I am new to this group and feel very much alone

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group. I hear your frustration, and have been right there too. It's so sad that in this day and age that people must hurt.

I have RSD in my hand/arm/shoulder from a work injury. Oh yes, it's my dominant one. My injury happened a little over 2 1/2 yrs ago

In a message dated 11/22/2004 4:23:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, RSD-CRPSofAmerica writes:

Subject: I am new to this group and feel very much aloneI am sitting here at 4 AM reading some of these posts and crying. I have felt so alone. I haved been living this nightmare for over 2 yrs. I was diagnosed with RSDS 6 months after carpal tunnel surgery. My symptoms appeared about a month after the surgery and I spent the next 5 months going from doc to doc trying to find out what was wrong with me. One doc got so frustrated with me that he tried to make me feel like this was all in my head. But it isn't, I hurt! I am currently on disability, a policy I bought thru my benefits at work. My carpal tunnel was work related. I fixed office equipment for 20 years using various hand tools. Now my employer is fighting the work comp. Their doctors are saying that I never had carpal tunnel in the first place. Apparently I had my wrist sliced open for the hell of it. My docs are the ones who diagnosed my carpal tunnel and recommended surgery. My life has been hell since then. I don't blame the doc who did the surgery for this. I understand that RSDS is just something that happened. I am a little upset that it took them 6 months to figure it out and yet they are still not agreeing on it. I have concentration problems, which the docs say it not RSDS yet I read from these posts that it is common among the people here. I don't sleep, can't fall asleep sometimes, or wake up all the time. I manage my pain with Vicodin, it helps some but it never goes completely away. I have constant severe burning, electrical jolts, stabbing pain and spasms. I find that I mentally cut my right arm off and set it aside. I have tried various other meds but Vicodin seems to work the best. I have taken behavioral classes which have taught relaxation, physical therapy and coping skills. That has really helped. I see a therapist once a month, just to vent. I am fighting to keep my disability and am also trying to get SS. I have lost my job and don't see how I can even work at all. I have a 10lb weight restriction and limited use of my right arm. I am right hand dominate, so that makes it real tuff. I get tired very easy. If I have a decent day, then I overdo it and then down for a couple of days. My husband is very supportive but he is worried about the monies. We don't know month to month if I will get a check. During all of this my husband had surgery for prostate cancer and retired. My step-son was diagnosed bi-polar. My blood pressure is high and my stress is right up there also. I know that I am rambling, but I feel like I am wearing out my friends and family with this and really need to communicate with people who know what I am going thru. People look at me, I don't have missing limbs or any obvious problem. How can I be disabled? People don't understand what they can't see and they don't know how much I hurt, both physically and emotionally. I am so tired of this. I am stuck in the middle of the doctors and lawyers.I keep thinking I should go out and find a job. But who is going to give me a job where I can work when I want and not get upset if I am too tired and call in sick? I can't go back to my old job and I don't have a college degree to get something else. What I would like to do, I am not able to do. I would like to do something with computers but even trying this post is causing a flare-up in my arm. My lack of concentration is a real big problem. I leave the sotve and oven on. I am not comfortable driving somewhere I haven't been before. I tell my husband right when I mean left. I can't remember what I did yesterday. I use to have an excellent memory for numbers, no more. I got a PDA just to keep phone numbers, appointments and shopping lists. If I don't write it down, I will never remember it. My life is a mess. The one good thing is that I have many good friends. I can count on them for anything. They have been there for both my husband and myself. I know I am not alone, but it feels like it when they don't really know what it is like to walk in my shoes.

[Guest guest]

>

Greetings Gale (Im guessing thats your name)

Welcome to the group, you have found a wonderful support system here

with many good people with sound advice and a listening ear.

Your story sounds like many people here on this digest..sounds like

myself in many ways from the w/c fights to the many symptoms that go

along with this lovely little monster.

I just wanted to say you're welcome to laugh, cry, vent ask questions

or just sit back and read the posts that come thru.

Hugs

Donna

[Guest guest]

>

Greetings Gale (Im guessing thats your name)

Welcome to the group, you have found a wonderful support system here

with many good people with sound advice and a listening ear.

