Is this really RSD?

Hello,
I have searched constantly for the last few years to determine the cause of my chronic conditions. It is a long story but I will give the main points. As a young child, I was athletic and well behaved. I played baseball, competed in gymnastics and learned some piano. I was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlautter's Disease at 10 and also remember suffering from UTI's starting at age 6. I was sexually assaulted at age 11 by a family member which I feel caused a domino effect, now known as my life. My teenage years were filled with drug use of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine,mushrooms, LSD, and any other mind altering substance I could find. I was sexually promiscuous from the age of 12. I had one partner, who was extremely physically abusive, from the age of 14-19 years old and became pregnant at 16. My pregnancy and birth of my son changed my life. I stopped the drug use while pregnant and after his birth, I continued to taper off the cigarettes and marijuana. I moved to Florida for a fresh start and to attend college. I did spend about one year experimenting with ecstasy at age 19. I eventually quit all drug use and began to get physically healthy. I went to the gym, ate right, and tried to make the best of my life by becoming super absorbed in college while working full time and having a little one. The long days as a waitress took a toll on my knees. It was recommended that I have arthroscopy in 2001, but I could not do it with no help with a 2 year old! My knees hurt frequently and I iced them on a normal basis. But I continued to work out, play sports and work. My chronic UTI's increased in frequency and severity over the years until now I get them almost every month and the pain can be debilitating. My next relationship was tainted with trauma from both of our childhood's and did not work out. I had another child. I was on and off of depression and anxiety medicine. The knee pain increased as my need to work increased. I was offered a position with a large retailer when I finished college. This position required me to be on my feet 12+ hours a day, 5 days a week and also was extremely stressful. I became the victim of sexual harassment and was allowed 2 weeks off while the store manager was investigated and eventually fired for the sexual harassment. During these months, I was constantly sick with colds, infections, and also developed an infection that turned into MRSA. I began taking anxiety and depression medications again. My knees were in so much pain from the overwork, but I didn't have a choice while raising two children on my own. Eventually, I broke down and had the arthroscopy. Initial MRI's showed meniscus damage in both knees. The surgeon repaired a "minor tear" in the left meniscus, but stated that the original MRI was inaccurate. Nothing wrong with the right knee. I was told that the recovery time would be 2-3 days. After 6 days, I returned to work in tears and with a bottle of pain medication. I was pressured to work 13 consecutive days, in extreme pain, before I had another break down and applied for short-term disability. During this leave, I was in a car accident in which I was not at fault. I had whiplash and muscular damage. I was again required to have an MRI, which at this time, showed a thyroid nodule, a herniated disk, and an ovarian cyst. I was off work for three months and was seen by a urologist, a pain management doctor, rheumatologist and my primary care doctor. They agreed it was fibromyalgia. I received trigger point injections in my back and neck which eased the pain of muscle spasms. However, my legs had never stopped hurting since the surgery. My surgeon just said "they should feel better", but ordered a nerve conduction study and a brain MRI. All negative. In the midst of all the medical issues, I began a relationship that quickly became unhealthy after I learned of cheating and lies. This was a very painful situation for me, as I was sure this was "the one" before being betrayed. I continued on pain medication, anxiety and depression medication, as well as anti-inflammatory medications. I developed chronic constipation, lost weight and found myself in major depression. I have been recovering from this emotional trauma for almost a year. A new pain management doctor has been treating me for RSD. He did 2 sympathetic nerve blocks; the first seemed to work for a few days, but the second seemed to have no effect. My pain and depression medications have predictably become less effective. I am now taking 9 medications daily,seeing a therapist, a psychologist, and will start PT this coming week. So here is my question! My knees hurt all the way down to my toes, constantly with no relief. My toes go numb, my legs turn shades of purple and the bottoms of my feet hurt. Does this sound like RSD? Having given an overview of my medical history, does this seem to be a likely diagnosis? Is there anything else that perhaps has not been considered? My life is in shambles. I want to be healthy, both mentally and physically. Is there any hope besides drugging my body for the rest of my life? I am ready to take a "drug holiday" to see if my body can fight on its own. Please help.

[drrajgopal18]

Hi,
I am really sorry to read about your struggle with life as well as illness . It is really unfortunate but your symptoms are suggestive of RSD.The symptoms of RSD/CRPS often progress in three stages—acute, dystrophic, and atrophic.
The acute stage occurs during the first 1–3 months and may include burning pain, swelling, increased sensitivity to touch, increased hair and nail growth in the affected region, joint pain, and color and temperature changes.
The dystrophic stage may involve constant pain and swelling. The affected limb may feel cool to the touch and appear bluish in color. Muscle stiffness, wasting of the muscles (atrophy), and early bone loss (osteoporosis) also may occur. This stage usually develops 3–6 months after onset of the disorder.
During the atrophic stage, the skin becomes cool and shiny, increased muscle stiffness and weakness occur, and symptoms may spread to another limb. The treatment plan involves many aspects . For the complete information about the disorder and treatment , please visit the site -http://www.neurologychannel.com/rsd/treatment.shtml. Hope this helps you . Take care and regards !