine injection, sorry for the confusion