Your story sounds like many people here on this digest..sounds like

myself in many ways from the w/c fights to the many symptoms that go

along with this lovely little monster.

I just wanted to say you're welcome to laugh, cry, vent ask questions

or just sit back and read the posts that come thru.

Hugs

Donna

[Guest guest]

>

Greetings Gale (Im guessing thats your name)

Welcome to the group, you have found a wonderful support system here

with many good people with sound advice and a listening ear.

Your story sounds like many people here on this digest..sounds like

myself in many ways from the w/c fights to the many symptoms that go

along with this lovely little monster.

I just wanted to say you're welcome to laugh, cry, vent ask questions

or just sit back and read the posts that come thru.

Hugs

Donna

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group. I felt the same way you did before i found this group. I have had RSD for now 6 years. Two weeks ago was my 6 year anniversary. The people in this group are so friendly and are always here to listen. So once again welcome.

Sheri

galeweb wrote:

I am sitting here at 4 AM reading some of these posts and crying. I have felt so alone. I haved been living this nightmare for over 2 yrs. I was diagnosed with RSDS 6 months after carpal tunnel surgery. My symptoms appeared about a month after the surgery and I spent the next 5 months going from doc to doc trying to find out what was wrong with me. One doc got so frustrated with me that he tried to make me feel like this was all in my head. But it isn't, I hurt! I am currently on disability, a policy I bought thru my benefits at work. My carpal tunnel was work related. I fixed office equipment for 20 years using various hand tools. Now my employer is fighting the work comp. Their doctors are saying that I never had carpal tunnel in the first place. Apparently I had my wrist sliced open for the hell of it. My docs are the ones who diagnosed my carpal tunnel and recommended surgery. My life has been hell since then. I don't blame the doc who did the surgery for this. I understand that RSDS is just something that happened. I am a little upset that it took them 6 months to figure it out and yet they are still not agreeing on it. I have concentration problems, which the docs say it not RSDS yet I read from these posts that it is common among the people here. I don't sleep, can't fall asleep sometimes, or wake up all the time. I manage my pain with Vicodin, it helps some but it never goes completely away. I have constant severe burning, electrical jolts, stabbing pain and spasms. I find that I mentally cut my right arm off and set it aside. I have tried various other meds but Vicodin seems to work the best. I have taken behavioral classes which have taught relaxation, physical therapy and coping skills. That has really helped. I see a therapist once a month, just to vent. I am fighting to keep my disability and am also trying to get SS. I have lost my job and don't see how I can even work at all. I have a 10lb weight restriction and limited use of my right arm. I am right hand dominate, so that makes it real tuff. I get tired very easy. If I have a decent day, then I overdo it and then down for a couple of days. My husband is very supportive but he is worried about the monies. We don't know month to month if I will get a check. During all of this my husband had surgery for prostate cancer and retired. My step-son was diagnosed bi-polar. My blood pressure is high and my stress is right up there also. I know that I am rambling, but I feel like I am wearing out my friends and family with this and really need to communicate with people who know what I am going thru. People look at me, I don't have missing limbs or any obvious problem. How can I be disabled? People don't understand what they can't see and they don't know how much I hurt, both physically and emotionally. I am so tired of this. I am stuck in the middle of the doctors and lawyers.I keep thinking I should go out and find a job. But who is going to give me a job where I can work when I want and not get upset if I am too tired and call in sick? I can't go back to my old job and I don't have a college degree to get something else. What I would like to do, I am not able to do. I would like to do something with computers but even trying this post is causing a flare-up in my arm. My lack of concentration is a real big problem. I leave the sotve and oven on. I am not comfortable driving somewhere I haven't been before. I tell my husband right when I mean left. I can't remember what I did yesterday. I use to have an excellent memory for numbers, no more. I got a PDA just to keep phone numbers, appointments and shopping lists. If I don't write it down, I will never remember it. My life is a mess. The one good thing is that I have many good friends. I can count on them for anything. They have been there for both my husband and myself. I know I am not alone, but it feels like it when they don't really know what it is like to walk in my shoes.

