Reflex-Sympathetic-Dystrophy Books

My husband being recently diagnosed with this terrible painful condition has read several books about this RSD and truly finds this one superior and easy to understand and gives plenty of advice. This is a MUST read for anybody with this disorder.

If you have RSD, Dr. Hooshmund has now retired, however, he is 'the' Doc in inderstanding RSD. So even though it is a medical text, it is a wonderful book to have if you have this condition, or have a family member who does. Or if you know of someone with the condition, it would make the best gift to them (after you have read some of it yourself).

You will not get the information in any other book or article. it tells of an amino acid that we need that gets drained from our bodies and other pertinent information.

I find the book interesting to read
But the discussion on the topic on mechanism
producing the vicious cycle of sympathetically
maintained pain should be improved
The price is rather high for a narrow topic

RSD patients hsitorically have had to to seek out information for themselves on the nightmare called RSD as information and treatment move slowly down the medical and insurance pipeline. Although most patients and their families will not be able to completly understand the more clinical aspects of RSD discussed in this book, they can still glean basic information regarding currently available treatments and Dr. Hooshman gives space to a recommended diet. RSD patients often are given only minimal information/instruction about their condition and although some of the clincial aspects of this book may be frightening, most RSD patients desperate for a return to health and pain free living will work their way through the portions of this book that are helpful to patient and layman and avert their eyes from the portions that they are yet ready to learn about. Three cheers to Dr. Hooshman for publishing this valuable volume.

This book is an excellent resource for doctor's or patients with RSD. It is comprehensive and scientific.

This book is very informative for the newly diagnosed RSD patient. It has numerous treatments and therapies that can be helpful to relieve pain and swelling.

I am a RSD sufferer. I found this book to be extremely helpful. It is a easy read. In fact my Dad also picked it up and read it also. I think it was written exceptionally well. What else can I say???? But BRAVO!! and Thank you for writing this book.

ELENA'S BOOK IS A TRUE GUIDANCE THRU THE UNPREDICTABLE JOURNEY WE ALL FACE WITH RSD!!! WHAT AN ACCURATE TESTIMONIAL TO WHAT HAVING RSD CAN AND WILL DO TO OUR LIVES. SHE EXPLAINS HOW WE CAN ADAPT DURING THE COURSE OF THIS ILLNESS WITH A COMBINATION OF TREATMENTS! PROVIDED WE BECOME OUR OWN ADVOCATES EARLY ON AND PERSIST AND NEVER GIVE UP HOPE WITH ENDLESS DEDICATION TO HEALING AND WELLNESS.................................AWARENESS LEADS YOU TO ADVOCATE TOWARDS HEALING
A MUST READ FOR EVERONE!!!!
WISHING YOU WELLNESS,
TRACY ZUCKERMAN

I was diagnosed with have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy almost 10 years ago, when there wasn't much information anywhere about this condition. This book has up to date information and is a great reference tool for those with RSD and their families.

What a wonderful book! I felt so great after reading this book- there is hope and it is in this book! I am not alone and not only that- I can get better! Please read with an open mind- relax- and stop stressing- we can beat this thing!

This author shows an amazing level of maturity and sensitivity for one her age and a beautiful ability to share her experience.
She exhibits the mindset and perseverance needed to overcome daily pain.
What an example of courage and determination resulting in her return to a well rounded, productive life!

Patricia Forbes

This is a must-read for all chronic pain sufferers and their families! The author, Elizabeth Elster, does a fantastic job of portraying the all too common battle with pain many face every day. She exhibits true courage and strength both in her actions and her words. This book will inspire anyone, even those without chronic pain!

I can't believe that someone else has experienced the same thing that I am going through. Thanks to this book, I now know what to do about it. Elizabeth has given me some very practical advice and I intend to take it. I plan to give a copy of this book to my teachers, my doctor, my friends, and anyone else I can think of who doesn't quite understand what I have been going through for the past several months. Thank you Elizabeth.

This book is simple and short, and is a wonderful way to encourage someone on the terrible journey that is called rsd, crps,or rnd. Written by a young woman who has "been there" and found her way through, it also gives practical guidance from Elizabeth's mother and sister to parents and siblings of young people with rsd.

