[livingwith]

Hi Everyone, I am a male.with the name Tracy. Thats been the first difficulty in my life. Nothing though compared to the RSD I have. It started with a severe laceration to my left thumb when I was 19. Then I had neuromas, (cysts), accumulate on the ends of my nerves in the thumb causing hyper sensitivity this inturn started my problem. After the neuromas I had a spinal chord stim put in to try to block the pain. Well it didnt work. Instead the RSD moved to my back which is according to my Dr is...Read the full article

[Teresa J]

Hi Tracy
I have to say, you've got some great humor--I guess you have to with a name that probably is often confused with a female.

After reading your story, the thoughts inside of my head immediately seemed like someone (you) could read my mind. I have had RSD in my two feet since Aug of 05. No inciting incidence--just woke up one day with both feet hurting. By November I was in a wheel chair full time and in excruciating pain. I was diagnosed in Jan 06 at Mayo Clinic with a Bone Phase Scan. Everything was going fairly well as long as I continued to do my exercises, kept stress at a minimum, and made sure exposure to intense heat or cold was at a minimum (hard to do in MN).

This past winter I had a major surgery and then minor surgery on my toes. Oh my, I went back to stage one again. Pain, everywhere this time. Feet, back, arms, neck, head. I gave up. Started crying again, and stayed at home all the time (I'm fully disabled).

I was in PT for another 12 weeks. And am now just getting my head straight. Point is: I agree so solidly with you to keep pushing. The only alternative is to stop and have only the pain, burning, to look forward to.

I am so afraid of the future at times. Since I now have experienced total body RSD (remission in all except those darn feet) I know exactly what lies ahead and why so many of use resort to suicide.

So keep that great attitude up!

Teresa J