What does mild reflex sympathetic dystrophy?

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a chronic pain condition which is characterized by severe burning pain, possible skin changes (your skin looking more shiny or different colored than normal), swelling, and extreme sensitivity to touch. If you have a mild case of it- it means that you don't have it severely yet which it could progress into moderate or severe, but most likely it should be fairly easy to treat. Sympathetic Blocks are usually the first step in trying to reverse this condition; they are usually done in a series. There are also many other treatments after that like medications, physical therapy, spinal cord stimulator's, epidural catheters, IV infusions that can be used if you don't respond to some of the other treatments. It's considered a chronic condition because there is no know "cure" that works for everybody. Some people are able to reverse it though. You can get more information at www.rsds.org

I was diagnosed in in 2001 after 3 years of pain and then paralysis. As for blocks or injects that icesk8er talked about, make those last resort. Not knowing ur medical history, just my situation, blocks not only are painful but worthless. Report It

I do not know about this particular dystrophy but in doing research on other dystrophies I have found that if you just do a general search on dystrophy many sites that have info on all dystrophies and myopathies come up. Some tend to be very technical but they are very informative. Hope you find what your looking for.

I agree with icesk8ere. I also have RSD, diagnosed 2 years ago, after comnplications from major back surgery. My legs, all the way up to my waist, are four times their normal size. It is painful to touch, so much, that I was taken off of work by my doctors and put on 100% disability. I have a red streak that goes up each leg, which has a slight fever in each leg. I have severe nerve damage in each leg. Because of the swelling in my legs, I can't wear pants and the only type of shoes I can wear are thongs. Nothing can cover my foot. I am losing all of my toenails. I have no feeling in the tops of my feet or in any toe. I have to use a walker to get around and it is getting so bad, that I am now in a wheelchair about 50% of the time. There is no real cure, unless the doctors can catch this disease very early. The problem is that most doctors do not know what RSD is. They have no clue, so until you get to the right doctor who can give you a correct diagnosis, you could slip into the next stage. Unfortunately, I am in the most severe stage. I have 3 toes on my right foot, which they are talking about amputating. They are turning black. I have been on diuretics for the last 2 years and none of them have helped, so on the 5th of July, I will go into the hospital to have a weeks worth of IV Lasix treatment donel This is my last hope. They have tried everything else. I've had all the trigger point injections, Sympathetic blocks, spinal trials and I do have a diilaudid pain pump implanted right now. It helps some, but I also take Methadone, Oxycodone, Lyrica. Cymbalta, Topamax, Lidoderm Lidocaine Patches, Ferrous Sulfate, Toprol, Vitamin D, DoleQ-Lace, and others that I can't even think of now. I am 100% fatigued all the time, have memory loss, can't concentrate, have trouble speaking, have a lot of trouble sleeping (I take a prescription sleeping pill) and a lot of other stuff. I would not wish this disease on my worst enemy. This is the most painful disease I could ever have imagined. I just pray that they will soon find a cure, because it is really taking me downl To all of those who have RSD, God Bless You and Best of Luck!

I also have RSD. Was diagnosed 3 years ago after I severely broke my ankle. It is such a painful ordeal to have to cope with. If yours is mild now, be grateful because it will get worse I promise you. It was mild with me at first and I went through months of physical therapy, spinal blocks and medications. It was great for about 1 year, then a simple dental visit set it into full blown status that had my doctor advised me to resign my office job, and she started the process for my getting 100% disability and referred me to other doctors. I too would not wish this upon my worse enemy, but I am glad I have been stricken with it because it has taught me a great deal about myself and the strength I didn't even know I had. But I do wish it would go away now....hahahaha.
Everyday people take for granted the normal daily activities we all perform like, combing your hair, brushing your teeth, wearing clothes, wearing shoes, taking a shower or bath, walking, standing, exercising, sweating, applying make-up, driving, having a pet lay on your lap, kissing, making love, using the restroom, concentrating, etc. I'm sure you are getting the picture. The mental fatigue you suffer is just as bad due to the lack of sleep. The reason you are unable to sleep, in my opinion, is because we have to have control over every function of our lives so when we start to sleep and our minds start to shut down, losing that control, we wake up and stay awake. My RSD started in my left ankle and now has spread almost throughout my entire body.
I have been sleeping in a recliner for these past 3 years because I can't lay flat because the throbbing feels worse then when I slammed my finger in the car door when I was younger. It is the most unbelievable pain you will ever endure, and you have it with you 24/7 365 days a year, every second of every minute of every hour of every day. Not to mention the loss of your dignity because you have to rely on others to assist you when you have a bad day or it flares up because of the weather. Aggravating at the very least. So if you know someone who has been diagnosed with RSD, be there as much as you can with understanding and caring respect. If you are the one diagnosed with RSD, enlighten your family, do your research, join support groups, and keep your mind strong. That is the best advice I can give, because until you are faced with it, you have no idea what it's like to be us.
Peace & Blessings,
Marla