[Guest guest]

A neurologist was the one who diagnosed my RSD after 8 months of ?? from the other docs. I mentioned my vision problems, but was told "they are no related to the RSD". I think the docs prefer passing me back and forth instead of trying to help me

Gale

I am new to this group and feel very > much alone> > > > > > >> > >> > >> > > I am sitting here at 4 AM reading some of these posts and > crying. I> > > have felt so alone. I haved been living this nightmare for over > 2> > > yrs. I was diagnosed with RSDS 6 months after carpal tunnel> > > surgery. My symptoms appeared about a month after the surgery > and I> > > spent the next 5 months going from doc to doc trying to find out> > > what was wrong with me. One doc got so frustrated with me that > he> > > tried to make me feel like this was all in my head. But it > isn't, I> > > hurt! I am currently on disability, a policy I bought thru my> > > benefits at work. My carpal tunnel was work related. I fixed> > > office equipment for 20 years using various hand tools. Now my> > > employer is fighting the work comp. Their doctors are saying > that I> > > never had carpal tunnel in the first place. Apparently I had my> > > wrist sliced open for the hell of it. My docs are the ones who> > > diagnosed my carpal tunnel and recommended surgery. My life has> > > been hell since then. I don't blame the doc who did the surgery > for> > > this. I understand that RSDS is just something that happened. I > am a> > > little upset that it took them 6 months to figure it out and yet> > > they are still not agreeing on it. I have concentration > problems,> > > which the docs say it not RSDS yet I read from these posts that > it> > > is common among the people here. I don't sleep, can't fall > asleep> > > sometimes, or wake up all the time. I manage my pain with > Vicodin,> > > it helps some but it never goes completely away. I have constant> > > severe burning, electrical jolts, stabbing pain and spasms. I > find> > > that I mentally cut my right arm off and set it aside. I have > tried> > > various other meds but Vicodin seems to work the best. I have > taken> > > behavioral classes which have taught relaxation, physical therapy> > > and coping skills. That has really helped. I see a therapist > once a> > > month, just to vent. I am fighting to keep my disability and am> > > also trying to get SS. I have lost my job and don't see how I > can> > > even work at all. I have a 10lb weight restriction and limited > use> > > of my right arm. I am right hand dominate, so that makes it real> > > tuff. I get tired very easy. If I have a decent day, then I > overdo> > > it and then down for a couple of days. My husband is very> > > supportive but he is worried about the monies. We don't know > month> > > to month if I will get a check. During all of this my husband > had> > > surgery for prostate cancer and retired. My step-son was > diagnosed> > > bi-polar. My blood pressure is high and my stress is right up > there> > > also. I know that I am rambling, but I feel like I am wearing > out> > > my friends and family with this and really need to communicate > with> > > people who know what I am going thru. People look at me, I don't> > > have missing limbs or any obvious problem. How can I be disabled?> > > People don't understand what they can't see and they don't know > how> > > much I hurt, both physically and emotionally. I am so tired of> > > this. I am stuck in the middle of the doctors and lawyers.I keep> > > thinking I should go out and find a job. But who is going to > give me> > > a job where I can work when I want and not get upset if I am too> > > tired and call in sick? I can't go back to my old job and I don't> > > have a college degree to get something else. What I would like to> > > do, I am not able to do. I would like to do something with > computers> > > but even trying this post is causing a flare-up in my arm. My > lack> > > of concentration is a real big problem. I leave the sotve and > oven> > > on. I am not comfortable driving somewhere I haven't been > before. I> > > tell my husband right when I mean left. I can't remember what I > did> > > yesterday. I use to have an excellent memory for numbers, no > more.> > > I got a PDA just to keep phone numbers, appointments and shopping> > > lists. If I don't write it down, I will never remember it. My > life> > > is a mess. The one good thing is that I have many good friends. > I> > > can count on them for anything. They have been there for both my> > > husband and myself. I know I am not alone, but it feels like it> > > when they don't really know what it is like to walk in my shoes.> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >

[Guest guest]

A neurologist was the one who diagnosed my RSD after 8 months of ?? from the other docs. I mentioned my vision problems, but was told "they are no related to the RSD". I think the docs prefer passing me back and forth instead of trying to help me

