Newer member, 1st time post

[Guest guest]

Hi

My name is . I have been diagnosed with RSD in my left foot. I

was diagnosed in March. I now have weakness and RSD symptoms in my

left arm. I am scared to death, to say the least. I am 35, and a

single mother of 3 boys- ages 7, 15, and 17. I had to move in with my

parents since my husband of less than one year, decided he didn't

sign up for a sick wife, and filed for divorce a month after my

diagnosis. Needless to say, the depression I suffer from now is

deeply rooted inside my soul.

I am currently not working. My doctor signed me off 7/26 to do

physical therapy daily - aqua and regular pt on my leg and arm. My

work, at first, agreed to the disability and were paying me my

disability insurance pay, now they have decided to deny me, and I had

to get a lawyer to fight them.

My doc first signed me off 6 weeks, then 3 months. He said I am unable to sit,

or do even my sedentary job - which is true. I can only type right handed and

with my left thumb. If I sit for more than 15 minutes, my foot swells and turns

angry red. If I stand it swells and all in 5 minutes or less. My shoulder, elbow

and palm of my hand burn often.

I go back to him 10/26, and my neuropsych doc who works closely with my rsd doc

said that I am probably done working. I have filed for ssd too. We all know how

that goes. we wait.

My meds are fentanyl 25mcg, every 3 days; lyrica 150 mgs 3 times per

day, nortriptyline, one per day; valium, 2 per night; ativan as

needed for anxiety; actonel for oseoporosis in my foot. All of this,

and still no control.

Yesterday, I had to do some chores, sweep, do some dishes - after 15 minutes of

work I was crying and in the recliner with my rice pack and a heating pad on my

whole left arm.

My kids help with house stuff,as much as they can. They are kids

though. My mom and dad are retired and are usually my caregivers, but

my dad just had double knee replacement, and now has a bowel

obstruction. My mom is with him at the hospital which is over an hour

from our home.

I have been feeling so overwhelmed. So alone. I am not sure what my

doc will suggest next. He is called a rehab specialist. He sent me to

a pain mgmt doc in july, who said he would put some kind of catheter

in me? but would not do this until I tried more lyrica and aqua

therapy first. So, now I have done this, but still can not manage my

pain. I am usually a 6 all day, til evening or any activity - then

right to 9 or 10 I go. Frustrated.

They can send people to space, but can not help people control pain? It just

does not make sense. Sorry if I sound whiney. I am just tired, and mad. The

rehab is not helping and the pain from it is horrendous at times. I know if I do

nothing the RSD will take my body, but I know when I lay, I don't feel as much

pain.

THanks for a forum to vent in.

I hope everyone is having a low pain day.

- PA

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Welcome to this list. I am a new member myself. I empathize with your pain

and fear. When we are in such pain and responsible for others it just adds

to the stress levels and the pain becomes that much greater.

My name is . I was diagnosed with Poly Inflammatory Arthritis and

Fibromyalgia in 2001. That same year I had ½ of my large colon removed.

This past year I had the rest of my colon removed leaving me only 10 inches.

I just feel blessed not to have had to have a colostomy bag. After years of

trials with different pain medications I think my doctors have finally found

one that is better than the others. However, like you, many times they

don’t seem to cut half the pain.

, I will keep you in my thoughts. I know life is very difficult for you

right now. Thankfully you have found this list. There are so many

wonderful, supportive and knowledgeable people.

Feel free to contact me at my personal email if you need some one on one

support.

Bless you today and each day,

_____

From: chronic_pain [mailto:chronic_pain ] On

Behalf Of guess

Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 10:20 AM

To: chronic_pain

Subject: Newer member, 1st time post

Said >>My name is . I have been diagnosed with RSD in my left foot.

I

was diagnosed in March. I now have weakness and RSD symptoms in my

left arm. I am scared to death, to say the least <<

[Guest guest]

Wrote:

> My name is . I have been diagnosed with RSD in my left foot. I

was diagnosed in March. I now have weakness and RSD symptoms in my left arm. I

am scared to death, to say the least. I am 35, and a single mother of 3 boys-

ages 7, 15, and 17.>

Hello ,

I am new to this site too, but have found this group to be so

supportive & honestly care about every member.

I have RSD {head to toe}, 7 back surgeries, etc.. My children were 4, 2 1/2,and

1 when I was injured, this was back in '91. I never thought I'd make it through

that year, let alone 16 more. Family, support groups and faith are still helping

me get through.

I know the support I had from others, who truly understood my pain & how I would

have to do things, just to get through a day, was the best! Even our loved ones

can say things that make us want to scream, but yet it comes from their heart.

They just don't understand.

I do know that when I went through the whole unable to work period, sitting was

one of the worst positions for me to be in. I could only sit a few minutes

before pain shot down my legs. I do hope that you'll get through this without

many more obstacles.

wrote:

> " Yesterday, I had to do some chores, sweep, do some dishes -

> after 15 minutes of work I was crying and in the recliner

> with my rice pack and a heating pad on my whole left arm. "

I was nodding my head in agreement when I was reading this,

knowing my children could do a chore in 10 minutes which could take

me hours to recouperate from. My kids are now 20, 19 and 17. My

oldest is a Marine, and over in Iraq, and due to come home real soon.

My girls are not home much and always come up with excuses. It's more

painful to spend the time letting them know, repeatedly, what needs

done.

I am also from PA and will keep you in my thoughts & prayers!

Wishing you some pain free time or as close as it gets,

Janice