My name is Janine and I am the manager and moderator on this site. I am also dealing with RSD. I was diagnosed with RSD this last October after having been injured at work. I never realized how that injury and the diagnosis that came after would change my life forever. 

RSD is very painful and there is no such thing as complete relief. In order to attempt to control the pain a whole lot of drugs have to be combined. We have to be so careful of anything we combine with our medication in order to protect the effectiveness of the things that we are taking to help us. Simple things like tea can have an adverse effect on our medications which is why we emphasize not doing any kind of alternative treatment without consulting a doctor. Even the foods we eat can increase our pain.

One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to take care of ourselves, not just physically but emotionally as well. That is the reason for this support group. This group is here to become understanding friend and a family who understands what we are feeling. No two of us are alike in this pain but we can sure understand the severity of the pain. We also know how hard it is to describe what we feel. Never be afraid of being judged here because you won't be.

Oh and be prepared because we like to give hugs here...sometimes the ones we give and get here are the only ones we can handle. So get ready cause here comes one:

((((((YOU))))))

Janine