RSDSA launches a $10,000 matching challenge for CRPS research 

By James W. Broatch, MSW, RSDSA Executive Vice President, Director In August, I blogged about Jen’s Gift, a posthumously published collection of Jennifer Abramson’s optimistic and spirit-filled postings from her Instagram profile. Despite suffering with Lyme disease, toxic mold syndrome, and CRPS which rendered her housebound, Jen posted beautiful unique photos accompanied by insightful quotes, clever humor, and wisdom which continue to inspire her readers today. In celebration of Jen’s life, Annie Abramson, Jen’s mother, has created a fundraising challenge for the CRPS community during November’s CRPS Awareness month. Annie has pledged to match up to $10,000 for every dollar which is spent purchasing Jen’s Gift or donated in Jen’s memory. All of the challenge proceeds will be invested in RSDSA’s research…continue reading

November’s CRPS Awareness Month is Fast Approaching

By James W. Broatch, RSDSA’s Executive Vice President, Director I want to reissue my invitation to the RSDSA community to participate in November’s CRPS Awareness Month. “As November’s CRPS Awareness month nears, I would like to offer our community members an opportunity to share their stories, their successes, hopes, and what ifs. We would like to share a story each day of the month on our blog and social media platforms. If you are interested, please email me at info@rsds.org Thank you. Best of health, Jim Broatch #CRPS #RSD #chronicpain #crpshope #rsdsa Please share or Retweet."  So far, I have received many commitments from individuals with CRPS to share their CRPS journey narrative but few submitted stories. Flex those fingers…continue reading

Former State Representative develops little-known syndrome

By Honorable Jennifer R. Lesogor-Coffey Manchester, NH, October 2018 Former New Hampshire State Representative and Civil rights Advocate has been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type 2. It is a disease that affects only 200,000 people in the United States according to National Health Statistics and the National RSDSA organization based in Connecticut. I’m a strong woman who is an accomplished award-winning published author, strong advocate for the rights of women to care for themselves, and a two-time cancer survivor. I hit my mile marker of five years breast cancer free this past September. I’m a strong advocate of promoting greater CRPS awareness to ensure early detection especially after being diagnosed with CRPS Type 2, the rarest form…continue reading

Swimming Against the Current

by: Jenny Picciotto November is National Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Month, and November 17, 2018 holds special significance for Konnie Parke. On the 7th anniversary of the surgery that led to her CRPS, she intends to celebrate in an unusual way - she will televise a swim-a-thon in her garage to raise awareness about this rare disease. Her goal is to swim for seven hours over a 24-hour period – in 15 to 30-minute increments - while live streaming the event. “Doing a fundraiser feels intimidating,” she says, “but it’s a passionate project of the heart. I can’t walk, I can’t run, I can’t Zumba, but I can swim. It’s my way of giving back.” In fact, swimming has become…continue reading

Sheryl’s HOPE

By Sheryl Rehs This is a story about adversity and fear. It’s a story about emotional and physical pain, but ultimately, it’s a story about acceptance and hope. Hi! My name is Sheryl and I’m 56 years old. I’ve lived in Tucson Arizona since 2005. I moved to Tucson leaving my entire family in New York due to medical reasons. I was married for 23 years, have two incredible children, ran my own company, and was truly overwhelmed with stress. In 2005, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). For 3 years I had horrific brain fog and fatigue. Divorced and remarried, I was a triathlete at that time and was in the best shape of my life!  For treatment,…continue reading

Another Rider for RSDSA

By James W. Broatch, RSDSA Executive Vice President, Director In October, a friend of RSDSA, Tatum Bunnett will be embarking on a bike ride across our country to raise CRPS awareness and funds for RSDSA. You can donate on her FirstGiving page to help her. This is what Tatum plans: "I am a recent high school graduate who was diagnosed with CRPS when I was in the 5th grade. I was born with birth defects in both feet which caused CRPS, I battled CRPS for 3 years. After months and months of therapy, I was able to begin living a more normal lifestyle. While I am incredibly lucky to be able to control my CRPS and live normally again, it…continue reading

Fifth Annual Color The World Orange for CRPS/RSD Awareness is Nov. 5

By The Color The World Orange Team Get your orange ready! The fifth-annual Color The World Orange for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness is November 5. Buildings, bridges and landmarks around the world will be lit orange on Nov. 5 including Niagara Falls, the Helmsley Building in New York, the Wrigley Building in Chicago, the CN Tower in Toronto, the Blackpool Tower in England and many more! In addition, a number of US politicians have granted proclamations recognizing Color The World Orange and November as CRPS/RSD Awareness Month. The easiest way to get involved is to wear orange and post a picture to social media with the hashtag: #CRPSORANGEDAY. Make sure to ask friends, family, support groups and…continue reading

Traversing the Minefields

By Linda Young Like a purveyor of fine wine or food, I am a purveyor of a neurological disorder that has impeded my body but not sacrificed my mind or soul for the past eight years. CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) or RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) as it is commonly referred to is worthy of the acronym “CRAPS!” One day you are waltzing through life easily and gracefully and all of a sudden you wake up one morning with a leg that is blue and mottled. No doctor is able to diagnose the problem as you rotate between all of them. First, there is the internist, the orthopedist, then the neurologist, the rheumatologist, and the pain specialist. Everything is ending…continue reading

Our Groundbreaking Non-invasive Approach to CRPS

By: Dr. Katinka van der Merwe Author of “Putting Out the Fire: New Hope for RSD/CRPS”. She practices in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Find her clinic on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/TheNeurologicReliefCenter/?tsid=0.4504157920998121&source=result Telephone: 1 (479) 304-8202 I set out on a journey eight years ago that made treating the nervous systems of those suffering from CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) not only a part of my life as a chiropractic physician, but my passion and my mission. My first CRPS patient was a man named Carlos, who suffered from full body CRPS. This case revealed to me how complicated but also rewarding treating patients who suffer from CRPS can be. I have kept in touch with Carlos through the years, and I’m delighted to say that…continue reading

Tracey’s Story

By:  Tracey Morales Hi, my name is Tracey, I'm 48-years-old, married and have two daughters. I've had RSD for 21 years. My RSD story starts in Jan 1998. A toy V-Tech computer fell on my left foot, fracturing two toes and crushing the MT joints (toe knuckles). After two weeks, I knew something was wrong so I saw a podiatrist, who by the 2nd appointment diagnosed me with RSD. He sent me to a vascular surgeon who confirmed the diagnosis. I went through 6 blocks and a 6-day epidural over 6 weeks.  All worked, but wore off within 24 hours or less. But I found the RSD came back fighting, worse after each treatment. My leg was now on fire, but…continue reading