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RSD a 5k and me....dial up warning...pictures...
Today I ran my first 5k. I know no biggie right?
Here's a little background. I have RSD/CRPS:
What is complex regional pain syndrome?
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition most often affecting one of the limbs (arms, legs, hands, or feet), usually after an injury or trauma to that limb. CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous systems. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system involves nerve signaling from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. CRPS is characterized by prolonged or excessive pain and mild or dramatic changes in skin color, temperature, and/or swelling in the affected area.
There are two similar forms, called CRPS-I and CRPS-II, with the same symptoms and treatments. CRPS-II (previously called causalgia) is the term used for patients with confirmed nerve injuries. Individuals without confirmed nerve injury are classified as having CRPS-I (previously called reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome). Some research has identified evidence of nerve injury in CRPS-I, so the validity of the two different forms is being investigated.
CRPS symptoms vary in severity and duration. Studies of the incidence and prevalence of the disease show that most cases are mild and individuals recover gradually with time. In more severe cases, individuals may not recover and may have long-term disability.
*snip*
What are the symptoms of CRPS?
The key symptom is prolonged pain that may be constant and, in some people, extremely uncomfortable or severe. The pain may feel like a burning or “pins and needles” sensation, or as if someone is squeezing the affected limb. The pain may spread to include the entire arm or leg, even though the precipitating injury might have been only to a finger or toe. Pain can sometimes even travel to the opposite extremity. There is often increased sensitivity in the affected area, such that even light touch or contact is painful (called allodynia).
People with CRPS also experience constant or intermittent changes in temperature, skin color, and swelling of the affected limb. This is due to abnormal microcirculation caused by damage to the nerves controlling blood flow and temperature. An affected arm or leg may feel warmer or cooler compared to the opposite limb. The skin on the affected limb may change color, becoming blotchy, blue, purple, pale, or red.
Other common features of CRPS include:
changes in skin texture on the affected area; it may appear shiny and thin
abnormal sweating pattern in the affected area or surrounding areas
changes in nail and hair growth patterns
stiffness in affected joints
problems coordinating muscle movement, with decreased ability to move the affected body part, and
abnormal movement in the affected limb, most often fixed abnormal posture (called dystonia) but also tremors in or jerking of the affected limb.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/detail_reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm
http://www.rsdawareness.com/whatisrsd.htm
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition most often affecting one of the limbs (arms, legs, hands, or feet), usually after an injury or trauma to that limb. CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous systems. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system involves nerve signaling from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. CRPS is characterized by prolonged or excessive pain and mild or dramatic changes in skin color, temperature, and/or swelling in the affected area.
There are two similar forms, called CRPS-I and CRPS-II, with the same symptoms and treatments. CRPS-II (previously called causalgia) is the term used for patients with confirmed nerve injuries. Individuals without confirmed nerve injury are classified as having CRPS-I (previously called reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome). Some research has identified evidence of nerve injury in CRPS-I, so the validity of the two different forms is being investigated.
CRPS symptoms vary in severity and duration. Studies of the incidence and prevalence of the disease show that most cases are mild and individuals recover gradually with time. In more severe cases, individuals may not recover and may have long-term disability.
*snip*
What are the symptoms of CRPS?
The key symptom is prolonged pain that may be constant and, in some people, extremely uncomfortable or severe. The pain may feel like a burning or “pins and needles” sensation, or as if someone is squeezing the affected limb. The pain may spread to include the entire arm or leg, even though the precipitating injury might have been only to a finger or toe. Pain can sometimes even travel to the opposite extremity. There is often increased sensitivity in the affected area, such that even light touch or contact is painful (called allodynia).
People with CRPS also experience constant or intermittent changes in temperature, skin color, and swelling of the affected limb. This is due to abnormal microcirculation caused by damage to the nerves controlling blood flow and temperature. An affected arm or leg may feel warmer or cooler compared to the opposite limb. The skin on the affected limb may change color, becoming blotchy, blue, purple, pale, or red.
Other common features of CRPS include:
changes in skin texture on the affected area; it may appear shiny and thin
abnormal sweating pattern in the affected area or surrounding areas
changes in nail and hair growth patterns
stiffness in affected joints
problems coordinating muscle movement, with decreased ability to move the affected body part, and
abnormal movement in the affected limb, most often fixed abnormal posture (called dystonia) but also tremors in or jerking of the affected limb.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/detail_reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm
http://www.rsdawareness.com/whatisrsd.htm
Along with the above symptoms I have spontaneous bruising and have been mistaken for an abused woman more than once. It's horrible.
