September is Pain Awareness

month. Chronic Pain affects mil-

lions around the world. It does not

matter what causes the pain or

illness it does take a toll mentally

and physically. The goal of for

Pain Awareness is to inform oth-

ers of what we go through on a

daily basis. So from September 1

through September 30 is to do the

Pain Awareness 30 Day Chal-

lenge. Post/tell others of your

daily struggle with pain. You can

find more information on US Pain

Foundations website

(www.uspainfoundation.org ).

We will support bringing aware-

ness to help spread the word about

RSD or any other Chronic Pain

illness. So please support the cam-

paign to bring awareness about

Pain.

In one of the largest population

studies on pain to date, research-

ers with the National Institutes of

Health estimate that nearly 40

million Americans experience

severe pain and more than 25

million have pain every day

Those with severe pain were

more likely to have worse

health status, use more health

care and suffer from more

disability than those with less

severe pain.

“There are so many people in

the severe pain category that

something has to be done,”

said Richard Nahin, the lead

author of the analysis and lead

epidemiologist for the National

Center for Complementary and

Integrative Health, the arm of

the NIH that funded the study.

“If people are in the most

severe category of pain, what-

ever treatment they are getting

may be inadequate.”

Published in The Journal of

Pain earlier this month,

the study is an analysis of

2012 data from the National

Health Interview Survey. It

follows a comprehensive 2011

Institute of Medicine report on

pain.

(To read the full article please

visit the below website.)

http://khn.org/news/pain-by-the-

numbers/

September is Pain Awareness

Medical Updates— Pain Research Continued

A trip to the ER is no fun, no

matter how you spin it. When

you’re a chronic pain patient or

someone with a chronic illness that

can cause bouts of severe pain, it

can be a complete and to-

tal nightmare.

A patient with chronic pain can

help the Emergency Room staff to

understand that their medical

problems, especially pain, are a

legitimate emergency by following

a few guidelines and suggestions

that will lessen some of the un-

pleasant drama of going to the ER.

(To read the full article please visit

the below website.)

https://goo.gl/Fd8l82

Grover’s GrooveGrover’s GrooveGrover’s GrooveGrover’s Groove 2222

Laughter LinesLaughter LinesLaughter LinesLaughter Lines 2222

Spot LightSpot LightSpot LightSpot Light————Angels Making a DifferenceAngels Making a DifferenceAngels Making a DifferenceAngels Making a Difference 2222

GratitudeGratitudeGratitudeGratitude 3333

Spiritual CornerSpiritual CornerSpiritual CornerSpiritual Corner 3333

Our RSD Family of SupportOur RSD Family of SupportOur RSD Family of SupportOur RSD Family of Support 3333

TreatmentTreatmentTreatmentTreatment 4444

Inside this issue:

RSD Angel express

HEW

LETT-PACKARD

Volume 1, Issue 1

September 2015

RSD Fighter’s WallRSD Fighter’s WallRSD Fighter’s WallRSD Fighter’s Wall 4444–––– 5555

E.. I. (Emotional Intelligence)E.. I. (Emotional Intelligence)E.. I. (Emotional Intelligence)E.. I. (Emotional Intelligence) 5555

From R.A.E. Staff and SupportFrom R.A.E. Staff and SupportFrom R.A.E. Staff and SupportFrom R.A.E. Staff and Support 6666

Positive EmotionsPositive EmotionsPositive EmotionsPositive Emotions 6666

CalendarCalendarCalendarCalendar 7777

Reaching OutReaching OutReaching OutReaching Out 7777

Inside this issue:

sponse "yeah just Rollin around." If a

picture or video could have been taken, it

would win funniest home video. Moral -

don't swim with sharks

while in bed.

Fatman Chronicles – Swimming with

Sharks

Ok it must have been something I ate

last night for dinner. I had a dream I was

swimming and a shark tried to attack me.

Being the bear/fighter I am I started wres-

tling with the shark. It was a battle for

sure. I was winning until I rolled out the

bed. I was wrapped up in my comforter

when I realized what happened. My wife

wakes up and asked if I was in ok. Re-

In keeping up with Grover for the sum-

mer enjoy some of the photos of him

having fun.

Where is Grover? Enjoying his self por-

trait.

still involved.

She knew still had so much to offer and

wanted to find the opportunity for her to con-

tinue make changes to better lives. That's

when she started working to help the pain

community. A community she's a champion in

for out shining her multiple conditions that

have pain as a symptom.

