Hi, my name is Doug, and I have been searching for some kind of support for families of RSD sufferers.
I am 39 years old, and have two children, a boy Derek, and a girl Kyri, ages 15, and 13 respectively. I met the love of my life 3 years ago at a going away party for a mutual friend. I liked her right away, and we fell in love. I was finally happy, for the first time in a long time. We would spend hours together, talking, laughing, among other things. Plans were made, life was wonderful. Then the pre-cursors to RSD began showing up. Stomach, and digestive problems, followed by red splotchy hands, and numbness in the fingers, eventually to full blown RSD in her wrists.
We had been through many trials in our relationship, not related to RSD, and revelled in the fact that we got through them, and were as strong as ever. RSD changed all that.
It has been 1 1/2 years since she became disabled with RSD, and I was ill equipped to handle the changes that came along with it. I struggled with the mood swings, and depression. The thing was, it not only lowered her self esteem, but mine as well. I was unable to understand what was happening, and worse, powerless to stop it.
The children moved in with us July as a result of unfortunate circumstances, and did not understand, and were feeling rejected, and hurt.
We were never married, as something was always getting in the way, not the right time, not the right circumstances, all of which seem unimportant today.
Arguments became more frequent, and negative. I initially attributed it to the RSD, and medications she was taking, but it became difficult to convince myself as time went on. It was her idea to move the children in, and I am sure it had something to do with it. Two teenagers can cause a great deal of stress.
We have split up, and it is killing me. I did not have the tools to cope with all that comes with this disease, and am desperately trying to acquire them. I hope it is not too late.
I am sure that this is not the only story like this one, but I am hoping to change the ending. Any help would be appreciated.
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