My Goal is to reach as many people as I can, to offer if only a small voice that encourages someone who suffers daily with this disease. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy a.k.a Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome is a disease that usually results from a traumatic injury. It is a neurological disorder that causes the healthy nerves surrounding the injured area to feel pain much in the same way that the injured nerves do. Causing pain throughout the entire area that is associated with the orignal injury site.
On October 28, 1993 I was injured on the job, when my right hand was caught in a label press. Two steel rollers simular to that of an old fashioned wringer washing machine, crushed my hand, wrist and forearm. As a result, I developed RSD, a pain management specialist dicovered that as a result of my pulling and trying to free my hand, I developed scar tissue in my right shoulder that continually presses on the injured nerves in my neck and shoulder. This causes severe headaches, muscle spasms and regional pain. There is no cure for this terrible disease. It can be controlled through pain management. I have recieved trigger point injections, which are very painful, a small dose of steriods is imjected into the effected areas to help relieve the pain. I have recieved up to 30 injections at one time. I have taken many different pain medications over the 9 year period.
Not many people are aware of RSD and it's effects. It only stikes it's victim, but also their families. The family can only watch as this disease takes over. I have missed out on particpating in my childrens lives to the fullest due to the severe pain day in and day out. There is never a moment when the pain is not there. It is for this reason, that I wanted to help raise the awareness of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. It can lead the one who suffers to a point of wanting to give up. Feeling that their life is no longer worth living. I have been to that point many times over the last 9 years. But, I want to encourage any one who is suffering with this disease or with anything that seems to be to much to bare, with this story:
I was working at the time of my injury to pay for my tution to college. I was going to earn my nursing license. That dream was cut short after my injury and I almost gave up on the idea all together. Then in 1996 I did enroll in college and with some accomodations provided, I graduated with honors from the Medical Lab Technology program. It wasn't my nursing degree but it was a step in the right direction. However, due to the pain, I had to post pone any futher education.
With research and development, a surgical inplant was developed. It's called a Spinal Cord Stimulator, SCS. My doctor suggested this procedure to me, saying that it is in no way a cure, but a better way of controling the pain. He could not guarantee me that it would even work for me, but he felt sure that the chance was greater that it would rather than not. I was excited about anything that could provide me with pain relief, however inplantation meant forever. I was scared and excited both at the same time.
Two small lead wires would be attached to my spine and threaded through the areas of pain. These wires would then be attached to small device inplanted in my hip that would send small electrial impulses to the injured areas, easing the pain. An external control device would allow me to control how strong the impulse would be and where it would be sent.
On June 22, 2002 I under went this procedure. It took about 4 hours to complete. I had to be awake, with light sedation, in order to tell the doctor if the wire placement was correct. After the procedure was completed the SCS was turned on for the first time before closing the incisions to insure that it would work properly. Instantly, I felt the stimulation in my neck, head, and shoulder. The pain was eased almost immediately. It was wonderful. In 9 years nothing had worked to relieve my severe pain and finally there seemed to be hope.
It took me about a month to fully recover. It has been a true miracle for me. So, please when you feel that you just can't go on and the pain overwhelms your body and your soul, don't give up. You are never alone and there is always tomorrow. If I have given up the many times that I felt like just dieing, I would not have ever gotten the chance to begin my life again. I was given that chance with this inplant. Now, my life is happy again, although I never thought it would be. I thought it was over. Miracles do come true, if you only have the courage to believe. |