Gale

I am new to this group and feel very > much alone> > > > > > >> > >> > >> > > I am sitting here at 4 AM reading some of these posts and > crying. I> > > have felt so alone. I haved been living this nightmare for over > 2> > > yrs. I was diagnosed with RSDS 6 months after carpal tunnel> > > surgery. My symptoms appeared about a month after the surgery > and I> > > spent the next 5 months going from doc to doc trying to find out> > > what was wrong with me. One doc got so frustrated with me that > he> > > tried to make me feel like this was all in my head. But it > isn't, I> > > hurt! I am currently on disability, a policy I bought thru my> > > benefits at work. My carpal tunnel was work related. I fixed> > > office equipment for 20 years using various hand tools. Now my> > > employer is fighting the work comp. Their doctors are saying > that I> > > never had carpal tunnel in the first place. Apparently I had my> > > wrist sliced open for the hell of it. My docs are the ones who> > > diagnosed my carpal tunnel and recommended surgery. My life has> > > been hell since then. I don't blame the doc who did the surgery > for> > > this. I understand that RSDS is just something that happened. I > am a> > > little upset that it took them 6 months to figure it out and yet> > > they are still not agreeing on it. I have concentration > problems,> > > which the docs say it not RSDS yet I read from these posts that > it> > > is common among the people here. I don't sleep, can't fall > asleep> > > sometimes, or wake up all the time. I manage my pain with > Vicodin,> > > it helps some but it never goes completely away. I have constant> > > severe burning, electrical jolts, stabbing pain and spasms. I > find> > > that I mentally cut my right arm off and set it aside. I have > tried> > > various other meds but Vicodin seems to work the best. I have > taken> > > behavioral classes which have taught relaxation, physical therapy> > > and coping skills. That has really helped. I see a therapist > once a> > > month, just to vent. I am fighting to keep my disability and am> > > also trying to get SS. I have lost my job and don't see how I > can> > > even work at all. I have a 10lb weight restriction and limited > use> > > of my right arm. I am right hand dominate, so that makes it real> > > tuff. I get tired very easy. If I have a decent day, then I > overdo> > > it and then down for a couple of days. My husband is very> > > supportive but he is worried about the monies. We don't know > month> > > to month if I will get a check. During all of this my husband > had> > > surgery for prostate cancer and retired. My step-son was > diagnosed> > > bi-polar. My blood pressure is high and my stress is right up > there> > > also. I know that I am rambling, but I feel like I am wearing > out> > > my friends and family with this and really need to communicate > with> > > people who know what I am going thru. People look at me, I don't> > > have missing limbs or any obvious problem. How can I be disabled?> > > People don't understand what they can't see and they don't know > how> > > much I hurt, both physically and emotionally. I am so tired of> > > this. I am stuck in the middle of the doctors and lawyers.I keep> > > thinking I should go out and find a job. But who is going to > give me> > > a job where I can work when I want and not get upset if I am too> > > tired and call in sick? I can't go back to my old job and I don't> > > have a college degree to get something else. What I would like to> > > do, I am not able to do. I would like to do something with > computers> > > but even trying this post is causing a flare-up in my arm. My > lack> > > of concentration is a real big problem. I leave the sotve and > oven> > > on. I am not comfortable driving somewhere I haven't been > before. I> > > tell my husband right when I mean left. I can't remember what I > did> > > yesterday. I use to have an excellent memory for numbers, no > more.> > > I got a PDA just to keep phone numbers, appointments and shopping> > > lists. If I don't write it down, I will never remember it. My > life> > > is a mess. The one good thing is that I have many good friends. > I> > > can count on them for anything. They have been there for both my> > > husband and myself. I know I am not alone, but it feels like it> > > when they don't really know what it is like to walk in my shoes.> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >

[Guest guest]

A neurologist was the one who diagnosed my RSD after 8 months of ?? from the other docs. I mentioned my vision problems, but was told "they are no related to the RSD". I think the docs prefer passing me back and forth instead of trying to help me

