dawnfromWA

Hello everyone!

My name is Dawn and I am 33 years old, I have 2 children (girl 11, boy 10). I was dx with RSD Aug. 2000, although my injury was May 18, 2000. My ortho doctor was obviously misinformed about this disease. My accident happen at work, I had a severe right hip sprain/strain to the muscles on the side and buttocks area. I was a Paramedic/Fire Fighter, with 10 years in the medical field I had never heard of this horid thing. My RSD started in my lower right leg. The usual purble/red/blue color changes, sploches, and severe cold (to the bone). My ortho doc. sent me for a bone scan to rule out RSD, as he put it. And since this test was normal he said it was not possibable for me to have it. (No better than that now) He finally sent me to a Pain Management Doctor Aug. 30, 2000. But not before he put me on crutches for a month with NO weight bearing, 1 corizone shot in the right hip, PT everyday that involved having "ICE" packs on my right leg. Needless to say by the time I went in Aug. both legs were in full blown RSD. The pain doctor walked in the room took one look at me and told me what I had and began discussing treatment options. She was very compassionate and concerned about my condition, but she too did just as much damage as the ortho. doctor. I had 3 nerve blocks with minimal relief and each one was followed by intense PT that included Heat packs on both legs then both legs packed in "ICE". Now I have relocated to Washington state to live with my parents because of the extent of my symptoms. Since about Decenber I have been having severe swelling in both hands with electric shock type pain and the pins and needles feeling. My pain doc. wanted to have other medical problems ruled out, CHF, Respatory problems. Well now it is July and the swelling is continuing to get worse, pain is increasing, temp. changes occuring and have noticed skin color changes. I am now in a new state without a doctor and workman's comp. giving me a hard time. And the symptoms in my hands are almost 8 months old.

There are days that I wish someone could expaine to me what it is that I have ever done to deserve this type of torture! When all the research comes in it always says the same thing, depression is a severe side effect of RSD. Those of us who have this condition have no trouble understanding why. I am 2 years into this and I have begun having headaches, chest pain, blurred vision. I have been having the memory problems for quite awhile now. I just wish someone could look me in the eyes and tell me everything is gonna be ok, and it not be a lie. I have seen post from people who have had this disease for 10+ years, I just don't know that I am strong enough to handle this that long.

Well I must lay down again, have a good evening and I hope that you are able to get some sleep.

Dawn

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My prayers are with you. The more people we educate about RSD the more chances that just one of them may find a way to help us all.

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My prayers are with you. The more people we educate about RSD the more chances that just one of them may find a way to help us all.