Every Day That I Am Not in Pain Is a Good Day

Written for the RSDSA blog by Maya S. Hi! My name is Maya S. and I am sixteen years old. Shortly before my tenth birthday, I began feeling severe pain in my right foot, but I had not had any type of injury. In just a few weeks, I became unable to walk, wear clothes on my foot, or attend school. The pain that I felt prevented me from sleeping by keeping me up all night. I saw many doctors and underwent a battery of tests, all of which indicated that nothing was physically wrong with me. I was lucky to receive a diagnosis very quickly. Just three weeks after I began feeling pain, I was diagnosed with CRPS. I…continue reading

Podcasts, Pools, and Patience – Melissa’s CRPS Journey

Written for the RSDSA blog by Melissa Adams How and when did you develop CRPS/RSD? I had an Achilles surgery in May 2016. Shortly after the surgery I had a HUGE fall. The pain was so severe and different from the surgery pain. I kept complaining about it, but was told it was all in the healing. However, I knew something was wrong. So finally, after a year of speaking my truth, I received new X-rays and had an MRI that showed my “new” Achilles was torn and my heel had four hairline fractures. The doctor wanted to wait to see if the pain would relieve itself. It did not, so I had another surgery in September 2017. I was…continue reading

Battling CRPS Is No Small Feat

Written by Gina Clark for the RSDSA blog. How and when did you develop CRPS/RSD? I was officially diagnosed with CRPS in September 2019. I have had close to 10 years of injuries and surgeries that have led to a significant amount of trauma to my lower right leg, foot, and sural nerve. I was originally having pain on the ball of my foot in 2011 and it was then discovered I had a bipartite sesamoid. The orthopedic doctor performed a sesamoid removal at that time. I waited a little while to recover and sort of felt "back to normal," but I was still in pain even after some time. I went back to the orthopedic doctor (a new doctor…continue reading

None of Us Wanted Our Lives Altered

Written by Christine Sibley for the RSDSA blog. My name is Christine Sibley. I am a 43-year-old mom, athlete, body builder, and runner who also loves Jiu Jitsu! I am a certified nursing assistant at a senior living facility in North Branford. I describe myself in a present way, because although CRPS literally ripped these abilities away from me, I have very high hopes that I am returning back to all the things I love and the things I did that made me, ME! I tore my meniscus on November 5 , 2019. It was a typically busy day for me. I got up at 3 am to go to the gym as it opens 4 am. I did my…continue reading

You Will Survive This Storm

Written by Ross McCreery for the RSDSA blog. How and when did you develop CRPS/RSD? In 2005 I had a surgery to remove a cyst from my left wrist. Immediately after the surgery my entire arm started to swell right to my shoulder, and I started suffering from intense burning pain. My entire arm changed color and eventually I lost function of my hand. The search was on to find a diagnosis yet nobody was able to. In 2006 after exhausting all the resources available in the city that I live in, I ended up flying to another city (Vancouver) where a specialist in chronic pain made the official diagnosis. Shortly after diagnosis CRPS spread to my left leg after…continue reading

Find Anything to Help Cope

Written by Julianne Williams for the RSDSA blog. How and when did you develop CRPS/RSD? I developed RSD when I was 38. I fell down some outdoor stairs and flew into a parking lot. I crushed about eight bones in my foot and ankle. What has daily life been like since your diagnosis? My life has been destroyed by this disease. I was an avid runner and an RN both of which I have never been able to do again. My day to day life is totally controlled by pain. I have no ability to make plans because I never know how bad my days will be. What is one thing you wish those without CRPS/RSD could understand? I wish…continue reading

My Life and Pain Levels are Constantly Changing

Written by Jessica L. for the RSDSA blog. How and when did you develop CRPS/RSD? I first developed CRPS in June of 2014 at the age of 16. On June 12th I was playing Giant Jenga with friends when someone lost their balance and came down hard on my left foot. I had broken that foot four times in the past and barely thought anything of it. A few days later my foot began to change colors, swell, and become cold. Soon the pain was too bad for me to walk, but when I went to the doctor nothing was broken. After weeks of increasing pain I was referred to a pain specialist and was seen a few weeks later.…continue reading

A High Degree of Uncertainty

This piece was written by Jenny Picciotto and first appeared on ForGrace.org. My journey with chronic pain began with a repetitive stress injury to my foot from playing tennis. Tennis was new for me, but it was an activity my husband had loved his entire life. With kids approaching college, I saw it as a common interest that would sustain us into our lives as empty nesters. I took up the game and dreamed of playing doubles together well into our sunset years. We joined a social tennis club where I found friends and developed a love of the game. My retirement fantasy was not to be. I developed pain in the ball of my foot that felt like bone…continue reading

In Tune

Written by Sue Racaniello for the RSDSA blog.   My body used to walk through life unaware of it's surroundings It was a vehicle to get me to point B It's supposed to be that way, or is it? Should I feel every nuance around me? Every whisper of the wind on my hand, every inch of earth beneath my foot?   I'm still trying to sort this out And figure out how to go about I have to strike a balance To stay in tune with people around me While I control the pain inside thee   Each step with my foot Or grasp of my hand Transports me to a no mans land I hear people talking, And…continue reading

Continue Pushing, Continue Fighting

Written by Destinee Macklin for the RSDSA blog. How and when did you develop CRPS/RSD? On May 11, 2018, I was the passenger in a vehicle we were using to conduct patrol. During a routine traffic stop, a suspect bailed out of the passenger side of vehicle armed with a handgun. As I excited my vehicle to pursue the suspect, I took two footsteps and saw a headlight. I put out my left arm in fear at which time I was struck by a truck. I was able to gain my balance, continue to pursue the suspect, place him into custody, and retrieve the handgun. I was sent to shock trauma and six months later, October 2018, I was diagnosed with Complex…continue reading