Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Support Group

Hello all, My name is Bruce and I am from Indiana but my heart is in Texas.. I have been ill for 11.5 years now but it feels like it is the only life I have ever had. The other 42 are more like a black & white movie that I saw a long time ago. I can only recall bits and pieces. My rsd is what has been refered to as the 4th level. It began in the Sympathetic Nervous System and is like a kidney stone 24/7. They told me 11 years ago I would never work again. I am just finishing my 31st year as a teacher and plan on starting 32 in the fall. I love proving the Drs. who don't know the real me wrong!!!I have the greatest Pain/Rehab Doc in the midwest. He is the reason I am here tonight telling a little about my story. I have been blessed to find him and he has also become a close friend. His office calls me their 'Poster Child", just so I am not their 'center fold' LOL I will do what I can for any of you all and will be more than happy to listen to your problems. That is the hardest part of our disease, the'if you can't see it,it doesn't exist'attitude. Those who have never been here can not understand us. With very few exceptions people only pretend to hear and care because nothing in their own experiences can measure up to the degree of pain we endure. It isn't a fault of theirs,I think it is just human nature.

Hi Bruce, Sorry you have to be here but welcome to the group. I just recently joined and it is a gr8 place to make friends, be understood, and just vent. I live in Chicago so we are close by. Just wondering who is your dr.? I will do (almost) anything or drive (almost) anywhere to find a good dr. Thanks.

Morning Bruce

Welcome to our family oriented group. Please feel free to ask questions, participate, share and help others.

Warmest wishes,

~Twinkle

Hi Bruce and welcome!!!! Your gonna love it here! Post when your happy, sad or just want to vent! No one judges and everyone is supportive! Welcome to the "family!"

Painfree Hugs,

Okie

Hi Bruce... Welcome to the family.Mike

Wow, I have been in different groups be4 but never the welcome I just got. Thanks, Its good to know I am not alone. At times I felt as if God forgotten me. For NEWRSD: I had had 12 surgeries when my insur.co. ASKED me to go to a Dr. not in my plan. I agreed and the 1st thing he had me do was #13 surgery, a plexus seliac block.? 4 17hours I was pain free. Absolute bliss, the still of the night, Heaven, then I beganto dream that my wife had grown these huge claws and was digging at my at my sides. When I woke my pillow was soaked from the tears. The PAIN was back,only now amplified. Trip to the Dr. and he gave the good news bad news story: Good we now knew what was the problem, Bad it can not be corrected. Dr D told me that when I could accept that the Bruce who lived in this body for 43 years was gone forever, we could begin treatments for the pain with a new person emerging from the ashes. We started THAT DAY! I still miss the old me and sometimes become rather sad but I have embraced the new Bruce and have found him to be quite enjoyable. In fact I am rather fond of him!!

Went to Federal Jury duty today but was excused because it dealt with drugs and trafficing of Cocaine. After all I have been thru I can't remain unbiased towards dealers. I have seen to much pain caused by these people not to be.

Hey Bruce! Welcome to the group.Out of all the choices you have made in life.I can honestly say joining this group was a great choice.Welcome! "Scarface"

Hi Bruce nice to meet you and welcome

HI Bruce ......

Just wanted to say hi and welcome to the group,.... I have been in New Mexico for a while and have not been on like I should......

But will be back home soon....

Again welcome it is great to have you here..... I think you will find that this is a very special group of people that are going through a lot of the same things you are.....

Please feel free to post ..... and answer any you want .... and if you just need ....VENT...tell us about your day,your pain.... or if some one just got under your skin......

Anyway.... Good to have you here .....

Craig..

I haven't been around much because of a migraine and come back to several new members.

Welcome to the group Bruce, Sorry that I'm late in responding. There are truly wonderful people here and like you, I've tried other groups and none can compare. I do love the way that MDJ is set up, too.