This is a wonderfully comprehensive guide that will help a lot of readers find many sources to cope with RSD. I have RSD and have found myself scavenging every resource I could find in an effort to find the peace I lost. However, I must say that if you are computer literate and savy with online searches, you will be able to find most of the resources in this book online. If searching online is a painful task for yourself or a loved one, then this book will help pool the resources in one place to help get on the road to pain-free living sooner than later. Thanks Mr. Parker for compiling all this data.
For more information go to [...]
And all of you with RSD, STAY STRONG!

Most of the information is available over the internet. It is good to have a lot of it in one book, but I would not re-read or recommend for purchase.

Book was purchased to better understand neuropathy which my mother has. The book helped alot.

I bought this book for someone else who is suffering from diabetic neuropathy that is not responding well to treatment. This person said that the book is "excellent" and that it provided clear, comprehensive information that s/he wasn't able to find anywhere else (including internet sites). Highly recommended!

Peripheral Neuropathy is a concise, inexpensive volume written in plain English. It will be useful to both neuropathy sufferers and their physicians alike.

Dr. Latov's expertise -- as a clinician, teacher, and a founder of The Neuropathy Association(www,neuropathy.org) -- is well-reflected in the text.

When both the doctor and the patient are able to discuss neuropathy knowledgeably as a result of reading this work, the disease will be better understood and managed

It was very informative. Author seemed very knowledgeable and credible. I learned new ideas for supplements to help my condition. Easy to read.

For all those touched directly or indirectly by reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS), LIVING WITH RSDS by Linda Lang and Peter Moskovitz, M.D., is a must-read.

In a thorough but entirely clear and readable manner, this guidebook illuminates every aspect of RSDS. A chronic pain disorder, RSDS not only changes--often drastically--the lives of sufferers but also affects the people who care about them.

For the patient, LIVING WITH RSDS is a valuable tool, a combination of medical information and practical advice. For the patient's family and friends, it's a much needed doorway to a keener understanding of just what the RSDS patient is up against physically and psychologically.

For every reader, patient and nonpatient alike, the interwoven personal story of Linda Lang, one of the authors, has staying power. An RSDS patient herself for the past decade, she shares her own experience and hard-won insights in an appealingly intimate tone that affirms the possibilities of a life well lived in spite of illness.

It goes chapter by chapter explaining this horrible disease to
family members and the medical community.This is an illness
that not only affects the patient, but their marriage, relationships, children, and their caretaker.No matter what
your situation, it affects your whole life.
It gives examples of personal stories of people's lives that
have changed forever.Although all stories and lives differ,
all complain of pain in the upper or lower limbs.
The Hallmark symtom is PAIN, unrelenting PAIN.
Most of these victims turn up in the E.R., where if you are
fortunate one or two professionals have heard of RSD and
will medicate you and refer you to a pain clinic.
Usually, patients are given medicine and told not to bother
the E.R. staff with a chronic illness.Unrelenting PAIN is
Hell on Earth.The suicide rate for this disorder is 20%.
Although women have the highest rate of illness-it can
strike men and even chidren.
People are sick and in pain but because so little has been
written of this disorder, they must fight to get S.S.D
or help of any kind.
RSD( reflex sympathetic dystrophy)is a neurological disease
the way Multiple Scerlosis is also neurological.
We also know very little of coping. Coping has been defined as the ability to deal with a situation.Trying to cope with pain,suffering,and disability creates emotional distress-the daily life of a person with RSDS.
Fortunately, the internet is bring patients closer and people are demanding attention and a cure... This book reminds you not to become your disease.If you
are in great pain, you will become angry at that statement.
If you are being treated and have some good days, I agree.
If you find friends on the net you can exchange ideas.
Also,you can build a friedship of similiar interests, books, movies,sports, recipes,decorating,etc. that take your mind off pain and validate you as a person.
There were some palliative measures not mentioned that
disappointed me.Patients are now recomended to have
aquatherapy in a heated pool. It is easier on the body and
more beneficial to a damaged part.There are many new drugs
and research not mentioned that show promise.
I agree with Keith, sympathectomies are usually not done because the ganglion of nerves grows back after giving a person
relief for 12 to 18 months.When the nerves grow back they
are angry and more painful.The disease process may also
spread to other parts of the body.
On the whole, this book gives some comfort issues at the
back-although I question the one of putting clothes in a
freezer, because ice does so much damage, but maybe it is
a special case. Keeping a pillow with you is almost a
necessity.
There is a good chapter on isolation. In the beginning
everyone tends to isolate,because of the pain.
Music in Church makes you hurt,large groups of people and
noise all cause more pain, so you gradually eliminate
your favorite places and people.
Later,if you have some control of pain or do better at
different times of day, do become active.If you can only distribute fliers or put up posters for RSD-let that be your
contribution. A little charity work goes a long way.Send a
card. Let someone know you think of them. Some people are too overwhelmed just getting through the day but you can let them know you care. Space yourself and your time and you will
find you can enjoy life more.
Share this book with your family and they will understand
that people with RSD can sometimes spend time with you
and other times cannot.They will feel less rejected.

