To

[Guest guest]

,

I thought your email from the other day was very inspiring. I totally get from

where you are coming from; I graduated from the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation

Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. It is just one of the many

notches in my belt as far as treatments and procedures to try to help me deal

with my RSD I have endured and undergone. A main tenant of the RIC program is

similar to the philosophy you describe.

What I struggle with, is yes, whatever I do will involve pain and be a major

effort, so what is the point? My RSD has progressed to the point where I am

extremely sensitive to sound and light, for example. I do not leave the house

without custom made noise reduction ear plugs and specialized wrap around

darkened sunglasses. I do go to the gym everyday (something I did gain from my

experience at RIC), but socializing and being around with people is unpleasant,

at best.

Things that I used to love, no longer bring me joy. Actually, I feel that RSD

has robbed me of any pleasure in my life. As an example, I am an AVID knitter,

and I tell people that if someone gave me a million dollars to spend at a local

yarn store, I would say, " No, thank you " (unless I could spend it on line!).

Since I am going to be in pain, I feel like at least if I am at home I can

control my environment, trying to be as comfortable in my discomfort as

possible.

I should add that, once a week, I see a psychologist who specializes in treating

patients dealing with chronic pain, as well as a three times a week with a

psychologist that I have seen since before I was diagnosed with RSD. In

addition to seeing psychiatrist twice a month,, I also go to a monthly RSD

support group (my only social outing).

I see people with RSD who have your attitude, talk about their vacations,

describe the plans they have for events they want to be involved in, and I

wonder what I am doing wrong. I question why I feel as I do, when others with

RSD seem to be " in a different place " from where I am at. Basically, what am I

doing wrong? I have spoken at length to my psychologist who specializes in

treating patients in chronic pain and well as my Pain Management doctor about

this.

Thanks!

Be well,

Jen

wrote:

> I figured out a long time ago, I'm going to have pain no matter if I sit at

home being depressed, so why not go out and have a life as the pain will be

there anyways. I never thought my life would be like this, so why not live it?