Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Member Introductions

My husband was diagnosed with RSDS 2 months ago. This condition occurred after he accidently cut off his left index finger and also went through the extensor tendon in his middle finger while working with a circular saw. He had surgery, but they were not able to save his index finger. 1 1/2 months after the injusry he was diagnosed with RSDS. Since then he has been in considerable pain and cannot grip or lift with his left hand. He is also now having pain and stiffness in his right hand. He is very discouraged and is looking for any advice from others who have been or are going through this. The doctors don’t seem to do much but prescibe drugs and recommend him to other doctors. He is trying to continue working, but is finding that it is very difficult.

Hi, my name is Trina, I have RSD, I was diagnosed with it almost 7 yrs. ago. It started in my left elbow and has spread. I got it from falling out of an armored truck. I am currently waiting to go for my eval. for the spinal cord stim. I would greatly appreciate it if I would be accepted into your group. Thanks, Trina

MY husband has RSDS and I would like to know as much as possible. And want to get him off perocests.

hi. my name is maryann dempsey. i got my hand caught in a conveyer belt in febuary of '06. i cut my index finger off and crushed my left hand. two weeks later i had surgery on my hand, they put two pins in it and unattached my finger to reattach the nerves that i cut. five hours after the surgery i was in severe pain i could not stand air to touch my arm or hand, and i swelled so much that my skin cracked open. it turned green, purple and red. i told my doctor something was wrong, he said it was ok. two months later i went to a pain managment doctor and they said i had the worst case of rsd they had ever seen. i thought i was going to lose my arm, because the rsd was soo bad. and i still suffer with rsd and it has been a year and four months. and, it has spread to my right arm.

hi. my name is maryann dempsey. i got my hand caught in a conveyer belt in febuary of '06. i cut my index finger off and crushed my left hand. two weeks later i had surgery on my hand, they put two pins in it and unattached my finger to reattach the nerves that i cut. five hours after the surgery i was in severe pain i could not stand air to touch my arm or hand, and i swelled so much that my skin cracked open. it turned green, purple and red. i told my doctor something was wrong, he said it was ok. two months later i went to a pain managment doctor and they said i had the worst case of rsd they had ever seen. i thought i was going to lose my arm, because the rsd was soo bad. and i still suffer with rsd and it has been a year and four months. and, it has spread to my right arm.

I was dx with rsd after a fall at work on 7/10/99. I’m on meds. I’ve had blocks. I have a spinal cord stimulator. This is my 3rd battery, I had 2 sets of wire leads (low back), and I now have paddles (in my neck). The initial injury was to the left knee. I now have ‘global’ rsd. I would like to talk to others who have been through all of this. Maybe they have things I haven’t tried, or better or different ways of dealing with rsd that I haven’t figured out yet.

I recently found i have this and was looking for info on getting help. I am unable to walk because of my left foot and ankle are having a flare up. So i need help in finding a doctor that knows anything about rsds. The ones i have found don’t know what it is.

I have thoracic outlet syndrome along with RSD (along with chronic asthma,Raynaud’s), I was diagnosed with the TOS & RDS baCK IN 8/99, yet , was not told by the specialist, until I came across a memo from the Neuro (to my doctor). On & off for years I have been living in pain, and most recently (Oct 2006) everyday in pain and most days are extreme.

I had my blood pressure taken last Tuesday on my left arm and that really triggered the problem and pain!! My left side from the top of my head to the lower portion of my left side, I feel numb,with tingling, react to dif temps, etc…

I would like to know if there are certain foods to stay away from that may worsen the symptoms.

Also, I was told that if needed, I could get a shot near the brachial plexus to relax the muscle(s).

I would also like to know if RSD is considered a disease regarding Social Security (Disability)?

Are there any support groups in Orange County (So. Ca)?

Thank You

I have recently been diagnosed with RSD after a few surgeries to correct right ulnar nerve entrapment. It seems as though none of the doctors here in KY really know what it is. I have researched it online, but I really wan to talk with others that know what I am going through.

