Living with RSDThis section is a place to share stories about Living with RSD Below are entries of those who have already shared their stories. We hope that you find their experiences helpful to your own situation. You may also Help others by sharing your story. To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Re-occurring RSD 
I am a 55 year old RN who has had re-occurring RSD since 1993. It started with a left ankle sprain in 1990, which continued to resprain at least 3 times a year. In 1993 I flew to Michigan on vacation and severely sprained my ankle, the sprain did not respond to the usual treatment of ice, elevation, and rest and got worse. My left extremity swelled to twice its size and became reddened. I could not stand having anything touch it, including bed linens. The orthopedic surgeon that I saw wrote a letter stating that I would never work in nursing again, after treating me for 2 months. It was suggested to me that I see a pain specialist and I was lucky to find a good one. I received a pain block to my lower ext and the Doctor diagnosed me with RSD My pain improved and I was able to walk and return to work, with the aid of supportive shoes and a ankle brace. I also had Physical therapy treatments using e-stim, and rented a tens unit to treat the nerve pain in my ankle, which usually preceded the ankle sprain. Over the years I’ve had at least 25 sprains and have been able to recover within a short time. Ten days ago I sprained my ankle and have had all the RSD symptoms reappear and I am unable to walk more an a few steps without severe pain. I am starting therapy next week and will ask for e-stim again, and possibly another pain block. In the meantime I am taking anti-inflammatories, icing the ankle, elevating it, and walking on crutches. I have also been doing strengthening exercises for the rest of my body, just taking action makes me feel better. When I feel down I think about how I conquered this before and was able to go back to work. Faith in God helps me the most, he gives me strength to keep on trying. Don’t give up, have faith that things will get better my friends.
July 2007
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