Gale

I am new to this group and feel very > much alone> > > > > > >> > >> > >> > > I am sitting here at 4 AM reading some of these posts and > crying. I> > > have felt so alone. I haved been living this nightmare for over > 2> > > yrs. I was diagnosed with RSDS 6 months after carpal tunnel> > > surgery. My symptoms appeared about a month after the surgery > and I> > > spent the next 5 months going from doc to doc trying to find out> > > what was wrong with me. One doc got so frustrated with me that > he> > > tried to make me feel like this was all in my head. But it > isn't, I> > > hurt! I am currently on disability, a policy I bought thru my> > > benefits at work. My carpal tunnel was work related. I fixed> > > office equipment for 20 years using various hand tools. Now my> > > employer is fighting the work comp. Their doctors are saying > that I> > > never had carpal tunnel in the first place. Apparently I had my> > > wrist sliced open for the hell of it. My docs are the ones who> > > diagnosed my carpal tunnel and recommended surgery. My life has> > > been hell since then. I don't blame the doc who did the surgery > for> > > this. I understand that RSDS is just something that happened. I > am a> > > little upset that it took them 6 months to figure it out and yet> > > they are still not agreeing on it. I have concentration > problems,> > > which the docs say it not RSDS yet I read from these posts that > it> > > is common among the people here. I don't sleep, can't fall > asleep> > > sometimes, or wake up all the time. I manage my pain with > Vicodin,> > > it helps some but it never goes completely away. I have constant> > > severe burning, electrical jolts, stabbing pain and spasms. I > find> > > that I mentally cut my right arm off and set it aside. I have > tried> > > various other meds but Vicodin seems to work the best. I have > taken> > > behavioral classes which have taught relaxation, physical therapy> > > and coping skills. That has really helped. I see a therapist > once a> > > month, just to vent. I am fighting to keep my disability and am> > > also trying to get SS. I have lost my job and don't see how I > can> > > even work at all. I have a 10lb weight restriction and limited > use> > > of my right arm. I am right hand dominate, so that makes it real> > > tuff. I get tired very easy. If I have a decent day, then I > overdo> > > it and then down for a couple of days. My husband is very> > > supportive but he is worried about the monies. We don't know > month> > > to month if I will get a check. During all of this my husband > had> > > surgery for prostate cancer and retired. My step-son was > diagnosed> > > bi-polar. My blood pressure is high and my stress is right up > there> > > also. I know that I am rambling, but I feel like I am wearing > out> > > my friends and family with this and really need to communicate > with> > > people who know what I am going thru. People look at me, I don't> > > have missing limbs or any obvious problem. How can I be disabled?> > > People don't understand what they can't see and they don't know > how> > > much I hurt, both physically and emotionally. I am so tired of> > > this. I am stuck in the middle of the doctors and lawyers.I keep> > > thinking I should go out and find a job. But who is going to > give me> > > a job where I can work when I want and not get upset if I am too> > > tired and call in sick? I can't go back to my old job and I don't> > > have a college degree to get something else. What I would like to> > > do, I am not able to do. I would like to do something with > computers> > > but even trying this post is causing a flare-up in my arm. My > lack> > > of concentration is a real big problem. I leave the sotve and > oven> > > on. I am not comfortable driving somewhere I haven't been > before. I> > > tell my husband right when I mean left. I can't remember what I > did> > > yesterday. I use to have an excellent memory for numbers, no > more.> > > I got a PDA just to keep phone numbers, appointments and shopping> > > lists. If I don't write it down, I will never remember it. My > life> > > is a mess. The one good thing is that I have many good friends. > I> > > can count on them for anything. They have been there for both my> > > husband and myself. I know I am not alone, but it feels like it> > > when they don't really know what it is like to walk in my shoes.> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >

[Guest guest]

gale...Know what you mean about drs passing you back and forth..it's been happening to me for the last month with the optic neuritis...the opthamologist passed me on to the neurologist and rheumatologist and the neurologist passed me on to the rheumatologist who then passed me back to the opthamologist and neurologist...what a pain in the neck..meanwhile the optic neuritis which is supposedly an emergency thing hasn't been treated by anyone for the last 4 weeks and I have had it for 5 and a half weeks now. Frustrating to say the least. I swear no one wants to take on the responsibilty of treating it. I see my primary on Monday so I will talk to him about all this then. Hope you had a great day..GinnyGale Webber wrote:

A neurologist was the one who diagnosed my RSD after 8 months of ?? from the other docs. I mentioned my vision problems, but was told "they are no related to the RSD". I think the docs prefer passing me back and forth instead of trying to help me

