I have had a great deal of difficulty acknowledging when my pain syndrome began, due to many events leading up to it climaxed in 2006. I suppose I would have to point to 1987, when I was struck by a drunk driver traveling over 100 mph. I was crushed inside my car and had to be extracated by the fire department, thank god 2 off duty police officers were at the same stop light my attacker ran, they were able to have assistance on scene in minutes. My little brother was with me at the time and suffered a broken ankle, because he was in my car and pulled my body out of the way of the door caving in, I survived. I came out of the crash with a broken spine, dislocated shoulder, broken clavical (collar bone), damaged neck ligaments and numerous deep lacerations from the shattered window and the metal caving in over my head and neck.
I was lucky that I found an excellent surgeon, who repaired my spine. I was delighted after I healed and learned to walk again. I had beat the damage and was near normal. I wore high heals, I went dancing, I rode my horse several times a week. I was fine.
Then in late 1990, I was struck with cancer. Cancer caused additional damage to my already stessed bone structure. Again, I was very lucky to find wonderful surgeons and physicians to treat the rampaging cancer and I overcame. I felt thankful and blessed to have come through these trials and rebounded to virtually where I started. I foolishly believed I had overcame these health trials and would live out my life normally into late age as my forefathers had.
I spent the next 10 years doing great provided I did not strain my back with lifting or over exersion during exercise. I danced, climbed rocks, swam, horseback rode, basically lived life normally. I excelled in my profession. Life was very good. In mid 1999, I fell on a flight of stairs and injured my left knee. After several surgeons, it was determined that I had damaged the bone in the joint, as well as having torn the ligaments and miniscus. In 2000, I moved to Oregon and in December 2000, I had surgery performed on the knee. I found, however, that the knee was continuing to give me a great deal of trouble. It hurt constantly, refused to support me and burned with pain.
In early 2001, it was determined that I had RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) in the knee joint. I again had found a wonderful doctor, who referred me to an anesthesiologist that treated me with blocks performed in my spine under general anesthesia. My future husband (at that time) was very concerned with my continued difficulties with my arms and hands. I talked with my doctor in late 2002 due to my left arm pain levels. By this time I was suffering with extreme back, neck and arm pain, with severe weakness in my left arm.
