How to Live With RSD (Real Examples)

Two examples below

Joey Lee

Joey Lee, a counsellor, had an accident which resulted in his having to undergo an operation to his right knee. Later he was diagnosed with bone marrow disease and had several operations, with no relief. Despite going from doctor to doctor, and having a lot of pain, he still could not find out what was wrong with him.

Finally he found a doctor who diagnosed him with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. As there are only pain relief measure for this disease and trying various different combinations he had a Medtronic Morphine Pump implanted into his lower left abdominal area. The pump induces morphine epidurally; via his spine, and directly into the spinal fluid. In early 2004, after reaching the maximum dosage possible of Morphine, the medication had to be switched to Dialaudid for more effective relief.

Clara White

Clara White had a normal healthy life, jogging 3 miles on the beach daily and going to work when she started having pain in her left upper arm. She had two surgeries which did not help and was diagnosed with RSD, which spread to her right arm. She had Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments which helped her without the use of medications, but she can’t afford the treatments.

She says she is in pain all the time, except when she is asleep. She often passes out and that is reason she is afraid to have a spinal implant to help with the pain, because she is afraid she will pass out again. She is planning to go to the Vanderbilt Autonomic Clinic, Nashville, TN to see if they can help her, otherwise she is resigned to living the rest of her life in pain.