Gale

I am new to this group and feel very > much alone> > > > > > >> > >> > >> > > I am sitting here at 4 AM reading some of these posts and > crying. I> > > have felt so alone. I haved been living this nightmare for over > 2> > > yrs. I was diagnosed with RSDS 6 months after carpal tunnel> > > surgery. My symptoms appeared

about a month after the surgery > and I> > > spent the next 5 months going from doc to doc trying to find out> > > what was wrong with me. One doc got so frustrated with me that > he> > > tried to make me feel like this was all in my head. But it > isn't, I> > > hurt! I am currently on disability, a policy I bought thru my> > > benefits at work. My carpal tunnel was work related. I fixed> > > office equipment for 20 years using various hand tools. Now my> > > employer is fighting the work comp. Their doctors are saying > that I> > > never had carpal tunnel in the first place. Apparently I had my> > > wrist sliced open for the hell of it. My docs are the ones who> > > diagnosed my carpal tunnel and recommended surgery. My life has> > > been

hell since then. I don't blame the doc who did the surgery > for> > > this. I understand that RSDS is just something that happened. I > am a> > > little upset that it took them 6 months to figure it out and yet> > > they are still not agreeing on it. I have concentration > problems,> > > which the docs say it not RSDS yet I read from these posts that > it> > > is common among the people here. I don't sleep, can't fall > asleep> > > sometimes, or wake up all the time. I manage my pain with > Vicodin,> > > it helps some but it never goes completely away. I have constant> > > severe burning, electrical jolts, stabbing pain and spasms. I > find> > > that I mentally cut my right arm off and set it aside. I have > tried> > > various other meds but

Vicodin seems to work the best. I have > taken> > > behavioral classes which have taught relaxation, physical therapy> > > and coping skills. That has really helped. I see a therapist > once a> > > month, just to vent. I am fighting to keep my disability and am> > > also trying to get SS. I have lost my job and don't see how I > can> > > even work at all. I have a 10lb weight restriction and limited > use> > > of my right arm. I am right hand dominate, so that makes it real> > > tuff. I get tired very easy. If I have a decent day, then I > overdo> > > it and then down for a couple of days. My husband is very> > > supportive but he is worried about the monies. We don't know > month> > > to month if I will get a check. During all of this my

husband > had> > > surgery for prostate cancer and retired. My step-son was > diagnosed> > > bi-polar. My blood pressure is high and my stress is right up > there> > > also. I know that I am rambling, but I feel like I am wearing > out> > > my friends and family with this and really need to communicate > with> > > people who know what I am going thru. People look at me, I don't> > > have missing limbs or any obvious problem. How can I be disabled?> > > People don't understand what they can't see and they don't know > how> > > much I hurt, both physically and emotionally. I am so tired of> > > this. I am stuck in the middle of the doctors and lawyers.I keep> > > thinking I should go out and find a job. But who is going to > give me> > > a job where I can

work when I want and not get upset if I am too> > > tired and call in sick? I can't go back to my old job and I don't> > > have a college degree to get something else. What I would like to> > > do, I am not able to do. I would like to do something with > computers> > > but even trying this post is causing a flare-up in my arm. My > lack> > > of concentration is a real big problem. I leave the sotve and > oven> > > on. I am not comfortable driving somewhere I haven't been > before. I> > > tell my husband right when I mean left. I can't remember what I > did> > > yesterday. I use to have an excellent memory for numbers, no > more.> > > I got a PDA just to keep phone numbers, appointments and shopping> > > lists. If I don't write it down, I will never remember it. My

> life> > > is a mess. The one good thing is that I have many good friends. > I> > > can count on them for anything. They have been there for both my> > > husband and myself. I know I am not alone, but it feels like it> > > when they don't really know what it is like to walk in my shoes.> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >

[Guest guest]

gale...Know what you mean about drs passing you back and forth..it's been happening to me for the last month with the optic neuritis...the opthamologist passed me on to the neurologist and rheumatologist and the neurologist passed me on to the rheumatologist who then passed me back to the opthamologist and neurologist...what a pain in the neck..meanwhile the optic neuritis which is supposedly an emergency thing hasn't been treated by anyone for the last 4 weeks and I have had it for 5 and a half weeks now. Frustrating to say the least. I swear no one wants to take on the responsibilty of treating it. I see my primary on Monday so I will talk to him about all this then. Hope you had a great day..GinnyGale Webber wrote:

