I am defying Complex Regional Pain Syndrome aka "The Suicide Disease"

Hello Steem,

My name is Lisa, I am forty-eight years old and seven years ago I fell at work bruising my knee. Due to the injury, I developed this condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) aka "The Suicide Disease". Unfortunately, or maybe it was fortunate after all, at the height of my treatment I was also at the height of my dysfunction with this disease. Having reached maximum medical improvement "MMI" and I was given a prognosis of continued deterioration, I was left both hopeless and helpless. Because of this, we decided to purchase a home nowhere near family or friends in a state where medical marijuana is legal and which would accommodate an electric wheelchair without issue. In other words, where I needed to be not where I wanted to be.

Two years after moving in and two and a half years after I discovered, quite by accident, that CRPS has an underlying autoimmune etymology we are now rethinking our plans. I'd thrown out every chemical we cleaned with, both house and body, along with every perfume, air freshener, scented candle, beauty product, and every boxed premade food we had. Starting fresh with fresh, organic, non-GMO, non-toxic green products or homemade versions, I replaced everything I could with an alternative. To many, I was overreacting but just look at me now! Ultimately, my functionality has greatly improved. I have regained independence.

The way I see it I can plan and live for the inevitable or I can live a vibrant life now, letting the cards fall where they may all the while making concessions along the way for a future that may not be as bright as today. Choosing the latter, I am openly sharing with you my journey with this syndrome, sharing the lifestyle changes I have made that have made it possible to reduce my medications to almost zero. Sharing the trials and tribulations of life I face dealing with CRPS. Although I attend monthly medical appointments and have done so for almost 7 continuous years, all I have achieved I have done so without the guidance of a physician. They just don't teach this, it isn't an option nor is it discussed to any great degree across the board in general with any patient with CRPS.

Unless you understand what CRPS is... what I am sharing you makes no impression as to the gravity of the level of pain we live with fighting this degenerative neurological condition. According to the specialists, CRPS ranks a 45 on the McGill Pain Scale. A scale of 1-50, above cancer, spontaneous amputation of a digit and unprepared birth. Follow along with me as I work at balancing the fragile wellness I have rediscovered through alternative treatments, ask me questions, leave me your words of inspiration to read, and above all else, I hope to leave you with "hope" of your own.