Friday, November 1, 2013

It's RSD Awareness Month!


November is national RSD Awareness month.

RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) is the crippling neurologic disorder that tried, very hard, to steal my life away from me; keeping me paralyzed in a hospital bed, with seizures & in horrific burning pain, unable to move or eat for nearly 6 years.


RSD a chronic, progressive, debilitating neurological disorder that occurs in response to an inury or illness, after which the nervous system malfunctions—causing nerves to misfire and send constant pain signals back to the brain, essentially, shutting parts of the body down.

When left undiagnosed and untreated, intractable pain and other disabling symptoms occur, including extreme sensitivity to touch, lights and sounds, severe headaches, numbness, weakness, movement disorder, paralysis, ulcerative skin lesions, seizures and softening of the bones. In its later stages, RSD can lead to internal organ dysfunction and cardiac complications. Patients may become unable to digest food, maintain stable levels of blood pressure or regulate their body temperature. RSD can ultimately ravage the entire body and its organs.

On the medically accepted McGill Pain Scale, where zero equals no pain, and fifty equals the most intense pain, RSD is ranked as a 46/50-- making it the most painful disease known to medicine!

RSD is ranked higher than pain from a bone fracture (20), cancer (24), childbirth (32) and even above amputation (38)!

Imagine if every touch cut like a knife, every breeze felt like a blow torch and even a gentle hug caused you to feel as if you were being electrocuted, if every pain medication available to you was completely ineffective?

That is what RSD feels like. And it is horrific.

Well-meaning people have said over the years, "God only gives you what you can handle...He knew you were so strong!" ... That's a nice sentiment, but it's simply not true.

On all fronts, this battle has been sooo much bigger than me, far beyond what I could ever handle, way beyond my own strength....but it has never been bigger than God.

I am so thankful for the healing power of Jesus displayed through the wisdom and knowledge of Dr. Fernando Cantu & Dr. Luis Barrientos, who saved my life! I am so thankful for my family who fought by my side, and I am so grateful for the many prayers that sustained me.


Every day that I wake up without that pain and those symptoms, I still nearly cry from shock and happiness. :)

I am blessed to be in remission... but there is still NO CURE for this horrible disease. There are a lot of people still suffering, with no way out.

I also still live with uncertainties about the future... Will I ever walk again? Stay in remission? Live a long healthy life?

Those are questions bigger than me, but again, not too big for God. I believe with my entire being that the answer to my questions is 'yes', but no matter what the future holds, I will be okay, because I know I will have Jesus' strength in my weakness, 

If someone would have told me 3 years ago, as I lay in a bed like this, that one day I would be well, out of that bed, pain free, able to eat, swim, go to school and enjoy my life... I never would have believed them. 

I want that feeling of joy I feel each morning to become a reality for all RSD sufferers.

So I am making this post as a reminder to please pray for them, that they will experience healing, peace and comfort. RSD is often called the "suicide disease", because so many patients lose hope, they don't see another option. They are tired of the pain. I lost my dear friend John this past year, and it is the most devastating and helpless feeling. 


We need awareness. We need research into the causes/triggers for this disease, We need physicians to begin recognizing ketamine infusion therapy as the standard of care in treating this disease, and for insurance companies to cover the costs, but above all of that, we need a long lasting cure. That is my ultimate prayer.

Never lose hope... 


"And nothing formed against me shall stand." (Isaiah 54:17)



To learn more, watch the following. Awareness is key! Thank you.


11 comments:

Rosemary said...

I love you Jessica. Thank you for all you are doing to raise awareness about this little known, misunderstood, indiagosed, misdiagnosed, mysterious, excruciating and life altering disease. Thank you for remembering John so his death was not totally in vain. May God bless you always with total remission and the ability to fight for those who cannot, speak for those who cannot and work with your wonderful doctors. May there be a cure in our lifetime for RSD/CRPS. No one should ever have to suffer such horrid pain that is described as being burnt alive and no one should ever be forced to sit hopelessly by to watch someone they love disappear before their eyes. Thank you, dear lady. I love you and John loved you very much. xoxo, Rosemary

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Anonymous said...

Unfortunately there are a lot of AIDS/Herpes denials on Herbal cures still out there. I did research on them after I was tested HIV/Herpes positive I was so worried am I going to die soon. I continue my search again on herbal remedy for Std, then I found lots of testimony on how Dr Itua Herbal Medicine Cured HIV/Aids, Herpes Virus,Copd, Hepatitis,Shingles, Diabetes,Epilepsy,Infertility, On websites sharing their testimonies, which made much more sense to me. All the authors pronounce Dr Itua As a man with Good Heart, I pick interest in their testimonies and I contact him about my situation then he gave me procedure how it works, I proceed after one week he courier his Herbal Medicine to me and instruct me on how to drink it for two weeks to cure. I receive His Herbal Medicine so I drank it for two weeks as I was told then after 2 days I go for a test I found out I was cured from HIV/Aids & Herpes Virus, I pay homage to him 2 months ago to his country to celebrate with him on his African festival which he told me it usually happens every year. I know there are lots of (HIV)/Aids&Herpes Virus denials of Herbal Remedy movement the same few doctors and they represent a very small faction of the community. I could have died because I refused Natural Herbs Cures for so long, but luckily, by the grace of God I am alive to tell my story. Contact Info...Whatsapp Number...+2348149277967,Email...drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com/My Instagram Username...avat5634 Just in case you need someone to talk with.

