Bob - Illinois, USA

I was originally diagnosed with RSD in 1991 after an injury in Saudi Arabia, (Gulf War I). The injury ocurred in February of 1991. I went into remission in May-June of 1992. After being in remission for a little over 10 years, I injured myself at work on March 8, 2003. The injury was to my back and it sent a shocking pain down my left leg. At first I thought 'no big deal, but then my back tightened up and I felt like if I tried to lift anything else I would break my back. I went to the emergency room and they did X-rays which were negative. I went to a chiropractic physician the following week and he began to treat me for possible muscle strain or sciatica. Nothing helped, the pain in my back and left leg was excrutiating. Having experienced RSD once before I knew what was happening immediately. About 8-10 days into the injury I was on crutches and had develped RSD once again. It felt like nails or pins and needles going into my foot when I tried to weight-bear. I had temperature change, swelling, and color change. My left foot was at times purple other times bright red. It would go from purple (colder than normal) to red (hotter than normal) in a matter of minutes. Soon the spasms began and I would get sweating spells that would come out of nowhere. I was sent to a pain management doctor and he gave me a lumbar sympathetic block and told me to get rid of the crutches. Easier said than done. I went back to him the following week wearing a sock and flip flop but still on crutches. He was impressed and didn't suggest another block. On the first visit I couldn't even stand a sock on my foot. It was still painful but through drug therapy high dosages of Neurontin and Vicodin I began to walk again. I still had burning pain around the lower left side of my back and down my left leg. The signs and symptoms would come and go, but were more severe at night. My back was killing me and I had difficulty walking. I had an MRI which was negative and after undergoing physical therapy and TENS treatment the pain doctor put me at MMI and released me to full duty. He was under the impression that I didn't want to work. My job was merchandising for an Anheuser Bush Distributor. Basically throwing cases of beer around for 8 to 10 hours a day. He said he didn't care what I did there was nothing wrong with me. Anyway, I went back to work on September 27, 2004 and after doing light duty, mopping sweeping, cleaning, etc. I had an increase in symptoms. I went to the emergency room on the 29th and again on the 2nd of October. The first time for pain in my back and left leg. The second time because I was concerned that I had possibly develped a blood clot and I was not getting any pain relief from the Tramadol. The doppler study was negative, and this 90 year old ER Doc had no idea what I was talking about. He offered Motrin and sent me on my way. For the past 6-7 weeks the pain has been between 8 and 10 and I am unable to walk without crutches. I've had three nerve blocks and they have not helped at all. My wife and I are terrified that this time it may be a lengthy ordeal. I am currently taking Oxycodone, Methadone, and Nortriptylene. I have 3 kids and have been trying to avoid depression but it is getting more difficult with every day that passes. Only those that have had experience with this can understand the searing pain that is associated with this syndrome. It is as if your effected limb is in a fire-pit. For all those afflicted with this syndrome from hell... keep the faith and hopefully someday there will be a cure. We are doing good not to lose our sanity.