Kiwi challenge - Wendy's story updated

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I had been off work for 18 months when I was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Rotorua for a three-week pain management course, which proved to be a godsend for me.
I learnt so much about how to cope with the pain, what to do to reduce the levels of pain, what causes the pain and most importantly not to be afraid of the pain.
I learnt about exercise, diet, health - both mental and physical - and all about the muscle groups and how they are affected by your body's pain.
I came back home with confidence in my ability to achieve a more normal life in spite of having Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

I started back at work in April 2002 doing 3 hours a day. Over the months I have built up my body's ability to cope with the added pressure by going up an extra 15 minutes a week. Just this last week I managed full time for the first time.
I have had some good days and, not so good days, when my arm has been almost unusable, the pain almost unbearable and fatigue driving me straight into bed after work….. but, the most important thing is that I was able to go and be part of the life I didn't think I would ever get back to.
It's not easy, I find fatigue a huge problem, I still take drugs continuously for the pain and to help me sleep. I have trouble with my memory and have a problem now with dyslexia, which I had never suffered with before - this is not from the drugs but because CRPS works on areas of the brain which control lots of different functions like sleep and memory. Pain in itself plays havoc with the brain's ability to function clearly.

My life has changed quite dramatically through having this condition. CRPS causes a malfunction in your central nervous system and the condition is not openly visible most of the time….not like a broken leg. I rarely go out in the evenings and I have lost contact with friends who just didn't understand.

My life revolves mainly around my family, my pets, my home, and the friends who stayed with me throughout this entire ordeal … and now my job.

I learnt that being at home with CRPS did not make me feel better physically or emotionally. I even got worse … from the beginnings of CRPS in my back, shoulder and neck it has spread into my joints and the physiotherapist at Queen Elizabeth hospital found that some areas of muscle were as hard as bone.

Those of us unfortunate enough to have this condition have to learn to move constantly. Mobility is our main weapon against this disease, exercise is the key. I know at this time there is no cure for CRPS - but I refuse to give in and let this disease stop me from having choices.

I don't expect to be like I once was, but I am out there trying - and that makes me feel good about myself

Along with a friend Chissy, I have started up the first website and on-line support group for RSD/CRPS in New Zealand. We can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/rsdcrps-nz

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Kiwi challenge - Wendy's story updated (continued)

Kiwi challenge - Wendy's story updated
(continued)