I also had Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I've had a rib removed, multiple sympathectomies, and on more drugs than I care to remember.
I was diagnosed 20 years ago. It's been a very up and down for those 20 years.
I went through all the stages, denial, anger, grief, depression, acceptance (sort of)
I went through the darkest part of my life about 10 years ago. I was on far too many medications and spent/slept almost the entire day. Sometimes I would sleep for days at a time. I missed some things with my kids that I'll never get back.
I was so unbelievably weak, I could barely walk to the bathroom. I was wasting away and becoming dangerously disconnected from reality (a reaction to one of the meds). I managed to stay connected enough that I knew something was terribly wrong.
I went to the doctor who had prescribed all those meds, and told him what was going on. He basically told me that was my life. I needed to accept it.
I was devastated. Soon after my daughter graduated from high school. As I watched her, I knew this life could not be my life, I had too much more to do. I hadn't missed the big events with my kids and managed to have some time with them. But I was 'gone' for a few years.
I went home and dumped all the meds. I went to my family doctor and we began a plan.
It took a while but I was able to walk on my own I'd gained weight. And was managing the pain without pain meds. It was hard, still is. But I'm doing it.
Fast forward to three years ago. I quit smoking. A month after I did, my husband had a heart attack. Between that and the pain I packed on the pounds. Stress and such. I know it's no excuse, but I did.
I started seriously working out in April, I ran/walked my first ever 5k today (I'm 46). I've lost right around 35lbs, I have about 30 to go. My time was 38 minutes. I ran way more than walked. Next month, Sept 13 I will be smoke free 3 years.
I deal with RSD everyday, and it's hard, but everyday I choose to define me and not let it define me. That's not to say, I don't have bad days, God knows I do. Every morning when I get up, it's a struggle.
But I'll fight that struggle with every ounce of my being, because I will never go back to that darkness again.
My husband, 2 brothers, son, daughter, and friends ran today.
My son kept pace with me so he could keep me going. My daughter shot by everyone so she could get cheer and get the shots at the finish line. My parents came to see my cross that finish line. If I didn't have the support I did I don't know if I could have done it. My hands were so swollen and I was shaking, but I never felt so good.
There's a DU'er I'd like to say thank you to for all the encouragement, Behind the Aegis, THANK YOU!!! Your encouragement meant so much to me. When I hurt my knee and was side lined, knowing I had you to talk to/vent to was invaluable. Thank you so much!!! For real!!
Anyone that thinks they can't get out of that dark place or they aren't strong enough, YES YOU ARE!!!! I had the bottle of pills in my hand...and this is where I was today...
The monster mile ^^
Before the run me in the yellow, to my right my husband, then my son, to my left my brother, my daughter, my other brother.
I'm coming up on the finish line
my son and me after
I finished!
group pic
Ready for the next one!
26 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
it wasn't too hot and we had a nice breeze. Also a 5k is really on 3.25 miles, so not as impressive. 
Truly. I know what it means to fight being broken down by unrelenting pain and I can only hope to become as strong as you. Thank you for sharing this. 
with pain, and feeling broken is exactly the right phrase. I hope you're able to get to where you're feeling better.
The thing is, you have to be patient and expect that there will be days that will be bad, and that's ok. Every day that you feel like you've done better, it's an accomplishment.
It's a process. I will keep you in my thoughts!
the discipline to be a vegan and I wouldn't want to give up meat and dairy completely.
I have completely changed the way I way I eat. I eat very little red meat. We do a few meatless nights. I check labels, and try to only buy things without HFC and items with as little ingredients as possible.
We eat more fresh foods.
I don't eat for pleasure, but when it's meal time I make sure I enjoy it--I hope that makes sense.
I love to cook so meals are usually different and good. All my recipes are healthy.
Food/what you eat definitely has an impact on your health. So I'm always looking to get better, who knows by this time next year I could be a vegetarian. Then....
a very inspiring post! 
(Took me a minute to pick up on the 'Dye' aspect - when I got down to the group photo I was thinking "what the heck happened!?" I guess the runners got splattered with colors at some point?)
I am proud of you! I knew you could do it. It is wonderful to have such an amazing person to call my friend!
Thanks for sending it my way.
You're pretty awesome yourself!