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Living with RSD

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Living with RSD for Over 33 years


by: W. Smith on Mon, Jun 04 2007

After having a Crushing injury to my Right foot that caused loss of blood to be circulated to my foot, then almost losing my foot due to degeneration of Bone from the loss of blood circulation to this area and having a Right Lumbar Sympathectomy to restore this circulation, is unexplainable to a common person.

I have worked in the Healthcare field most of my life and I am 54 years old at this point in time. I was only 19 years old when I had my injury and it took the physicians almost a year to figure out what to do to save my foot. When I woke up from my surgery of the Lumbar Sympathectomy and was in PAIN that I had never experienced before but has never gone away, I find it very difficult to explain how anyone should deal with this type of pain on a daily basis. I have been on Pain medication, Muscle relaxers and Medications that should assist in keeping the Nerves from becoming inflamed for over 33 years.

Most people ask how do you function and continue to work on a job that requires me to be in contact with other sick patients while keeping a clear head while taking all those DRUGS. Well, the only way to do this is to not let the pain Control you but Control the pain. I do not take my medications any more than I need and some days that means, making sure I eat as I should so the medications do not take over your head. But if I did not have Prayer on a daily basis I would have never made it this far. I have been at this same job I hold now for over 31 years. I have only missed 8 weeks of work during this time and it was related to having surgery of another type for a different reason.

The stories I have read on this site are different but I am not sure most of these people or their families have really realized the impact of what RSD can have on a person and their family as much as I know it has had on me and my family. My wife has been there for me all the way and we have been married for over 35 years which unfortunately as most people can see after reading my story, has been while I have had to deal with RSD but so has she!

Thank you for allowing me this time to state my thoughts and feelings.

