Hi Confused Mom,

 I can only speak of my personal experiance altho I have heard from many RSDers that they too have a compilation of many other problems. I have had RSD in my upper body ,arms and hands for 8 years this month, I was 46 when a carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand started the burn. I had 5 prior nerve surguries on my elbos and hands(some a second time) I think thats why it spread so fast...lots nerve damage. Well, since then I have developed sleep apnia, I was very physically fit then, nnow I am 70 lbs over weight mearly because I cannot burn any calories because minor use of my arms bring on severe pain..flreups. I have developed a spinal disc deterioation condition that has really accelerated and terribly painfull because the discs are so far gone and entrapped nerves all up and down my spine. This year I barley hyperextended my knee and it resulted in both lungs and right leg full of blood clots, I almost didnt make it thru that one....one day a swolen knee and a few days later woke up in the middle of the night and if felt like I was being stabbed in the left lung with every breath, I have to take blood thinners the rest of my life. Not moving around very much and gaining weight was the cause of the knee injury and everything that followed it! Yes, I started have trouble with my teeth too, they tell me its because the meds im on cause my gums to dry right at the tooth causing accelerated decay. Ive had pnumenoia for the first time in my life last year. Theres more but I dont want to write a book. For me, I have had lots of other problems too, but that really dosent mean it will do that to everyone as we are all so individule in our genetic build up. I will be 55 next week and male, thats a lot different kind of person than a young woman

Hang in there mom!

Franknberrie