I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN OF A PHISICIAN FOR THIS CONDITION

hello, I have RSD now for 10 yrs. I am in stages 2 & 3.
I do walk with a cane, & I know I will need a scooter soon.
It would be nice to talk person to person as I feel I can really use the support.
Sincerely, Faith

sympatectomies should never be allowed to happen. I see no purpose for them. In every case I’ve ever heard of that procedure being done, it has caused, or the rsd has spread. The FDA should NEVER allow that procedure.

I am in the early phase of rsd, I beleive it was caused by a sympathectomy that I was talked into. No one seems or wants to understand the pain levels involved, the depression, and all that go along with it. I also have had Fybromyalgia, that was first called CTS, and had Grave’s disease that turned into hypothyroidisms after the iodine pill. All these things have the same effects, so now, I don’t know, or maybe even doctors don’t know what to do with me. I feel like I’m floating alone, in a sea of pain, pills, depression and anger.

i have suffered with RSD for 8 months. I developed it from having a cardiac ablation. i have been told by my cardiac electrophysiologist that i am the only person ever to develop rsd from that surgery. I have been doing research all this time trying to find some information about treatment for my rsd. everything i have read talks about rsd affecting limbs, but mine is in the chest wall, lungs, rib cage, back, and both breasts. i ahve been on just about every medication, nerve block injections, spinal cord stimulator trial, and to no aveil, I am getting worse. i am confined to my home because of the summer heat, I have become severly heat sensitive, and i can only function about 15% of what i used to be. I would like to find out if there are any doctors in michigan who specialize in rsd and if anyone knows of a treatment i haven’t tried.

I have rsd over all body parts,head and trunk,it started after multiple injuries to my left foot,i did not recieve proper treatment,so my condition escalated with each injury and time. My obgyn wants me off of depo-provera,and wants me to have my utrus burned with that solution,so i will not have bone problems. My bones are already 14 yrs older than thy should be. I am hopeful, that other rsd patients, who have it all over,including trunk,and abdomen,have had this done,and can tell me if it worked,and did it exacerbate thier pain,and did the pain continue. I really need a doctor, or others who have had this done,to give me some help with my decision. THANK YOU to anyone who can help,and God Bless all with this disease, and those who treat it.

HY MY NAME IS KRIS AND HAVE BEEN DX WITH RSD SINCE 1989, HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN REMISSION 2 TIMES BECAUSE OF SURGICAL SYMPATHECTOMIES. I HAD A BAD FLARE UP IN 2000 AND HAVE STEADILY GOTTEN WORSEN EVER SINCE. WE ARE AT THE POINT TO TRYING THE PAIN PUMP PROCEDURE, BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT KETAMINE. NOTHING LOST IS NOTHING GAINED. I’M 42 AM MARRIED TO A WONDERFUL SUPP0RTIVE MAN AND HAVE A 12 Y.O. DAUGHTER. WHO HAS A HARD TIME DEALING WITH THIS HORRIBLE DZ. IF SOMEONE COULD LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY KNOW OR HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS INFORMATION I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANKS SO MUCH!
SINCERELY KRISB

i have this condition i have had it for 11 yrs and my mom has had it for 7 and i just wanted to find some chat rooms or some way to connet to other who have this disease please

I am a sufferer of RSD and Fibromyalgia. I would like to meet others who can share there info with me. Thanks

Hi, my name is Debbie. Last month, my doctor told me I have RSD. I am 39 years old, married, and have 3 children. I am making myself crazy by looking at pictures of people who have RSD. I am worried that I will look like that. I am in stage I. Can it move to another limb so quickly? I am wondering because my left arm is killing me (RSD–in my left foot)–it hurts worse than my foot sometimes. My doctor thinks I have Carpal Tunnel in my arm/hand.

I need to connect with people in the Dallas, TX area who know of physicians who act as Treating Doctors for Workers Compensation. I have RSD and I am a 14 year patient and need help quickly! Thank you