My Journey with RSD

I'm an RN who was diagnosed with RSD. (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) A chronic pain condition also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic disorder characterized by severe and burning pain. The way RSD begins is usually by an injury that starts the cycle of pain signals carried by the sympathetic nervous system to the spinal cord and brain. The pain signals turn around and trigger the sympathetic system back to the injury site. This causes inflammatory, swelling, and blood vessels to go into spasms that lead to increasing pain. This cycle repeats continuously causing burning extremity pain, redness of skin, sweating, and change in temperatures. If it is not diagnosed early and treated appropriately, it can lead to disability.

I am also a lampworker. I make glass beads on a torch. It's ironic that the need to extinguish the fire in my leg, fuels my need to "play with fire" on a torch. I have a wonderful husband, three fantastic kids, and 2 Siberian Huskies who think that life in suburbia should be filled with days of protecting our house from ducks and eating dog biscuits.