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personal stories and notes from our correspondents
I hurt my ankle 7 1/2 months ago. After eight doctors, three x-rays,
two MRIs, one EMG, and a bone scan. I still have not been diagnosed.
My physical therapist said I might have RSD about 5 1/2 months ago,
but no doctors have said so yet. Is it possible to just get a mild case
of RSD? When getting up in the morning, my foot turns red the minute
I put it on the floor. During the day it feels numb and tingles and
gradually swells up bigger and bigger. During the night the swelling
goes down and it returns to a natural color. At first I was in so much
pain my physical therapist told me not to try to walk, because I was
twisting my back too much, and eventually that would damage my back.
About two month ago the tip of my little finger went numb, perhaps from
using crutches for 5 1/2 months. Maybe I was holding them wrong, I don't
know for sure. About a month ago I was visiting my Mom and I was walking
with my crutches and I pinched the nerve under my big toe in my good
foot. The pain was horrible; it felt like I had stepped on a piece of
glass. Perhaps it happened because of lack of exercise of that big toe.
Two months ago my doctor prescribed pool physical therapy, which seems
to have helped, so two weeks ago I started to walk again. I can now
walk for about five minutes before it becomes too painful, so yesterday
I gave up my crutches, although it is still a little bit painful for
me to walk without them. Now all I have is my wheelchair for long distances.
From reading all of your stories, if I have RSD, I gather it's to late
to treat my case with pain blocks.
Thanks for sharing you stories with me.
Hi,My name is Keith Delaney and
my story starts at the end of January 2003. I broke my wrist in an accident
at work and after the removal of the cast I was diagnosed with RSD.After
six agonising weeks in plaster the nightmare was just beginning. I found
the burning pain in my hand spread up my arm and into my shoulder with
little relief from the medication I was on.This went on to the end of
May when I decided I'd had enough. I had to help myself any way I could
and I surfed the net trying to find as much info as possible on RSD.
I was intrigued by the stories I read regarding HBOT and decided to
give it a try. I found out that MS Centres use HBOT for MS sufferers
but have also had good results with RSD sufferers too. I rang the nearest
one to me and was told I'd be welcome. I started treatment on June 3rd
and I had 17 dives in three weeks. By the end of week one I was sleeping
without medication and the burning pain had gone. All I had left was
a dull ache and stiffness and
swelling. By the end of week two the swelling had all but gone and the
stiffness was much improved. At the end of week three I felt GREAT there's
no other word for it. I'm a long distance driver and 4 weeks ago I was
contemplating never driving again,now I've just completed my first week
back at work and feel better than ever. I'm not daft enougth to think
it will never flare up again but I'm just taking it one day at a time.
I pray this letter gives hope to others in despair... Best wishes to
all RSD sufferers........Keith.
Thanks for the encouragement, Keith. Interested
readers can find more about HBOT by clicking here.
[Editor]