How to Cope With Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (R.S.D.) is a vicious, progressive disease that affects the autonomic nervous system. It can strike at any age and medical science has yet to unravel its mysteries. Some people will get R.S.D. after injuring their hand or foot. R.S.D. is not limited to the limbs. It can affect any part of the body. It can be triggered my minor injuries such as a sprain or a cut. After the injury heals the brain should simply "forget" the pain that you had. In R.S.D., there is an abnormality somewhere in the nerve pathways. This creates chaos in the nerve signals. R.S.D. causes a myriad of symptoms. The affected limb becomes swollen and very sensitive to the slightest touch. Other symptoms include intense pain, sweating, stiffness, and color changes. Here is some information to help you cope with this frustrating disease.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Discuss a medical plan that is tailored to your condition. Your physician will help you find the most effective treatment available. He should also provide you with referrals to pain specialists.

2. Make an appointment with a pain management physician. He will discuss sympathetic nerve blocks with you. These nerve blocks can help to disrupt pain signals that are being sent to the affected limb.

3. Learn a new hobby. R.S.D. is a brutal disease and you will have to find ways to vent your feelings. Until it goes into remission, you may severely suffer. The excruciating pain will affect your quality of life. Try to find a way to overcome these difficult moments. Some patients paint, draw, sew, or do puzzles. The goal is to distract yourself from the pain that you are feeling.

4. Find an online R.S. D. buddy. Create a friendship with someone else who has been diagnosed with R.S.D. Make a promise to each other that you will try to be there for support when the pain becomes severe. An online friendship is a great thing to have when you can't sleep because of the pain. R.S.D. creates many sleepless nights. Find someone that you are comfortable with.

5. Enroll in a physical therapy program. Your therapist will give you exercises that can prevent stiffness. You should use your R.S.D. limb as much as possible. Stay committed to your exercise regimen. Schedule time to do your exercises. This will ensure that your limb stays as flexible and mobile as possible.

6. Try to use the affected limb as much as possible. Our instinct when we have pain is to not use the affected body part. This notion can be detrimental when it comes to this disease. If you do not use the R.S.D. affected limb, the pain becomes more severe. It can create stiffness so severe, that it can lead to wasting away of the muscles and tissues. The joints may also show signs of osteoporosis.

7. Follow your medication schedule. Do not miss any doses of your medication. If your medications are not working for you, discuss it with your physician. There are many oral medications that are helpful when dealing with neuropathic pain. Discuss narcotics with your doctor. Some patients are afraid of taking narcotics for fear of addiction. Using narcotics has always been controversial because it works in some patients but not in others. Know that addiction problems are unlikely when medication is taken as prescribed.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not give up. R.S.D. is a hard battle to go through but it can be done.

• Keep a journal. This will help you to vent your emotions when it feels as if no one understands what you are going through.

• Educate your family. They may not understand how you can be in so much pain if there isn't an injury visible.