Anyone who has CRPS (aka RSD or RSDS) MUST buy this book. There is so little accurate information available on the Internet, and what is available can sometimes be confusing or involve too many words that you need a PhD to comprehend. This book does a good job of explaining the basics of the nervous system and CRPS, and spends a lot of time discussing how to live with the disease. I will say that there isn't that much in depth information about treatment options, which is unfortunate. However, that's the only drawback, and with Living with RSDS to start you out, you can find reputable sites on the Web and start an intelligent dialogue with your doctor.

I am a kid who has rsd. Life with rsd is as close to hell as it gets. My doctor couldn't explain it, I couldn't explain it to my friends, I couldn't explain it to me: until I read this book. If you have rsd, kid or adult, I highly suggust READING THE BOOK! (It hurts a lot less than having a sympathedic block :)

I was injured on the job Jan. 2004 and since that time have been diagnosed and treated for RSDS. It has limited & possibly stopped my working life, however, being lost in a workman's compensation buracracy, I had to begin to learn myself how to talk to the doctor about RSDS. Not every patient reacts the same, not every patient is limited in what they can do - BUT - every patient will see their life change somewhat due to pain. This book was my beginning as far as reading material to help me to understand RSDS. It is very informative, easy to read & understand and offers insight on taking control of your situation. It doesn't talk as much as I'd like about treatment plans and options. I have never taken so many drugs before and this book calmed my fears somewhat of becoming an addict. I will continue to learn about this pain syndrome because if I do not, I can't depend on the medical world to do it for me. A very good book to start off with if you have been diagnosed with RSDS.

I have just been dianogsed with RSD and want to learn all I can about this disease. I have it in my foot from foot surgery and my DRS seemed at lost as to what to do except nerve blocks.

This was audio. I have Relex Sympatheic Dystrophy and I thought this was very good. It is hard to find any information on this disease. I have looked everwhere and it was a blessing to find this. I liked how the audio was put together. I would recommend this to anyone who has the disease or a relative or any friend of a person who has this dreradful disease!

When we first recieved this tape---I was very disappointed. The actual title is "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Causalgia in the Upper Extremity". My reason for the order is for someone I know who has RSD in the "lower extremities" But I gave the tape to this person anyway. Well, this tape is very informative and is not exclusive to upper extremities. The person I gave it to says "this is a tape I could listen too 3 or 4 times at least. It contains lots of information and is well presented wherever the RSD is located on the body". So I am very glad I did not send it back just because the title says "Upper Extremitiey" RSD is difficult to find professional written or spoken information on and this is a reasonable cost also.

All I can say is do the research yourself before you make any decisions. The SCS, while excellent in cases of failed back syndrome, is not the treatment of choice for RSD or CRPS as so many doctors want to confuse the general public now. Read this book, then read Chronic Pain: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy-Prevention adn Management by Hooshang Hooshmand and THEN make your decision. Don't believe anyone who says they have to "cut on you" to make you well.

This CD-rom is a complete waste of money. It consists of a bunch of PDF files, half of which don't even directly talk about RSD/CRPS. All the information on this CD can be found FOR FREE by typing the word RSD into google.