Rod Farmer - Denver, CO

I am 45 years old and I broke my left ankle when I was fishing in the foot hills of Boulder Colorado. I was walking down a hill and simply turned my ankle; but it snapped and down I went. When I looked at my foot it was pointing in the wrong direction and I knew this was serious. My fishing partner and a fireman that just happened by carried me in the fireman's cradle about a 1/4 of mile to the truck so I could be driven to the hospital.

Seven weeks later when the cast came off. I felt a very strange feeling in my foot and ankle and, by the next week when I was suppose to go back to the doctor, there was no way I was going to walk on this foot. The doctor told me I might have CRPS, which is another name for RSD, and he fixed me an appointment with a primary doctor to confirm the condition. Meanwhile they gave me 4 weeks therapy to re-strengthen my legs. Since I couldn't walk on it strengthening was a bit difficult. After two more weeks I saw the primary doctor who also suspected RSD and referred me to a specialist. That was another three weeks and a full 2 months since I originally broke the ankle. The specialist took one look and confirmed the diagnosis. By that time the ankle was swollen and couldn't carry any weight, the skin was blue, I had extra hair on the top of my foot and the toe nails on my right were longer than my left.

The specialist gave me three prescriptions - a pain patch that works wonders if you can bear the adhesive, a drug called Topamax and a high blood pressure pill and pills to help me sleep. The Topamax made me just about go nuts. It affects short term memory, so I tended to forget what I did yesterday, and the slightest little thing would upset me. The doctor also prescribed four spinal blocks that didn't feel good at all.

About 8 months after the break the blue went away, the hair became normal and I no longer needed the pain patch. The doctor told me the RSD was going away and I should call him only if the pain starts again.

The worst thing about RSD is that not enough Doctors know how to diagnose it and it goes on too long before people get the help they need. I am one of the lucky few who get through this - but it was a tough fight and it still hurts a bit. This is my story. Hold your head high and don't let RSD get you down. Keep you spirits high and pray like I did.

Thanks for the story, Rod, and for your upbeat ending.