Comments on: My RSD Story

By: Silvia E

Silvia E — Thu, 05 May 2011 10:58:55 +0000

Hi Kelly, What is the name of the treatment your 12 yr old daughter had and where did she have it done? Is this the treatment only being done currently in Mexico and Germany? Please give us more information so that someone might be helped. My son was recently diagnosed. Fortunately he is in remission, but still suffers from other problems and I am not sure if it is because of the RSD. Doing some research on everything out there. Thanks and I wish your daughter continues to heal and get back to normal. God Bless

By: Kelly Sipes

Kelly Sipes — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:27:20 +0000

Hello, My 12 year old daughter, who is a competitive cheerleader and gymnast began having symptoms of CRPS/RSD in both of her legs in February 2011, and was finally diagnosed in March 2011. Her pain was so severe she was not able to attend school, sleep, or wear any type of clothing on her legs she had mottling and toe nail disfiguration. No medication helped her, and believe me, she tried so many different types of medications. She was on narcotics, antidepressants, Lyrica and different “nerve” building vitamins. Her neurologist is wonderful and took a chance on an investigational/experimental treatment that causes that nerve pain cycle to be reprogrammed. After 8 days in PICU she was weaned off of her narcotics and is pain free. Although she has a long road of rehab ahead of her, she is able to participate in her rehab without pain. We were lucky and had a MD that listened and was willing to go the extra mile.

By: Erin

Erin — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 23:05:44 +0000

Hi Emily,
I ran across your story as I researching information on RSD. I’m also in Austin. A few weeks back I went into see my doc about what I thought was a stress fracture in my right foot. Although we (I’m a RN) didn’t see anything on x-ray I was put into a surgical boot for 3 weeks, just in case (over half of all stress fractures are not seen on x-rays). I just saw my doc again this past Friday and the pain was worse and I was having a harder time walking. Over the past 3 weeks right foot had become progressively colder than the left, would at times be pale or even purple, tingle, or swell and be quite hot. Nothing made sense. When it was swollen and as I’d ice it I’d frequently comment that I don’t feel the cold of the ice. Looking back, from the beginning of my foot pain there was discoloration. I walked on my foot for a week in pain before seeing a doctor but remember looking at it and it being purple.
Friday my doc began to worry that I was showing many signs of RSD. He shot my foot with cortisone and an anesthetic which took away all of the pain and the temperature and color of my foot returned immediately! I’ve been experimenting this weekend with walking without my full boot on (which he prescribed for me Friday) and although my foot hurts to walk on it stays warmer as long as I use the muscles in my leg. Yesterday I noticed that my entire right leg has atrophied (shrunk) quite a bit and it is weaker than the left. Today I have feelings of tingling/numbness and coldness to my right arm and fingers.
I go back next week to see my doc and I’m keeping a log of my symptoms for him, but it’s not looking too good for me. I’m like you, if I do get a formal diagnosis of RSD, I’m going to fight like hell to overcome it. May be a bit harder for me than you, I’m 40 but no quitter, especially if it comes to physical activity!!!!
Your story is an inspiration to me and gives me hope that if this is in fact what’s going on that I have a fighting chance to maintain mobility. So far the pain isn’t too bad, but the temperature and color changes are pretty bad.
So, with all that said, I’ll probably begin my battery of tests to see what’s really going on. Fortunately I know a number of Austin’s Pain Management Docs so I’m sure I’ll find someone to help me out.
I wish you continued success with overcoming your RSD!!!

By: Magenta

Magenta — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:52:13 +0000

heyy Emily, Im a 17 year old chick from victoria australia i was diagnosed with rsd, crps, whatever you wanna call it …i kinda just call it serious ouchness… where im from there isnt a whole lot know about it so your story really helped me i still havnt found a doctor who knows what the heck it is… at first the thought i had lost my mind turns out its not just in my head … i just wanna say your a really strong chick

By: rebecca

rebecca — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 01:24:54 +0000

hi Emily i have rsd as well and Dr. Shapiro diagnosised me too i was wondering what high school you go to and just wanna say keep up the good work in physical thearpy:)

By: Emily Merriman

Emily Merriman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:52:13 +0000

Hey, Emily! I’m a 20 year old student in Austin (Also named Emily!!) who was diagnosed with RSD in my left leg from the knee down. I have been looking for a P.T. in Austin who specialized with RSD/CRPS and it was a lot harder than I expected! I finally Googled “Physical therapy RSD Austin, TX” and your page came up with a lot of great information! What is really interesting is that I know Kevin McHorse and am an old patient of Dr. Shapiro. My RSD was caused by my most recent back surgery in May, but three years earlier, I went to Kevin to recover from my first back surgery! I am so thrilled that he helped you with your RSD and I am going to call his office first thing in the morning!

Thank you so so so much!

By: Felicia

Felicia — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:58:07 +0000

Hi there Emily!

I found your site through Caf, glad to see you set this up, its a good way of putting it, hero lol.

I never looked at myself like a hero, only a survivor, thing is I dont think I am a hero but reading through the people on here, they sure are and you too!
It is attitude that gets us through in the end so I’m glad you are reminding the world of that!

Take care.