Casey works with US Pain Foundation as their

Executive Director. She is responsible for

making sure programs and events help the

pain community gain knowledge, hope, and

empowerment. Casey also oversees the day-to

Casey Cashman has been an shining

star in the RSD community for years. Before

becoming a member of our family, she was in

the human resources field and a fabulous base-

ball coach for her son. Always trying to in-

spire others to be their best on and off the

field.

When she was diagnosed she knew she would

have to make some changes in her life so she

could still be the parent she wanted to

be. Instead of coaching, she chose to find

ways to throw the ball from sitting on her

porch and score keeping at games so she was

-day functions of U.S. Pain Foundation ensur-

ing that the patient voice is heard.

Thank you Casey for everything you do for us

all.

Page 2

Laughter Lines—Stories to Make You Smile and Laugh

Grover’s Groove—Having Summer Fun

Spot Light—Angels Making A Difference—Casey Cashman

“Laughter is always the best

medicine. Laugh, live, love.”

RSD ANGEL EXPRESS

Thank You RSD Lightning An-

gel and Grover for the submis-

sion

Where is Grover? Enjoying

the view of the ocean

Where’s Grover? Taking a

water taxi on his summer ex-

cursion.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

of heights also when I question what is being used to

help me reach the height. But I always overcome

that fear because I see it as I have to take a step

closer to reach Heaven. We have been taught that

Heaven is above us and out of reach. Or that we

have to “rise” above our fears in life in order to

remove the fear or doubt that we may have. Even

falling down which is my biggest fear when climb-

ing a ladder but I put my faith and trust in God that

He will guide me. The ladder is part of a support

system to aid us in reaching the top. In order for us

to reach the top we must willing to have a support

system as well. So in your life are you willing to

“rise” above your fears and doubts by “reaching” for

a support system to help you reach your goal? We

have to get past ourselves in order to let others help

support us when we can’t reach our goals alone.

Find a stable, sturdy support system and you too will

rise above all obstacles that may be in your way.

A. M. Styles

Are you afraid of heights? Will you

climb a 25ft A frame ladder to reach for something

that seems out of reach? There are several types of

ladders that we may have to use in life. An A Frame

ladder, extension ladder, step ladder, etc but the true

question is will you climb the ladder even if you are

afraid of heights? Today I was reminded that I do

have an issue climbing ladders especially ladders

that I sometimes think can’t support my weight.

Imagine being 25ft in the air on a ladder in which

you had to climb up and once you are done climb

back down. Talking to someone who also suffers

from RSD they stated they are afraid of heights and

couldn’t imagine being on a ladder that high. I un-

derstand their point because truth be told I am afraid

Thoughts of A Cure

Ever felt so helpless that you just wanted to

scream Your hopes seemed to crash along

with all your dreams. Your life seeming end-

less the turning of the years just seem to fuel

the fire under each one of you

fears. Wondering more and more each day if

anyone even tries to care if they understand

that our pain is completely and totally unfair

you feel like you are fighting an unimaginable

losing war your pain is completely invisible

yet it eats at your very core. Yet a glimmer of

hope appears a cure, it seems so dim at first it

looks like a lush oasis almost able to quench

your thirst. It grows before your eyes your

heart begins to pound this is the answer to

your prayers paradise has finally been found.

Never again will you regret a thing you choose

a life that abounds you survived the pain that

broke you apart gather your family round. You

never know how much the cost of pain, on

them, is bound.

They walk this path beside you, if you are lost

they make you found. They are a valuable

resource their currency love, surrounds.

Don't allow the pain to eat your soul and leave

your heart unsound.

Artwork by @hdawg1995

Design by @RSDAngelOnFire

Poem by Christa Whightsel

but also has crippled her physically. Seeing

the need to create a voice for the condition

Charles has engulfed himself in now telling

many stories from some of the faces of people

living with this condition around the world.

Charles has teamed up with some of the top

doctors to advocates in CRPS/RSD to help get

this message out for the almost 2 million liv-

ing with this condition each day.

Trial by fire is a film based on

CRPS/RSD. Directed by celebrity chef, best

selling author and world diabetes advocate

Charles Mattocks.

Inspired by his mothers diagnosis of

CRPS/RSD four years ago. Charles who is a

world diabetes advocate, celebrity chef and

also a type 2 diabetic himself, set on a mission

to help save his mothers life from this condi-

tion that has not only taken much of her joy

This will be a thrilling yet compas-

sionate documentary that will open the eyes of

many around the world that have no clue what

this condition is and how severe. We hope to

be able to find ways to better treat and fund

the cost of treatment.

