The question often plagues me: Why did the RSD go into remission? None of my care team is really too sure. I want to share my experience with others who either treat or who have RSD so that they can have hope and something to believe in, and that is the reason for writing this article. Maybe there are one or two new strategies here that are new to other RSD sufferers and can be one more strategy they can add to their treatment plans. Here are my thoughts about what specifically helped me recover from RSD.

First, there was no one treatment or modality that made me better. It was the combination of treatments, attitudes and strategies that worked synergistically. Each treatment by itself probably would not have been effective, but by being combined they gradually began to work.

Second, I was relentless in applying the treatments, regardless of whether progress was being made or not. I focused my energy on the PROCESS of getting better, not on the OUTCOME of getting better. This focus gave me the tenacity and persistence to spend 2 hours a day on therapy, to accept the side effects of the medications indefinitely, and to keep to my treatment plan, even when results were not forthcoming.

Third, the treatments and strategies were applied consistently over a period of years. I believe that it takes a very long time for improvements to occur. It is imperative to face the condition with tenacity and a commitment to continue with the plan for as long as it takes.

Fourth, I keep my mind and emotions off my problems as much as possible by keeping involved in projects and activities that made me feel good about myself and gave me a sense of control. RSD has a way of trying to take over every aspect of someone's life and it will succeed if one lets it. One thing RSD can never control is attitude. As Dr. Charles Swindoll has written, "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on my life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you.... we are in charge of our attitudes."

Finally, in spite of the pain and debilitation, a person with RSD can try to avoid allowing the world to treat him or her any differently from anyone else. See and present yourself as well, healthy, and as having something valuable to offer no matter what your physical or emotional state. You will find that the world will reflect this healthy attitude back to you in a healing and positive way. This, in turn, will help you create a new personal reality, one based on health, control, and well-being.