A neurologist was the one who diagnosed my RSD after 8 months of ?? from the other docs. I mentioned my vision problems, but was told "they are no related to the RSD". I think the docs prefer passing me back and forth instead of trying to help me

Gale

I am new to this group and feel very > much alone> > > > > > >> > >> > >> > > I am sitting here at 4 AM reading some of these posts and > crying. I> > > have felt so alone. I haved been living this nightmare for over > 2> > > yrs. I was diagnosed with RSDS 6 months after carpal tunnel> > > surgery. My symptoms appeared

about a month after the surgery > and I> > > spent the next 5 months going from doc to doc trying to find out> > > what was wrong with me. One doc got so frustrated with me that > he> > > tried to make me feel like this was all in my head. But it > isn't, I> > > hurt! I am currently on disability, a policy I bought thru my> > > benefits at work. My carpal tunnel was work related. I fixed> > > office equipment for 20 years using various hand tools. Now my> > > employer is fighting the work comp. Their doctors are saying > that I> > > never had carpal tunnel in the first place. Apparently I had my> > > wrist sliced open for the hell of it. My docs are the ones who> > > diagnosed my carpal tunnel and recommended surgery. My life has> > > been

hell since then. I don't blame the doc who did the surgery > for> > > this. I understand that RSDS is just something that happened. I > am a> > > little upset that it took them 6 months to figure it out and yet> > > they are still not agreeing on it. I have concentration > problems,> > > which the docs say it not RSDS yet I read from these posts that > it> > > is common among the people here. I don't sleep, can't fall > asleep> > > sometimes, or wake up all the time. I manage my pain with > Vicodin,> > > it helps some but it never goes completely away. I have constant> > > severe burning, electrical jolts, stabbing pain and spasms. I > find> > > that I mentally cut my right arm off and set it aside. I have > tried> > > various other meds but

Vicodin seems to work the best. I have > taken> > > behavioral classes which have taught relaxation, physical therapy> > > and coping skills. That has really helped. I see a therapist > once a> > > month, just to vent. I am fighting to keep my disability and am> > > also trying to get SS. I have lost my job and don't see how I > can> > > even work at all. I have a 10lb weight restriction and limited > use> > > of my right arm. I am right hand dominate, so that makes it real> > > tuff. I get tired very easy. If I have a decent day, then I > overdo> > > it and then down for a couple of days. My husband is very> > > supportive but he is worried about the monies. We don't know > month> > > to month if I will get a check. During all of this my

husband > had> > > surgery for prostate cancer and retired. My step-son was > diagnosed> > > bi-polar. My blood pressure is high and my stress is right up > there> > > also. I know that I am rambling, but I feel like I am wearing > out> > > my friends and family with this and really need to communicate > with> > > people who know what I am going thru. People look at me, I don't> > > have missing limbs or any obvious problem. How can I be disabled?> > > People don't understand what they can't see and they don't know > how> > > much I hurt, both physically and emotionally. I am so tired of> > > this. I am stuck in the middle of the doctors and lawyers.I keep> > > thinking I should go out and find a job. But who is going to > give me> > > a job where I can

work when I want and not get upset if I am too> > > tired and call in sick? I can't go back to my old job and I don't> > > have a college degree to get something else. What I would like to> > > do, I am not able to do. I would like to do something with > computers> > > but even trying this post is causing a flare-up in my arm. My > lack> > > of concentration is a real big problem. I leave the sotve and > oven> > > on. I am not comfortable driving somewhere I haven't been > before. I> > > tell my husband right when I mean left. I can't remember what I > did> > > yesterday. I use to have an excellent memory for numbers, no > more.> > > I got a PDA just to keep phone numbers, appointments and shopping> > > lists. If I don't write it down, I will never remember it. My

> life> > > is a mess. The one good thing is that I have many good friends. > I> > > can count on them for anything. They have been there for both my> > > husband and myself. I know I am not alone, but it feels like it> > > when they don't really know what it is like to walk in my shoes.> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >