Losing the support of family and friends

Contributed by: Gillian
Published: December 24, 2009
Reviewed by: Kevin Zacharoff, MD

Gillian developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 8 years ago as a result of a fractured elbow. 

 

I have RSD/CRPS - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, also called - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.. I never stay in bed with this extreme pain I'm in and do go for long walks most of the time as I'm never going to let RSD win. But, I don't have Family or Friends Support, as 2 of my 3 older brothers won't even talk to me anymore, as they don't want to know how I'm doing. And most of my friends have left me too, as they have said, they want the old me back and that person is gone for good. I only have one true friend left now. This one true friend though, has never had to deal with pain so doesn't and won't understand, what I go through on a daily basis. I deal with all this pain, all on my own. I have a good doctor as he does know what RSD is. I do take opiods for my extreme pain, as it never goes away now. But I'm very careful with them and have always & still do, write down, when I take them.