My daughter began the process of applying for SSD benefits in August 2007.  This was before she had been diagnosed with RSD, however, she was being treated by multiple "Specialist" and none of them seemed to know what was going on.  I kept trying to get them to tell me why her leg was blue in color and very very cold.  I straight up asked them if that was normal.  They all agreed that it was not normal, but also could not provide her with a diagnosis.  Each of them finally recommended someone else, but also did not give any sort of diagnosis.

 

In November 2007 we finally took her to the hospital, carrying her into the emergency room as she was not able to walk that night.  She laid in the emergency room for hours and the doctor kept giving her pain medication and none of it seemed to be helping. He also took x-rays of her leg and back.  He kept coming in and checking on her and I figured she would once again be released without a diagnosis and sent home, however, he was not willing to do that unless she could walk out of the emergency room on her own.  Thank God for that doctor.  She was admitted in the middle of the night.

 

They watched her all evening and a different doctor was assigned to her for the floor.  This doctor came in and ran multiple test and than came up with the diagnosis of RSD.  I was not there when she originally gave the diagnosis, but the next day I was in the room,  I asked her if she was sure that it was not Fibromyalgia and she said that she was absolutely certain that it was not and again said that she was confident that it was RSD.  Of course I knew nothing about RSD at that time.

 

My daughter has now been denied twice for SSD benefits and is to appear before the ALJ now.  I spoke to her attorney the other day and she feels that it may still be a year out before my daughters hearing.  My daughter lives in a mobile home, not in our house, but we are attempting to help support her.  She has not worked since May of 2007. 

 

She now has an excellent doctor (General MD) by the way.  I am so sick of Specialist, as they all seem to have their ego in the way.  The doctor that she has is definately interested in caring for my daughter, not only physically but also very understanding of her emotional ups and downs.  I am so thankful for her.  She has done a lot of research on RSD since she began working with my daughter.

 

When I signed up for this support group, I was not at all sure that the group would do anything for me.  But in reading everyone's dilemna I realize that everyone with RSD has a tough time and each person needs to just work hard to get through each event in their life.  It also makes me take pause on people that are fortunate to have good health.  Wish they would see each of you and realize how much they should treasure their health.