FAQ These are "Frequently Asked Questions"
- but are they your questions? To
submit a factual question click
QUESTION. To write to a member of our correspondence Team click CONTACT.
IMPORTANT
RSD Alert collates information to help you manage
your condition but we have no medically qualified personnel. You need
to keep in touch with your own medical advisor.
FAQ
I have recently been
diagnosed with RSD - so what do I do now?
Having a recent diagnosis is good
news and bad news. The bad is that you have it at all - and you
are understandably scared. The good news is that you are still in
the period when treatment can have the greatest effect. The pain
is awful... I know because I had it myself. However, you will notice
that I used the past tense. My treatment (which is outlined in detail
on RSD Alert) was encouragingly successful. My physiotherapist told
me that the more flexibility I achieved the less pain I would have
and, in my case, she was proved right.
On the other hand, I must say that many people are not as lucky
as I was. Pain relief is not guaranteed. Even in my case the RSD
has not gone away completely, as I still feel lingering sensations
that warn me to keep the hand and wrist exercised. I am also aware
that the RSD is likely to return with a vengeance if I break another
limb. But I am not in pain and am able to live a full and active
life.
Most people agree that, even if the pain doesn't go away, the
important thing is to get your life back. Aim to win back the
maximum mobility and to win back the use of your arm, leg, ankle
or wrist - or wherever the pain has taken hold. It is possible
to live with pain and it is better to have a painful limb that
works than a painful limb that doesn't work. Focus on getting
the affected limb moving (yes, I know it hurts) and you may be
rewarded with gradually diminished pain levels. Take such medications
as the doctors recommend (you can check what the drugs do by looking
at "Drugs on
RSD Alert") and do the recommended exercises. I am not
talking about a "no pain no gain" philosophy - do what
you can to alleviate your pain, but don't let it dictate what
you do with the rest of your life.
These are not comforting words, but I hope the thoughts will
help. Derrick Phillips - Editor of RSD Alert
www.rsdalert.co.uk
for correspondence click CONTACT
