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Lucky/early diagnosis
by: Lori on Wed, Oct 21 2009
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May 31,2009 I broke my ankle. The pain was immediate but the diagnosis was slow coming. My Physical Therapist on my firs visit, identified the RSD he understood the urgent need for early neurological assistance. He saved my life! From my ankle up to my knee the skin was shiny and hyper sensitive. I could no wear long pants, socks, I could not even wear the boot/cast, I was supposed to wear. I was not sleeping because I could not lay my leg on the bed.

I was LUCKY, my Surgeon accepted the notion that I had RSD He took me off the pain narcotics and put me on Gabapentin. His only comment was, “I sure hope you don’t have that!” I needed to find a nerurologist, ASAP.

First available appt was 3 months out,here again I was LUCKY, the lady on the phone went to the head of neurology, (crying really helps) and convinced them we needed to treat this NOW. It was 6 weeks after my injury when I had my first visit with 2 neurologists. They contined the Gabapentin and added Clonazepan at night, and an ointment to apply to the outside of my ankle 4 times a day. Continued physical therepy.

I read eveything I could on RSD, and realized I was in deep doo doo. As soon as I could drive, I found a gym near my house with a warm water pool, so I could exercize my ankle injury. I read that execize was a big part of the healing.
With in a couple weeks the pain left my leg, concentrating around the ankle. I still could not wear long pants or normal shoes & OMG Socks forget it!

Today, 4 months later, I still have the RSD pain in my ankle but it is mostly contained to he scar area. I still go to PT once a week. The cold fall air is a new problem. I can now wear knee socks and long pants for a week now. The topical ointment I apply 2 times a day. I no longer need the clonazepan at night. I take 300mg of Gabapentin at night. 100 mg twice a day.
It is still a struggle…

These drugs make me dizzy, and very tired. Depression is an issue, too sometimes, but the pain is “under control” SO FAR… I have osteo arthritis and all the stress on my knees is a real bother. I am not able to return to work yet, but I am Lucky, I don’t have to.

My RSD journey is not over, but I am not suffering as much as I was in he first month after my ankle surgery.
Reading all the stories of all the thing people are doing, was a huge help.

My best advise to anyone, he moment you hear the possibilty pursue neurological help with a vengence. Don’t wait. Not everyone has to suffer with RSD!


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October 2009

  • Shanna’s Days - by Shanna - (Thu, Oct 29 2009)
    It is so hard to remember that there was a time when my life was normal? 3 years ago I had to have back surgery I had exhausted all other alternatives.The surgery went well& I was released 24 hrs later only to be rushed to the hospital 5 days later with an impacted bowel. [more..]
  • Lucky/early diagnosis - by Lori - (Wed, Oct 21 2009)
    May 31,2009 I broke my ankle. The pain was immediate but the diagnosis was slow coming. My Physical Therapist on my firs visit, identified the RSD, he understood the urgent need for early neurological assistance. He saved my life! From my ankle up to my knee the skin was shiny and hyper sensitive. I could no wear long pants, socks, I could not even wear the boot/cast, I was supposed to wear. I was not sleeping because I could not lay my leg on the bed. [more..]
  • they think its RSD - by JG - (Fri, Oct 16 2009)
    A year ago when I went to walk I had pain on the outer edge of my ankle but after “walking it out” it would go away. In June it started throbbing and not going away. I went to the hospital and they put my ankle in a brace and told me to ice it. [more..]
  • New at this-RSD - by Carmen - (Tue, Oct 13 2009)
    I broke my heel in May 09. I never seemed to be making much progress. I had (still have ) numbness on the left side of the left foot. [more..]
  • why - by dayle - (Fri, Oct 09 2009)
    my name is dayle-always a very active on the go person. nothing could stop me. even being sick, surgeries, etc. in my life….couldn’t keep me down. until one day totally changed my entire life. i was told i had RSD type II…severe nerve injury, [more..]
  • CPRS Type II - by Anthony - (Thu, Oct 08 2009)
    I was injured on thr job in 1986 using a weedeater. I had carpal tunnel release in 87 and had burning pain for 3 years. [more..]
  • RSD or Chronic Regionial Pain Snydrome - by Beverly (BEV) - (Wed, Oct 07 2009)
    I am a 43 yrs old female and 7 months ago, I was injured while driving a School bus with kids aboard, when a Deer Ran out in front of my Bus Causing my left arm (elbow) to hit the Heating Panel I have lost all 3 of my jobs [more..]
  • RSD - by Linda - (Mon, Oct 05 2009)
    I had a fracture on the side of my foot, wore a boot cast walker and almost immediately experienced more pain. My doctor put a hard cast on my foot/leg for 6 weeks, but the pain only increased. He took off the cast, my foot up to my knee was red, swollen and very shiny, and oh so painful, couldn’t even touch it. [more..]
  • SADIE’S SUFFERING - by Laura - (Mon, Oct 05 2009)
    My daughter was just diagnosed with RSD. She is only 10 years old. I’m having a difficult time trying to help her with her pain. She goes to a school that does not have an elevator and only has stairs. Her classroom is [more..]
  • dont know for sure ???? - by penney - (Fri, Oct 02 2009)
    Hi my name is Penney I had foot surgery on Aug. 10th. My foot stayed swelled, I had burning pain in my big toe and 2nd toe, also felt like needles were being stuck through the top of my toes, I assumed it was because of nerves being messed with during the surgery, I wear a [more..]
  • Living in fear - by Brit - (Thu, Oct 01 2009)
    My name is Brit and I’ve been diagnosed with RSD for over a year and a half. I went to Dr. Sherry’s program in Phily. It really helped, but I still get attacks and it recently just spread from my arm and back to my leg. [more..]
  • rsd/cprs type II - by Dawn from Michigan - (Thu, Oct 01 2009)
    1997 was injured at work. 2000 I had to have surgery on my right arm, medial epicondilis ulnar nerve transplant. Took 6 months before I returned to work, unfortunately my employer would not [more..]

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