Hi everyone. - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

jodom1979 · 01-14-2007, 05:03 PM

Hi my name is Jon, 27yrold male.

The probility of me getting diagnosed with RSD is extremely high in about 15 days. Heres a quick run down on my story.

Last april ('05) I recieved knee surgery on my left knee. The procedure was called a retinacular repair. My knee was cut open not arthroscopically. This surgery was supposed to stop my patella front dislocating which it did. Few months went by Nov 11th I fell on my knee when it gave out on me comming down a ladder and dislocated it on the spot. Screamed,crused, and located it myself since no around at my job was any if at all of assistance. Through all of this My knee has constantly swelled up for no reason, felt cold to the touch,burning at times with a stabbing pain at other times and has brusied for not apparent reason. My doctor at my last visit said Im showing signs of RSD He did not go in depth with and actually refered me to the internet to learn about it (which i have no problem with). He said if my knee does not show improvment that he was going to treat me for RSD.

He sent me away with 50 ultrams,percocet 7.5,predisone cycle. and said "see you in a month". The pain in this knee is unbearable at times and has sent me to the ER twice due to pain. The meds he has given me now pull it to a level that i can atleast bear with it. But it since our last visit it has remained filled with edema and stiff.

My question, If i do get and RSD verdict which i more than sure im going to end up with, Is this how the rest of my life will most likely be like? Popping pain pills and doing my bestto fight the pain on a daily basis? Argueing with the pain docs to get the correct amount of meds so i DONT have to suffer?

I was told pain docs in my area (Lexington KY) are NOT very friendly nor compassionate. Frankly this whole bit is a slap in the face. And also a little scary. I have watched pain patients fight to get the meds they so desperately need and the jerk of a doctor not helping. I dont want to end up like this arguing with some MD who thinks he is god and having to fight for pain control each and every month.

Anyways I dont want to ramble on. But I dont really know how to hold my composure on this matter in my life. My ortho doc is an alright guy. I like him but when RSD gets involved im gone and on to a pain doc. I dont want to loose my cool having to argue with an MD each month. well im done thanks for listnening.

fedup05 · 01-14-2007, 05:51 PM

well i am 17 years old and i was told that i have rsd in dec of 05. i have been threw the hole doctors not beliv ing me and everything but i found one doctor that has helped termendisly.she suggested a nerve stimulator. i have a trail at the middle of feb. thy say that this is the best thing for rsd. but im not sure they are also telling me that i might ha ve this the rest of my life. you might go for a while and not have anything happen no pain nothing. then youll get this flare up and it hurts badly. but some say after getting meds for it you can get ride of it in some occations. since they are findingthis out now you might be able to get on top of it and take control.

hope this helps

bye now

sharon1030 · 01-14-2007, 06:46 PM

Hi Jon,

I'm sorry you're going through this right now. Waiting around for a diagnosis is probably the worst part about any illness/disease. Nobody can tell you if you will have RSD for the rest of your life. It seems to like to stick around, but there have been some cases of people going into remission, especially if it is caught early. It sounds like yours has been caught early so that's a good thing for you. It sounds like you trust your ortho. Maybe he'll give you a name of a good pain management doc. Hopefully you'll like him/her, but if not, keep trying until you do find someone you like. I know that's easier said than done. I don't know how many there are around where you live, but you can look up pain management docs on the internet and see if they list any near you. You could also call a hospital near you and ask them for the names of some PM docs. Maybe someone who comes to this board lives near you and can help with a name. Good luck and when you find out, either way, please let us know.

Sharon

jodom1979 · 01-14-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fedup05

well i am 17 years old and i was told that i have rsd in dec of 05. i have been threw the hole doctors not beliv ing me and everything but i found one doctor that has helped termendisly.she suggested a nerve stimulator. i have a trail at the middle of feb. thy say that this is the best thing for rsd. but im not sure they are also telling me that i might ha ve this the rest of my life. you might go for a while and not have anything happen no pain nothing. then youll get this flare up and it hurts badly. but some say after getting meds for it you can get ride of it in some occations. since they are findingthis out now you might be able to get on top of it and take control.

hope this helps

bye now

Thats what im soooo not looking forward too. Im ex military and tend to be a little "hot". But I have spent the past few days doing research on this and I feel I definately fall into the catagory seeing my symptoms. I just dont want this to be a life ender for me.. I have a passion for racing and I dont know what i would do with out it.. but the burning sensation and the sweating out of nowhere say something it wrong. but, just wait it out and see what he says... hopefully good news. thank you for the reply

jodom1979 · 01-14-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharon1030

Hi Jon,

I'm sorry you're going through this right now. Waiting around for a diagnosis is probably the worst part about any illness/disease. Nobody can tell you if you will have RSD for the rest of your life. It seems to like to stick around, but there have been some cases of people going into remission, especially if it is caught early. It sounds like yours has been caught early so that's a good thing for you. It sounds like you trust your ortho. Maybe he'll give you a name of a good pain management doc. Hopefully you'll like him/her, but if not, keep trying until you do find someone you like. I know that's easier said than done. I don't know how many there are around where you live, but you can look up pain management docs on the internet and see if they list any near you. You could also call a hospital near you and ask them for the names of some PM docs. Maybe someone who comes to this board lives near you and can help with a name. Good luck and when you find out, either way, please let us know.

Sharon

Thank you for the reply sharon. Im really trying not to be downin the dumps but when he mentioned it and told me to read on it.... it just seems like the most of the symptoms hit me right on the head. It takes well, what i consider heavy narcotics to get through the day. but atleast they do bring relief when needed. But I also understand they arent exactly the way either being addictive. With that in mind i really hesitantly use them due to the fact i dont want to be hooked on pain meds... Maybe thats why the percocet hits me like a frieght train (even taking half a dose). But anyway, please keep comming to the boards and posting. Your postings really do help people like me out!!