The lack of public awareness and medical knowledge causes an alarming number of RSD patients to be misdiagnosed and made to suffer needlessly because of treatments ( or lack of treatment) which causes their pain and symptoms to get worse. It causes many of us to be diagnosed too late. Many of us can't find doctors who know how to treat RSD. We have to fight to get the coverage we deserve and need from social security, workman's comp., and insurance companies. We lose our jobs due to our disabilities and this is often followed by losing our homes, possessions and even our families!! Although the number of RSD victims continues to rise, research and treatments are virtually non-existent!! It is now believed that for every Aids patient in America, there are atleast 10 times as many RSD patients!!

I have had RSD since I slipped on the ice in Feb. 1998 and hit my finger as I landed on a cement sidewalk. My condition has spread and now includes my entire left arm, neck, side of face, left eye, upper back and right ankle. I suffer from constant burning pain, dizzy spells, black outs, mood swings, depression, insomnia, lack of energy, memory problems, visual disturbances and more.

My life was TOTALLY changed the day I fell! I can no longer work. My 9 year old daughter does more around the house than I do most days! I can't attempt even the smallest of tasks many days. Most people can't understand why I am constantly in pain, can't work and barely function but RSD has totally changed my life. It has taken away my dreams, my friends, my life as I had wanted to live it.

I was very lucky to find a terrific online support group PAIN PAL'S RSD SUPPORT which supplies me with much support, encouragement and information. Here I have found people who really understand! I could not get thru this without them. Please feel free to visit their web site to see what they have to offer!! (www.angelfire.com/me2/rsdpainpals) I also have gotten alot of strength, support, information and friendship through meeting many other RSD victims thru a daily digest (RSDLife Digest) which I receive, as well as participating in chats, message boards and more with many of my online "family" .

Sincerly....

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RSD OR MY ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP (PAIN PAL'S) , RSD CHAT ROOMS, ICQ RSD INTEREST GROUP, RSD MESSAGE BOARD AND MORE PLEASE VISIT MY HOMEPAGE:PAIN PAL'S RSD SUPPORT

FOR THE MOST COMPLETE LISTING OF INFORMATION ON HELPFUL SITES FOR RSD'ERS ON THE NET PLEASE VISIT MY LINK PAGE:PAIN PAL'S MEDICAL LINKS & RSD SUPPORT . You will find 100's of links for information on RSD, treatments, articles, medications and doctors, W/C, SSD, Support groups, RSD Awareness, other common medical conditions and much, much more. The list will be updated every 4-6 weeks!

WISHING YOUR PAINFREE DAYS AND RESTFUL NIGHTS! -jessi-ann

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