Describe RSD in One Sentence - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

LeftyKid · 01-23-2007, 01:49 PM

I've always wondered how everyone else describes their RSD when asked about it by strangers. For those of us that have a visual indicator of a disability such as a wheelchair, cane, brace, splint, or other obvious sign of a disability, we get asked about our "injury" constantly whenever we are in public. I still haven't figured out a standard response to the frequent question, "What happened to you?"
Not wanting to bore anyone with a long explanation, I usually say something like "I have a fairly rare neurological/chronic pain disorder on my upper right side." Sometimes I add, "It's called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy."

So, how do you guys respond (in a quick sentence or two) to that frequent question of "What happened?"

BTW, I sometimes like to have a little fun with people. Since I wear a large white splint on my wrist and it looks like a cast at first glance, I get a lot of "How did you break your hand/wrist/arm?" Before telling them the truth, I like to respond, "Hang-gliding accident" or "skydiving injury." Sometimes I don't bother to tell them the truth after that. I'll just say something and walk away, like, "You should see the other guy" or my personal favorite, "Well, there was this alligator..."

sharon1030 · 01-23-2007, 05:58 PM

Hi Lefty,

I hope you're doing okay.

This is the one that gets me the most! People see me using crutches and they feel the need to tell me all about how "I had that too" and how "you'll be fine. It just takes some time." I also love "well, you're luckier than I am. I was on crutches for nine months!" When I get people like that who really tick me off, I tell them "Well, this had been going on for 20 years." That's when they usually shut up. That's my answer for people like that. My answer for people who ask what happened, but don't seem to really want to hear is "Hurt my knee" or "Knee surgery." People who seem to want to hear the truth get "nerve problem."

So, there are my answers depending on the level of their wanting to know the answer. The ones that tick me off the most are the ones that are obviously only asking because they want to tell me all about their "horror stories" of being on crutches for months!

Sharon

Gaollan · 01-23-2007, 06:38 PM

I've gotten inquiries from others and I say, I got hurt at work, my poor knee met a handle the hard way and then 2 weeks later, it's been pain 24/7 from a little known nerve disorder called RSD and then I say the whole name. I suggest a website they can go to and read more about it. I tell them you never know who or when will get it and no cure.

I have a sticker and a magnet with RSD on it and have had strangers stop me after leaving the car saying do you have RSD? Or if hubby is alone they ask him and he says no my wife does and then they tell me or him a family member has it too and we didn't know anyone else around here had it! That usually gets a phone number or a phone call from the other person to touch base and they don't feel all alone in town anymore.

Hugs,
Karen

jodom1979 · 01-24-2007, 08:41 AM

You want one sentence.... PAIN IN THE @#$. I have just learned my job autozone will not allow me back to work because "your restrictions are to severe." im on sedentry work but CAN get up occasionally and move around... im so angry!! not sure wether to go to unemployment or what.

jo1234 · 01-24-2007, 09:33 AM

I usually say "RSD" and tell them they can look in up on the internet. So far, only 1 friend has come back and told me that she looked it up and how sorry she was.

Sometimes I will say its an old football linjury. Sharon, put notches on your crutches for every year. Then just lift them to see if they can count.

Actually its a lifetime event that changes you in more ways than you can explain to anyone. Living with chronic pain is devasting, depressing, restrictive like a veil fell over you. A black one, a big black one with super glue on it and you can't find anyone with nail polish remover to help you....