If you have read my story you could be tempted to under-rate the effects of RSD. I don't want to discourage anyone, but this condition is serious. The success of my treatment was mainly due to early diagnosis. Many sufferers have much less luck. This is a widespread condition but receives so little publicity and attention that even people in the medical profession fail to spot it and warn patients. That's why this website exists.

On the other hand, the stories on "Storyboard" may alarm you. Some of them come from people who have been sent from doctor to doctor until they became utterly discouraged. Some are suffering greatly and have lost their independence and quality of life. Don't be put off by the horror stories - there is hope, but recovery (or relief) depends on your own attitude. Many people fail to appreciate the seriousness of this condition, which is often caused by quite trivial injuries. RSD/CRPS is not a trivial outcome, however slight the trauma that brought it on. However, it is not life threatening and does respond to treatment.

In my case, the minor accident that led to RSD (see RSD Sudden Fall, slow climb back) happened in early 1999 and my life is now scarcely affected. I walk, run, drive, play the guitar and do a busy job. However, the condition has not really gone away. I still have to exercise the affected hand and that work is keeping things under control. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy won't let you forget it once it has got you. It demands personal commitment to keep it at bay. Let it get control and it can cripple you.

So what can you do?
If you are a new RSD sufferer you can work at the phyiotherapy exercises as if your life depends on them (though you need to pace yourself... exercise can be overdone). If you are a long term sufferer you may be unable to alleviate the physical effects, but there is much that you can do to keep your mind healthy. Seek friends. Share experiences. Make it your mission to spread information about RSD so that more people in future will get diagnosed soon enough to do something about it. If you are a chance visitor to this site and don't have the problem yourself, please take the time to understand it - you could be a potential future victim or you could have the chance to help someone else by warning them when they are at most risk. If you see someone with their arm or leg in plaster, point them to this site or to one of the other RSD sites listed on our Help-Groups page.

RSD can get as bad as we let it. Let's fight back!

Derrick Phillips
Revised May 200