Hi! My name is Tony. This is a brief account of my life and
RSDS.
I had a road traffic accident in Nov 1993.
I suffered some injuries to my (l)knee,(l)wrist and lower back (there were other
injuries that have healed ok so now not important with regard to my RSDS). Also
there was tissue damage and nerve damage only minor to start. At the time of the
accident and soon after, the doctors at the orthopedics department of my local
hospital did say that I would make a full recovery within months.
After I had recovered from the injuries, well that is what
was supposed to happen, I kept on asking the doctors why I was in so much
PAIN and why was I not better?
The first thing that the doctors said was that, when any
pending compensation claim was settled, I would then make a full recovery.
After many tests and examinations over two years I was told
that I had what was known as RSDS. Of course this implied that settling the
claim early would not mean that I would get better. But as I was unable to get
any satisfactory help, I did settle the claim early to show the doctors that it
would not make any difference.
This Demon has been a nightmare and has totally changed my
life and it does not get better; just last November I was told that not just one
but both my nervous systems were affected one with RSDS and the other with a
Visceral Disorder affecting my stomach nerves, making it very hard for me to eat
a normal meal without feeling ill or being ill and even drinking can cause
problems.
As far as pain goes the best thing was when the Pain Dr
told me there was no more that he could do for me, at first I wanted to kill
myself then realised it was good that he said that as I was no longer hanging on
for a MIRACLE CURE as this was never going to happen. As of the beginning of
2002 I decided that there is not a lot of help in this area of the UK, therefore
I am working with my G.P. to control the pain as best as possible. With my G.P.
and some pain meds I control the pain by doing things which I thought I would
never do this includes teaching at my local college part time, Knowing that
there is nothing out there, gives me the motivation that I have to do it myself
and "do it I do". It was so hard at first but I am getting there slowly after
all its been over 11yrs now and I am sort of better than I ever was when seeing
all the specialists.
I am due in hospital on the 28th June to see the specialist to discuss the
possibility of having surgery to my abdomen to try to sort out and improve
matters with my stomach and bladder as these are not functioning properly. I am
still not sure whether or not to have the surgery but which ever I decide to do
I am sure it will be for the best. I have made a decision today 29/04/02 not to
have any surgery on my stomach as that is more likely to spread the rsd so they
say, so I will be waiting a while to see how things go b4 making that decision
again.
With this in mind I have also decided to go all out to get my life back in
order, I am now teaching computing at college for adults as this is where i
learnt all that I know about computers and this is very rewarding for me. It can
be real fun teching mature adults as they take things in their stride and don't
care about mistakes so everything is a laugh including teaching them..
I also attended University as a student where I took a diploma in teaching &
Passed, as I thought that this would be the future for me.
UPDATE: Due to many more problems with my health I
do not have the energy to teach or work at all except for just 2hrs a week at a
local company as computer support for their office staff. I have spent more time
building up my collection of Zippo Lighters now topping 300. The pain is bad but
I am coping with it the best way that I can. I am not seeing any more
specialists except my pain management Doctor and GP, with their help I will
manage and carry on with my life best that I can.
UPDATE 2005/06: I am still working for the local company as IT Support, and also enjoying my holidays. My pain levels seem to have risen but I think this is more to do with my mediction not working properly any more, rather that the RSD getting worse. All the time I am managing I will not do anything to change as I feel the risk may prove to be for the worse, caught betwen the ( Devil and Deep Blue Sea ) as they say, changing could prove better but I am managing so will wait and see.
UPDATE July 2006: Having now suffered two heart attacks first on Feb 20th 2006 and the second 2 weeks ago 26th June 06, I am finding it harder to keep up the support needed to answer emails and maintain the web site on a regular basis, so please be patient with me if asking any questions or sending your stories, they will be done in time.
UPDATE November 2006: Not the best of years so far, I am having further trouble with my heart (some people might say that is cuz I don't have one) but the Docs are going to check it out again this Thurday we will see the results of that and go from there. Had to have and operation on my arm to help mobility that seems to have not worked as it is still as painful and still hurts to move it. My real concerns are with my family as my wife does not know how to cope with this now, she is always saying "what's wrong" and I keep saying "nothing" when there is to try to make it all seem better but that does not work. My 8yr old daughter is very scared as if anyone talks about my health in front of her she goes mad and tells them to be quiet. All this plays on my mind and I think I can honestly say that I am now so fed up with it all I wish it would end soon, knowing of course that winning the lottery has a higher chance than all my troubles going away. I have bored you all enough now so will go and add more updates as soon as I can.
UPDATE Oct 2007: Latest is MRI booked for my arm in November and have been diagnosed with Chronic Sleep Apnoea two months ago. I was told that with the sleep apnoea if I had no treatment I would have to hand in my driving licence, so I took the treatment a CPAP Machine (you will have to google that one).
Having felt like I had been put through the mill a few times over the last 18 months, I seem to be feeling better and the start of this was when I started the exercising, the pain was extreme but with the help of my GP and extra pain killers I have maintained a level of exercise that has reduced some of my weight which in turn also makes me feel better. I still have not had a cigarette since 22-02-06 the day of the first Heart Attack, was a 40 a day man, nothing like a heart attack or two to stop you smoking on the spot.
BONUS UPDATE Oct 2007: To add a little boost to my life on the 16th Oct I took Peugeot Motor Company & Peugeot Financial Services to County Court here in Taunton, Somerset because of a fault with the satellite navigation system in my car that they had been stalling over fixing, RESULT was I WON THE CASE THEY HAVE TO PAY ME. p.s. Sarah Emms from Peugeot Head Office if you read this the case was brought because your attitude towards customers STINKS.