Please Support this project.

http://www.trialbyfiremovie.com/

Page 3

Spiritual Corner - Climb the Ladder of Life

Gratitude—Thoughts of A Cure

Our RSD Family of Support— “Trial by Fire” a film based upon RSD/CRPS

pressure falls dangerously low.. He told me to come

back to him when it happens... It took 2 years to have a

flare while he was there!!!! I have pills to bring down

my heartbeat but I can't really use it, because my blood

pressure is usually too low I woke one morning feeling

really really bad and when I measured it, it was 50/30.

It's truly scary to have crps, and no one to help. I have

2 kids (7 and 10). The worlds best husband (who had

cancer these past 3 years - he's clean now, thank you to

a wonderful and faithful God). Ha ha I don't have time

for crps! So I live (mostly) like I don't have it, and then

truly hope I do not die from the pain!!!

That is why it's so nice listening (reading) too everyone

in the chat

group. Getting those

newsletters. Precious.

Thx

Liezel

Liezel sent RAE this picture. Here is a brief story.

—South Africa. Possibly. I really have no one to talk

to about crps not even a doctor. My house doctor still

don't know I have this (really don't care, because he

thinks it's in my head and I say it isn't), the other

doctor in town is horrible with this. I went to him

after 3 months of spasms in my back. He went to

stand behind me and then snapped my neck like a

chiropractor would. I have no idea how I got home, I

was in bed for 3 days. It's now in my neck and

head. Had to cut my hair!!! We go to a bigger town

for hospitals and specialists. I have asthma (now you

might need Google translate!) and I went to my inter-

nist (Afrikaans), physician (I think) who treats my

asthma, told him about my crps and that when it flares

my heartbeat sky rockets out of control and my blood

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a

disorder that can be accompanied by severe pain

that is often both chronic and resistant to conven-tional therapy. Harbut and Correll previously

reported the successful treatment of a 9-year case

of intractable Type I CRPS with an intravenous inpatient infusion of ketamine in an adult female

patient.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to

ascertain if indeed the use of subanesthetic inpa-

tient infusions of ketamine provide meaningful improvements in pain scores, and thus, quality of

life, in patients suffering from CRPS. To achieve

this objective we focused our analysis on the relief of pain obtained by patients undergoing this

novel treatment option developed at Mackay

Base Hospital, Queensland, Australia.

Results. A total of 33 patients with diagnoses of

CRPS who had undergone ketamine treatment at least once were identified. Due to relapse, 12 of

33 patients received a second course of therapy, and two of 33 patients received a third. The de-

gree of relief obtained following the initial course

of therapy was impressive (N=33); there was

complete pain relief in 25 (76%), partial relief in six (18%), and no relief in two (6%) patients. The

degree of relief obtained following repeat therapy

(N=12) appeared even better, as all 12 patients who received second courses of treatment experi-

enced complete relief of their CRPS pain.

The duration of relief was also impressive, as was the difference between the duration of relief

obtained after the first and after the second

courses of therapy. In this respect, following the first course of therapy, 54% of 33 individuals

remained pain free for 3 months and 31% re-

mained pain free for 6 months. After the second infusion, 58% of 12 patients experienced relief

for 1 year, while almost 33% remained pain free

for >3 years. The most frequent side effect ob-served in patients receiving this treatment was a

feeling of inebriation. Hallucinations occurred in

six patients. Less frequent side effects also in-cluded complaints of lightheadedness, dizziness,

and nausea. In four patients, an alteration in

hepatic enzyme profile was noted; the infusion was terminated and the abnormality resolved

thereafter.

..... Conclusion. This retrospective review suggests

that limited subanesthetic inpatient infusions of

ketamine may offer a promising therapeutic option in the treatment of appropriately selected

patients with intractable CRPS. More study is

needed to further establish the safety and efficacy of this novel approach.

The full article published in Pain Medicine, the official journal of the American Academy of Pain

Medicine. is very extensive and includes all the

numbers and charts you could want. This will be an invaluable tool to share with your Drs.

Since this study was completed, much more has been learned and the success rates and relief

obtained have improved significantly.

http://www.rsdhope.org/ketamine-

articles.html

share information with others that under-

stands their pain. I will say that Christa

actions on bringing so many together to

bring awareness and a place where others

can meet and talk to people sharing their

life experiences.

Christa is definitely a Fighter in every

sense of the word. Creating the platform

for others to come and share stories has

been a great help to so many who feel or

Christa is the founder of RSD Doesn’t

Own Me. She founded RCDOM in Au-

gust 2009. Her mission is to remind peo-

ple with RSD/CRPS that life is still worth

living.

