Starting in September 1999 as a single story, RSD Alert grew into an international Internet magazine covering stories, ideas and information about RSD/CRPS. Now it has grown again…

In this Newsletter-

1. New RSD Alert International Team
2. We are an Org
3. Twenty-three Years in Remission
4. News to share?
5. Researchers wanted
6. Is there a doctor…?
   

1. New RSD Alert International Team
I asked for volunteers to help with correspondence. Now, six weeks later, we have an international Team of Partners each with an ear to listen and, if necessary, a shoulder to cry on. Welcome to Carol (USA), Karen (UK), Kristy (USA), Pam (Australia), Pan (UK) and Wendy (New Zealand) - whose pictures you can see on our new Team page at http://www.rsdalert.co.uk/team/index.htm . We are not medically qualified, but we all have experience of RSD/CRPS, a deep care for those who are in pain, and a passionate concern to promote awareness of this terrible condition. Drop us a line.

2. We are an Org
With the majority of our Team living outside this damp island, it is time to recognise that we are more than a "dot.uk" - so we have become a "dot.org". In practical terms, this makes little difference - you can find us at www.rsdalert.co.uk AND at www.rsdalert.org . But "dot.org" email addresses seemed more appropriate for our new International Team - so we took the name. However you address us - You are all welcome!

3. Twenty-three Years in Remission
It is no news that RSD Alert carries stories, but I want to draw particular attention to a new one that has appeared this month. Dianne Blackburn's story may not seem encouraging, but is a valuable insight to the risks we all face once our bodies have demonstrated susceptibility to RSD. Dianne got RSD while she was at High School and was successfully treated. Then, after 23 years in remission, an unfortunate surgery brought the condition back to life. I am in remission myself, so was especially interested in this story. Read it at http://www.rsdalert.co.uk/stories/Twenty-Three-Years.htm .

4. News to share?
Our News page has been a bit of a sideline to date, but we are waking it up and puttin it to better uses. We add snippets of worldwide RSD news that come our way - but why not make it your own? Let us know about events, conferences, new Support Groups or other newsy bits that deserve to be listed on a site like RSD Alert. Snippets will always be brief, but it may help your cause locally (which is our cause globally). RSD Alert News can be found at http://www.rsdalert/info/NEWS.htm . You will also find past editions of the RSD Alert Newsletter.

5. Researchers wanted
Perhaps you didn't feel up to joining our Pen Partners Team, but you would still like to help. There is something you can do, even with limited time. In our "magazine" role, we gather and collate information for the RSD community - but we can't be everywhere. We need eyes and ears, searching out and checking relevant information. Could you be a researcher for RSD Alert? Drop me a line if you're interested.

6. Is there a doctor…?
We always emphasise that we are not experts because we don't wish to mislead anyone, or to undermine the good work being done by caring professionals. However, we would appreciate a volunteer or two from among the healthcare professionals who visit RSD Alert to stand behind us and "keep us on the straight and narrow". We don't want to swamp you in direct correspondence, but would appreciate having someone to check with occasionally when we get difficult questions. If you are a doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional and would be willing to help, please write to me direct.

Thanks for keeping in touch.

Best wishes

Derrick Phillips