Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or RSD

What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystroply or RSD? I've never heard of it until I met Marla Martindale a beautiful young woman and a friend I've come to know. Marla will explain what RSD is and share her story about dealing with these difficult obstacles that plague her each and every day.

What is RSD?
RSD stands for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. It is a progressive disease of the Autonomic Nervous System with its key component being damage to a nerve, either major or minor. It can follow a simple trauma (fall or sprain), break or fracture (especially wrist and ankle), a sharp force injury (such as a knife or bullet wound), heart problems, infections, surgery, spinal injuries/disorders, RSIs (Repetitive Stress Injuries), CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, injections, and even some partial paralysis injury cases. As many as 65% of RSD cases come from soft tissue injuries; such as burns, sprains, strains, tears, and most of the problems that end in “itis”; bursitis, arthritis, and tendonitis to name a few.

When were you diagnosed with it and what caused it?
I was diagnosed with RSD in November 2004 after my cast came off. Why did I have a cast on you ask. Well, in October 2004 I broke my left ankle on both sides. The trauma of the break caused the nerve damage. Things were going along well, or as well as possible until I went to the dentist in October 2006. (October doesn't seem to be my month), I had taken all the precautions from the RSD Organization that a dentist is suppose to take with RSD patients, and he followed them to the letter. My system was just to eager to go haywire on me which had my body shaking so much I looked like I had a severe case of Parkinson's Disease. Needless to say I have been fighting the effects ever since.

How do you deal with it daily?
It's not an easy thing to deal with at all. You never realize how easy your life was prior to having any debilitating disease until you aren't able to do all the things you use to do anymore because the pain stops you in your tracks. You basically have to be mentally strong in order to convince yourself that getting up and walking across the floor is not going to kill you.

You first make sure there is nothing in your path and start walking, trying to go to your "Happy Place" all the while silently telling yourself each time your foot hits the floor, "It's just the rug, it's soft, it won't hurt" over and over again until you reach your destination. Every time you want to take a shower you have to totally psyche yourself up to be able to endure the pelting of the water, and the difference in temperatures, because when it feels like luke warm water to the unaffected side, it is scolding hot to the affected side and if it feels like cool water to the unaffected side, it is freezing to the affected side. Brushing your teeth is something of an adventure each time, because it seems as if when you just get it all figured out on how much pressure to apply, the next day it seems to change up on you.

Washing your hair is not as easy as it once was. The simple rubbing on the head causes severe pain that is worse then any migraine I ever had. So, how do I handle all these obstacles each and every day? Well, simply put, I thank God for giving me this disease so I could learn so much about myself, I smile everyday no matter what, I stay focused on all the positive aspects in my life, I am blessed with a husband and family that are completely supportive and encouraging, and I keep myself busy with my home business.

What are your treatments?
In the beginning I did several months of agonizing physical therapy just to learn to walk again. Along with that I had several nerve blocks that lasted about 30 days. I did take prescription drugs like steroids and pain medicine. The RSD has now progressed beyond the help of physical therapy and after the ordeal at the dentist office, depression set in and my primary doctor could not prescribe the type of medications needed for me to handle everything, so she referred me to a psychiatrist that had experience in dealing with patients who suffer with RSD and not only could prescribe those medications, but could help me deal with everything. There are not many treatment options with this disease as there is no known cure or no set plan for any remedies to help muddle through as yet, but research is always being done and new tests and treatments are being discovered all the time.

And now a little bit about me:
My name is Marla Martindale. I was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on May 29, 1962, the youngest of two, my brother is 2 years older than myself and still lives in St. Joseph. I moved to Texas when I was 21 and loved the state so much I never moved out, just other towns within the state. I have been married for 15 years, but we have been together for 20 years. I have 3 children, ages 27, 26, and 21 and 2 grandchildren ages 4 and 3. I live in Abilene, Texas. I have a home based business that I love and is becoming very successful since I now have the time to work it. I am currently working on getting stronger so I can make a trip to Atlanta, Ga in August for our annual company convention and nobody will know there is anything wrong with me.

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Thank you Marla for taking this time to educate us about Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. We both agreed it's important to let as many people become aware and learn about this disease. I wish you a mountain of strength each day to conquer your pains. You are an incredibly strong woman and you're truly an inspiration. :)

If you have any questions about RSD or Marla's home based business, visit her website at http://www.4yourtomorrow.com or you can email her at either one of these addresses: here4yourtomorrow [AT] yahoo [DOT] com or mrtndle4 [AT] sbcglobal [DOT] net