Christa has brought awareness to thou-

sands of individuals while at the same

time bringing those individuals together

to provide a place where everyone can

find information, ask questions, or just

felt alone at one time or another.

So if you get a chance show Christa some

love by letting

her know how

much she is ap-

preciated for

starting RCDOM.

A. M. Styles

Page 4

RSD Fighter’s Wall— Liezel

Treatment—Ketamine

RSD Fighter’s Wall—Christa Whightsel

RSD ANGEL EXPRESS

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

with shed light on learning to understand how

our own feelings and thoughts may differ.

What do you think this person is feeling? Ask

yourself and others around you to talk about it.

You can Google “Emotional Intelligence” to

find more information. R.A.E. will be starting a new series in the

newsletter to focus on helping others under-

stand and relate to how others maybe feelings.

We know that everyone views or understands

emotions differently based upon their own

experiences and/or perceptions.

So to start the conversation/topic each issue

of the newsletter we will include an image for

everyone to look at and determine what they

feel/believe the person is feeling. We hope this

will start a productive conversation on how

each person’s perception may differ along

The Support for Survivors RSD/CRPS of

Middle Tennessee met at Claim Jumper

restaurant in the Opry Mills Mall on Sep-

tember 26, 2015. The purpose of the

meeting was to bring patients, family

members and caregivers together to share

stories, learn more about their conditions

along with discuss new treatments op-

tions/therapies. “We provided support

and continued building lifelong friend-

ships. We try to meet in Nashville area at

least once a month. Currently our next

meeting is set for the last Saturday of

September. The time and location is be-

ing determined but will let those know in

the area when and where.” In the photo

from left to right (Omega Kimoto, Lori

Catron, Shawn Catron, Sam Yanaris,

Melissa Proudfool Svedsen).

Submitted by Omega Kimoto of Support

for Survivors RSD/CRPS of Middle Ten-

nessee.

(conference call free to callers) to possi-

bly talk to others across the world. So if

this is something that you think maybe

something you would like to be a part of

let us know by emailing us at

a.m.styles247@gmail.com or on the

rsdom.org website.

Currently at R.A.E. (RSD Angel Express)

we are working on other ways to bring

others together to communicate with fel-

low RSD sufferers. We know there are

group meetings and online chats that take

place. We have heard from some who

find it difficult to participate in these

activities because of limitations. Well we

would like to have our readers feedback

on possibly setting up a phone bridge

If you or anyone would like to be on the

emailing list please send an email to

a.m.styles247@gmail.

Page 5

E.I. (Emotional Intelligence)

RSD Fighter’s Wall—An Army of Fighter’s

Just an Idea— From R.A.E. Staff and Support System

E.I. (Emotional Intelligence) - is the ability to

recognize one's own and other people's emotions,

to discriminate between different feelings and label

them appropriately, and to use emotional

information to guide thinking and behavior.[1] There

are three models of E .I.

start to appreciate everything from your family to

sunshine.”

Savor a Beautiful Day: Hassett says that chronic pain

patients should set aside a block of time each day

for their own pleasures. “It helps you focus on what

you have.”

Practice Intentional Kindness: Do one kind thing a day

for yourself, a stranger and someone you know.

Write 3 Good Things Every Day: Hassett said that

concentrating not only the fact good things hap-

pened buy Why They Happened can promote resil-

ience

The focus of this year’s Women in Pain Conference was

on the topic of resilience. It was sponsored by the non-

profit For Grace which for a decade has championed the

fight for better diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain

in women.

The whole idea of resilience is receiving a lot of atten-

tion in research these days.

Stanford’s Drew Sturgeon, Ph.D, is conducting a study

on the topic of resilience. (He has surveyed some readers

of the National Pain Report). He is asking why do some

people who suffer from chronic pain are able to stay

productive while others are not? His study is being

reviewed and should be ready for public discussion in

the next few months.

He was also enthusiastic about the work of the confer-

ence.

“There’s no doubt we need more education about pain

treatment in general, and the idea that so many women

go to their doctors with genuine pain complaints and

aren’t taken seriously is troubling- alliance with one’s

healthcare provider is a valuable part of the treatment

process,” he said.

National Pain Report—09-13-2015

http://goo.gl/dyoZW0

A University of Michigan researcher told the 8th Annual

Women in Pain Conference that positive language and

emotions can have a real effect on chronic pain patients.

Afton Hassett, Ph.D. was speaking on the topic: Resilience

in the Face of Pain to about 100 persons attending in Los

Angeles and a world-wide audience on the internet.

