RSD is a terrible disease, but do not give up hope.
After an accident in 1997, and then being diagnosed with RSD, I was left in a wheelchair. I thought my life was in ruins.
I loved the outdoor life. Hill walking, Boating, just being in the out doors and walking. I was quite fit. Also I was an ex Army chap.
After almost 2 years of being in my wheelchair my Wife and Myself went to Spain on a holiday. I had a terrible flight, my rsd leg swelled up that much, I didn’t do anything for 10 days. Just to add to it, the Spanish Coach driver broke part of my adapted wheelchair. When he finally got me in it, he dumped our large suitcase across my lap.
I was so fed up, and frustrated, that I was determined to get out of this Wheelchair. About 10 months later I was on my first lot of Crutches. I was like a kid at Christmas, until I walked from one part of the hospital, to another. Boy did I ache!!
After a further two years, and about 4 pairs of Crutches, I was learning myself a new way of weight bearing on my left foot. Slowly I would try so many steps with out any crutches. I thought I had cracked it. Then next day while on my Crutches, I fell up some stairs. I damaged my right shoulder, but at the time I was that mad, and frustrated I did not feel the pain. I wanted rid of these Crutches. About a month later I had an MUA done on my right damaged shoulder. All went fine, and within a couple of months I took my first steps. Then I walked a small way. It was great, freedom, no crutches.
Then I did another stupid thing, ( I bet lots of you have done it)
I was sat at my Computer, I reached to get a disk, it was just a bit to far, so I leaned over. Down I went,… the natural instinct is, to put your hand out to break your fall. I ended up from that small fall, damaging my left shoulder. I was in agony. 3 weeks later I was in hospital again for another MUA.
This time things did not go right. I was in excruciating pain as they brought me round in the recovery room. I heard the Consultant say, “give him more Morphine, more, more“…… To this day I suffer terrible pain in my left shoulder.
And that’s why I posted on here about getting a letter off your Consultant/ Professor, a letter to say you have RSD. Anytime you have to go to an hospital, or dentist take the letter with you.
If any thing needs doing, then the anaesthetist needs to give you a block. Or your Dentist will read up about RSD, he can also give you a block. This will certainly help stop your RSD spreading, or jumping.
I am now able to walk unaided, not to far. I have to pace myself. ( that’s another lesson to deal with RSD) I do most things, but at a very slower pace.
Then, out the blue I took a stroll, I though dam… I have done to much. I just thought I had pulled a muscle in my right leg. I went like a snail for weeks. After a check up, my Consultant said I had a blockage in the top part of my right leg, and a stent needed putting in. I was also kindly informed I had Vascular Disease.
Ok just another hurdle to jump over. And I did try and jump it.
“In my mind, (RSD mind)… I thought I was pretty good. (I was still in chronic pain, the cold weathers driving me mad… But that’s how RSD is)
This year I have had 4 strokes, in an 8 week period, they effected my left side. But yet again I bounce back. I still suffer with my left eye, I have memory loss, or get things back to front ….( Hopefully not my Boxers)
So, what I am trying to say is……………………..
If you can be positive, relax, try and learn to take your mind to a good place. Then you too, can have more control over your RSD.
“But don’t give up hope”
Kind Regards
Paul (UK)
WISH YOU ALL, A PAIN FREE DAY
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