Lucy - Oxford, England

I was 19, and studying English at Oxford when I contracted RSD. Like all sufferers, I was certainly not looking for this, and had been enjoying an active life. I was lucky to receive a relatively early diagnosis, but was not treated entirely appropriately. Although an epidural stopped the paralysis, the pain continued. I have been through various stages, for periods I have been almost entirely unable to walk, at the moment although not able to work full-time, I can do most of my own housework and am tutoring part-time. For the first time since diagnosis, I am occasionally able to walk 300 yards. I've been interested to read about the treatments which have worked for some individuals, and those which few seem to have had success with. It is particularly interesting that a number of people have benefited from physiotherapy. Intensive physio, while obviously producing great results for some, has only ever exacerbated my symptoms and pain levels, so for those people who haven't found it works for them, you're not the only ones! Like most, I have had numerous problems with the medical profession, including incorrect psychiatric diagnoses. Doctors have often been puzzled and frustrated by my failure to improve with physiotherapy, and I have to say that for me my greatest and most long-term improvement has come since I stopped seeing doctors at all. I've been kind to the RSD, not pushed it, and just done as much exercise as my body can take. Over time, my condition really has got a lot better. I still see my GP very occasionally, and take prescribed medications, but steer clear wherever possible. For those of you who, like me, get worse with vigorous exercise, it might be worth trying my approach.
I couldn't agree with you more, Lucy. RSD is an individual experience - we each need to find what works for us. Derrick