She said that 30% of patients that I’ve studied are resilient.

She understands why that number isn’t higher.

“Chronic pain patients do what they have to do in order to

survive,” she said. “They have to go to work, pay the bills,

and take care of their families.”

And one important thing gets lost, she said and that is the

“joy” in life.

She outlined a number of things that she recommends

chronic pain patients can do to enhance resilience.

Create a social support round robin: More social interac-

tion and engaging with friends and even people you

don’t know is a key step.

Keep a Gratitude Diary: She suggests that your write down

three things you are grateful for each day, and make

sure there are three different things each day. “You

Please remember, when you call a Suicide

Prevention line, be sure to clarify when you

speak to them that the reason your calling is to

help get your mind off of doing this.

As we all face this monster every hour of

every day, all year long, sometimes we say

things healthies can misunderstand. For exam-

ple, if we say we have the means to end it (i.e.

medicine or whatever) many of us are stating a

fact, not making a threat. But healthies do

NOT always understand that, so please be

very clear if your speaking with someone

other than a fellow sufferer (and even some of

us are mandatory reporters from previous jobs

so it's wise to clarify to us too) if you're having

a rough time and just need to talk.

Because when a someone at these facilities

think statements are made threatening suicide,

they have a make a judgement call if they need

to call local emergency response teams. They

have to determine by your statements if you

are in a moment of crisis or if your able to

keep yourself safe. And unlike CRPSers,

healthy persons may sound like us when

they're in a moment of crisis, whereas ours has

been a lifetime. But these phone personnel

don't know what we deal with every moment

of our lives. They only know this moment.

Please Note: I was notified by a friend their

confidant called this line and they were com-

mitted because of their call.

I decided my best course of action to un-

derstand what happened was to research this

further by calling the National Suicide Preven-

tion line. This line routed me to a more local

office based on my phone number. I talked

with them & educated them on CRPS and

encourage them to learn more about the

"Suicide disease." I also asked them how we

need to communicate to them using phrases

I've heard from many members of our commu-

nity to identify WHAT we should say to help

clarify when these phrases are not a threat, and

are simply stating our life facts.

So please use words to help explain as best

you can if these statements are simple facts of

our "new" lives or if you're truly needing a

break from the world and the strength it gives

the monster in us.

I'm pretty sure almost all of us have consid-

ered it, but the important thing is making sure

we communicate properly when we're think-

ing about this. So please share this, bookmark

this, make sure you can find this easily when

and if you ever need to call. Because with our

brain fog, the last thing we want is for you to

forget/can't find this in that moment of need

for someone to help us down and they misun-

derstand you.

By: Naanad

Page 6

Positive Emotions Can Help Fight Chronic Pain

From R.A.E. Staff and Support System—Suicide Prevention

NEWSLETTER TITLE

The RSD Angel Express is a publication designed to bring awareness to CRPS/RSD

Disease. It is the creation of several RSD Administrators from different support groups in

hopes of sharing stories, medication information, and giving a voice to many who may feel

they are not being heard. Please share this newsletter freely. It will be published quarterly

and may also have interim “special editions” to highlight different events taking place

within the CRPS/RSD Community. For more information, conduct a search for different

support groups and/or non-profit organizations. We are NOT medical, legal, or nutri-

tional professionals and will not give advice on those subjects. Please Consult Profes-

sionals in those areas. We are here to provide support and education.

If you want to submit ideas or stories please email to a.m.styles247@gmail.com.

Broken Window Pane of Pain

As you sit back looking out the window pane you

realize how much pain you are in as you watch life

pass you by. You begin to rise above the pane to

wipe away the tears off the window or is it rain?

None the less you know that in order to stop living

a life behind the pane while being in pain you

have change that which you see your life. No more

pane for life can’t be viewed from a broken pane

but life can be lived while still in pain. Replace the

broken pane so that the window of life is clear to

you and that you know that in life we can see the

world in a different way.

A. M. Styles

Reaching Out—Broken Window Pane

Up Coming Schedule of Events

• Sept—Pain Awareness Month—

Beautify in Blue your town or Wear

Blue to show support (Email us with

photos and we will post in the next

newsletter)

• Sept 12— 2015 CRPS/RSD Walk for

Awareness (http://rsds.org/event/

achilles-2015-walk-for-hope/ )

• Nervember—RSD Awareness Month

• RSD Doesn’t Own Me—Weekly

chat—Http://www.rcdom.org/chat

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 Labor Day

8 9 10 11 Let’s Never For-

get

12 CRPS Walk For Awareness

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

September 2015