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June 2007

  • RSDS - by Sharon - (Thu, Jun 28 2007)
    Fractured ankle tiba and fiba in seven places december 2002. Have pin,plates and screws. Began having pain in lower leg and ankle could not stand to have a sheet are anything to touch it. [more..]
  • Troubled with RSD!!!!!!! - by L.R. - (Thu, Jun 28 2007)
    I am 34 and I have had RSD for 2 years. Over the years, I have had an Appendectomy w/exploratory surgery, 3 C-sections, Tubeligation, Hysterectomy due to a cancer scare, 2 carpaltunnal and 2 tarsaltunnal surgeries. [more..]
  • New to RSD - by RCS - (Wed, Jun 27 2007)
    Recently I had a shoulder surgery for a pinched nerve and had to have a second surgery within two months as he left a piece of bone in my shoulder. I now have a 7″ numb spot from the top of my right shoulder to the middle of my bicep. [more..]
  • I woke screaming after surgery - by carrie w. - (Tue, Jun 26 2007)
    June 29th 2005, I had surgery to reverse regrowth of bone from a congential disorder, this was the second time I had this surgery. When I was 11 I had the same surgery, and now I was almost 28. [more..]
  • Trying to enjoy life with RSDS - by dee - (Tue, Jun 26 2007)
    I was a nurse who was kicked by a patient waking up in the recovery room which resulted in my RSDS. I have constant pain in my arm and shoulder and find it hard to enjoy all the things I loved to do. [more..]
  • Keep moving - by Jeff - (Tue, Jun 26 2007)
    My name is Jeff, and I was diagnosed with RSD about a month ago, due to 3 back surgeries, in a period of 4 months. The Neurosurgen won’t admit it but something went wrong during the 2nd surgery. [more..]
  • Living with RSD - by GM - (Tue, Jun 26 2007)
    After a carpel tunnel surgery in 2005, I was diagnosed with RSD. I was released from my job duties due to my condition. Its bad enough to know I have a permanent disability, I’m in pain all the time, and even worse, to lose my job because of this, when it wasn’t my fault. [more..]
  • Hyperbaric Oxygen Miracle for RSD - by Lianna - (Wed, Jun 20 2007)
    Aloha from Hawaii ALSO! I got RSD 2.5 years ago when fencing crushed my leg on the back of my truck as I was putting it in. It seemed minor at the time but every day got worse and worse. [more..]
  • One year RSD anniversary - what works for me - by Kathy - (Tue, Jun 19 2007)
    I was injured in a horse and carriage accident; breaking my left hand. Within five weeks, I experienced swelling and burning pain in my forearm and hand. Three weeks later, I was diagnosed with RSD. [more..]
  • CPRS: the condition needing “awareness” - by LouAnn - (Fri, Jun 15 2007)
    It was two years ago when the symptoms first appeared, but 3 and a half years after the injury to my spine. Once the symptoms began, it was just a matter of a few weeks that my left fingers ‘died’. [more..]
  • leg and foot cramps from RSD - by Lori - (Wed, Jun 13 2007)
    I know this is going to sound like I have lost my marbles, but a friend sent me an email about leg cramps for my RSD. [more..]
  • RSD not from injury, told to sue - by Christy - (Wed, Jun 13 2007)
    RSD/CRPS in my left. But no injury like all others I have read. Surgery, but the surgery was on the end of my spine, L4-S2. So, how did I get RSD in my hand? I’m working on that answer. [more..]
  • RSD - by DEB - (Wed, Jun 13 2007)
    I BROKE MY ANKLE BACK IN THREE PLACES, I HAVE PLATES, SCREWS, BOLTS IN THERE, WHEN THE CAST CAME OFF THE DOCTOR TOLD ME I HAVE RSD. [more..]
  • There is Hope - by Bobby - (Tue, Jun 12 2007)
    My name is Bobby I was injured in 1999, diagnosed in 2000, many years of therapies, pain meds the whole nine yards, I thought i was dealing with this Monster. [more..]
  • RSD - by Lori - (Mon, Jun 11 2007)
    I broke my ankle almost two years ago. Not long after the break, my leg and foot swelled up to almost 3 times its normal size. When I returned to the doctor, he said I had developed RSD. [more..]
  • Stay Positive. Recovery Can Happen. - by BNL - (Thu, Jun 07 2007)
    I was diagnosed with CRPS/RSD in March after breaking a my right wrist. It’s been a challenge, but the progress I’ve made through early medical intervention and aggressive physical therapy has led me on the path to recovery. [more..]
  • JUST DIAGNOSED - by Lisa - (Thu, Jun 07 2007)
    I was just diagnosed with rsd. It has taken over a year and a half, numerous doctors and medication. I take pain meds daily with muscle relaxers. I am new to all this. [more..]
  • wanting to be labeled with ms - by jean - (Wed, Jun 06 2007)
    i cant be mad at family or friends or employers for not understanding what i feel. when a doctor first mention it to me i went out and found another doctor. tell me i have something people have heard of because i cant explain it myself. [more..]
  • rsd and social security - by patti - (Wed, Jun 06 2007)
    i got hurt at work in 2000. i had several disc protrusions in my cervical and thoratic spine. after 2 failed surgury’s, the doc did a 3rd going anterior and posterior. [more..]
  • Aloha, RSD has changed my life - by jh - (Tue, Jun 05 2007)
    I am a 28 year old female, I moved to the main land from hawaii to have a simple knee surgery, but I never had surgery. I recieved an injection to help with the pain and from the injection I got the wonderful condition of RSD/CRPS!! [more..]
  • Living with RSD for Over 33 years - by W. Smith - (Mon, Jun 04 2007)
    After having a Crushing injury to my Right foot that caused loss of blood to be circulated to my foot, then almost losing my foot due to degeneration of Bone from the loss of blood circulation to this area and having a Right Lumbar Sympathectomy to restore this circulation, is unexplainable to a common person. [more..]
  • with rsd for 10 yrs. and mre - by Toni - (Mon, Jun 04 2007)
    What started with 110 lbs. dropped on my foot (left) has now jumped to my rght foot and leg (also in my left leg). I had a pump surgically implanted. [more..]
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