What the heck is going on?

Dr. E. didn't know why I was getting worse and not any better, so he decided to get an MRI and go from there. Wait... Finally the MRI is scheduled and performed. Wait.. Nothing. Let's start physical therapy. Wait... I do two weeks of physical therapy and the pain and swelling only gets worse. Now I am able to get around in a Cam Walker with crutches, but the pain is getting worse by the day.

Two months have now passed since my initial injury and not only am I no better, the pain is horrific and you can't even touch my ankle/foot without me almost jumping out of my skin. I am taking Vicodin, Loritab, and Darvocet for the pain, and still can't sleep at night, so the doc gives me sleeping pills. Things are going from bad to worse quickly. The only way that I can describe the pain is: put your foot in a bbq pit and never take it out. It was the most intense burning pain I have ever felt, and I just knew that one day I would look down and see the flesh on my leg just falling off.

Dr. E. didn't know what to do, so he decided that a second opinion would be the best. Wait... I was referred to a pain management specialist. After spending 6 hours waiting past my appointment time, the doctor walks in takes one look at my leg, ankle, and foot and says, "You have RSD. We need to get you in to see Dr. C." and walks out. Not knowing is horrible, now at least we know.

Finally, a diagnosis. Whew. Now at least they can do something to help me, but what is RSD? Those three little letters don't sound like much but they became a curse to me.