Anneke Sergio said...

My name is hoover, my 18 years old daughter, Tricia was diagnosed of herpes 3 years ago. ever since then,we have been going from one hospital to the other. We tried all sorts of pills but all efforts to get rid of the virus was futile. The blisters kept on reappearing after some months. My daughter was making use of Acyclovir tablets 200mg. 2 tablets every 6hours and fusitin cream 15grams. and H5 POT. Permanganate with water to be applied 2x a day but all still show no result. So I was on the internet some months back, to sought for any other means of saving my only child. just then, i came across a comment on dr imoloa herbal treatment and decided to give it a try. i contacted the him and he prepared some herbs and sent it to me together with guidelines on how to use the herbs through DHL courier service. my daughter used it as directed dr imoloa and in less than 14days, my daughter regained her health.. You should contact Dr imoloa today directly on his email address for any kind of health challenge; lupus disease, mouth ulcer, mouth cancer, fever, hepatitis A.B.C., syphilis, diarrhea, HIV/AIDS, Huntington's Disease, back acne, Chronic renal failure, addison disease, Chronic Pain, Crohn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Fibromyalgia, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, fungal nail disease, Lyme Disease, Celia disease, Lymphoma, Major Depression, Malignant Melanoma, Mania, Melorheostosis, Meniere's Disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis , Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alzheimer's Disease, parkison disease, vaginal cancer, epilepsy, Anxiety Disorders, Autoimmune Disease, Back Pain, Back Sprain, Bipolar Disorder, Brain Tumour, Malignant, Bruxism, Bulimia, Cervical Disk Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, asthma, Inflammatory autoimmune-mediated arthritis. chronic kidney disease, inflammatory joint disease, impotence, feta alcohol spectrum, Dysthymic Disorder, Eczema, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease. and many more; contact him on email- drimolaherbalmademedicine@gmail.com./ also on whatssap-+2347081986098.

Richard William said...

Sou Richard, estou aqui para testemunhar sobre um grande fitoterapeuta que curou minha esposa de câncer de mama. Seu nome é Dr. Imoloa. Minha esposa passou por essa dor por 3 anos, passei quase tudo que tinha, até que vi alguns depoimentos online de como o Dr. Imoloa os curava de suas doenças, imediatamente o contatei. então ele me disse o que fazer antes de mandar o fitoterápico. Gostaria que tivesse feito isso através do serviço de entrega da DHL, e ele nos instruiu sobre como aplicar ou beber o remédio por boas duas semanas. e para a maior surpresa, antes da terceira semana superior, minha esposa estava aliviada de todas as dores, acredite em mim, foi assim que minha esposa foi curada do câncer de mama por este grande homem. Ele também tem um poderoso fitoterápico para curar doenças como: doença de Alzheimer, doença de parkinson, câncer vaginal, epilepsia, transtornos de ansiedade, doença autoimune, dor nas costas, entorse nas costas, transtorno bipolar, tumor cerebral, maligno, bruxismo, bulimia, doença do disco cervical, cardiovascular Doença, Neoplasias, doença respiratória crônica, distúrbio mental e comportamental, Fibrose Cística, Hipertensão, Diabetes, Asma, Artrite de mídia inflamatória autoimune ed. doença renal crônica, doença inflamatória das articulações, impotência, espectro do álcool feta, transtorno distímico, eczema, tuberculose, síndrome da fadiga crônica, constipação, doença inflamatória do intestino, doença lúpica, úlcera bucal, câncer de boca, dor no corpo, febre, hepatite ABC, sífilis, diarreia, HIV / AIDS, doença de Huntington, acne nas costas, insuficiência renal crônica, doença de addison, dor crônica, dor de Crohn, fibrose cística, fibromialgia, doença inflamatória intestinal, doença fúngica das unhas, doença de Lyme, doença de Celia, Linfoma, Depressão maior, Maligno melanoma, Mania, Melorreostose, Doença de Menière, Mucopolissacaridose, Esclerose múltipla, Distrofia muscular, Artrite reumatóide. Você pode entrar em contato com ele por e-mail Via drimolaherbalmademedicine@gmail.com / whatsapp +2347081986098 Website-http / www.drimolaherbalmademedicine.wordpress.com

Tommy Latonia said...

Read carefully, it's said that Huntington disease has no cure, yes with the western medication but not with herbal medicine, my daughter's situation made me to realize that with doctor Bharat herbal medicine it can be cured. In 2014 she experienced difficulty in concentrating, memory lapses and depression, at first I taught it was stressed from her place of work until I took her to hospital and the doctor made me to understand that it's juvenile Huntington disease because she is still in her late 20s, which she inherited from my late husband that died of the same disease, the doctor told me it has no cure, but gave her some medicine which I noticed that it has side effects, my daughter situation got worst each day that passes, she was the best at her place of work, now a shadow of her self because of this deadly disease, she speaks to herself often, she was really going insane, I do not want to lose my daughter the same way I lost her father, in 2018 I carried out research on internet and bumped into a comment of a lady that got cured of Huntington disease, without wasting time I contacted doctor Bharat whose name was mentioned in the comment, now is been 3 years my daughter is living her best life again, for those that have the disease or have any love one suffering from Huntington disease, contact doctor Bharat via dr.bharatkings@gmail.com

George Alice said...

Does anyone still doubt natural herbs? I have seen the great importance of natural herbs and the wonderful work they have done in people's lives. I wonder why people still spend their money on English medicine when natural herbs can cure all kinds of mental diseases. I have seen it with my own eyes. My dad and aunt were cured from Huntington disease with Dr Bharet herbal medicine. He used BUJA herbal medicine to cure my dad and aunt from Huntington disease, I know it is hard to believe but am a living testimony. My dad was diagnosed with Huntington's disease in 2016, we have made use of all western medication yet no improvement and his doctors said there is no cure yet but still carrying out research, my dad experienced depression, anxiety and memory lapses that made him hallucinate always, he speaks to himself often and that made me shed tears each night that passes by. 2019 I searched through the internet for a solution and i came across a comment on a blog written by [George Lisa] saying she was cured of Huntington disease that she suffered from for 8years. Without wasting time I quickly contacted Dr Bharat whose name was mentioned in the comment Via his email. He asked me questions which I answered correctly he sent his herbal medicine to us here in Ireland through DHL, in less than one month I started seeing positive improvement on my Dad's health so I introduced the medication to my aunt as well, is been 4 years now, my dad and aunt are living their best life again. Though i gave the medication as i was instructed. My dad and aunt are Huntington disease negative after the medication, Huntington disease is completely gone from my family lineage. With Bharat herbal medicine called BUJA Huntington patients can smile again. For those with Huntington disease or having their love ones diagnosed with Huntington's disease contact Dr Bharat now via dr.bharatkings@gmail.com you will come back to testify

Gwendolyn Floy said...

I want to make this testimony public and as a sign of gratitude to Dr Bharat. On how he saved my husband from Huntington's disease with his herbal medicine called BUJA, i decided to reach out to those still suffering from this disease.
My husband suffered Huntington disease and it was really tough and heartbreaking for me because he was all i have and the symptoms were terrible, my husband experience hallucination, depression, anxiety, abnormality walking, involuntary movement and memory impairment. We tried various therapies prescribed by our neurologist but none could cure him instead the situation got worsen each day that passes by. I spent much money yet no improvement, I really do not want my husband to die so i searched for a cure on the internet and i bumped into a testimony of (Ronda Jasil) who got cured from Huntington's disease. and she left the e-mail address of the Herbal doctor who has the cure of Huntington disease. I never imagined Huntington's disease has a cure until i contacted him and he assured me my husband will be fine. I got the herbal medication he recommended and my husband used it and in one month we started seeing improvement, now is been 1year and 6 months my husband is okay and full of life again. Huntington's disease has a cure and it is a herbal medicine called BUJA. contact doctor Bharat now on dr.bharatkings@gmail.com Thanks for reading my testimony

Jay Floryan said...

Hi everyone, this is good news, a perfect and greats one. My daughter of
38years who has suffered of Huntington's disease for 2 and half years has been
cure by a Herbal doctor called Dr Bharat who uses herbal and traditional
medicine to cure people. I have spent so much money on my daughter's health for
years but no improvement. A friend told me about this herbal man who cure
people with herbal medicine. he cures all mental sickness, diseases, viruses, and
infections with his different herbal curing medicine.The result that
declares my daughter healed was from a hospital here in USA, And the
results of the test says my daughter was okay. Dr Bharat said my daughter will be heal in 8weeks(2 months) if she uses the medicine as directed. And
In 2 weeks i started seeing great improvement, exactly 8weeks we went to confirm from the central hospital and several test that
was done says my daughter is Huntington's disease negative. She got cured with Dr Bharat herbal medicine, this is super amazing. My daughter is fully okay and back to her work again. I can boldly say that Huntington's disease is 100% curable with doctor Bharat herbal medicine, is real, anyone with Huntington's disease or have love ones that is suffering from Huntington's disease should contact doctor bharat now on his mail. dr.bharatkings@gmail.com

Carrick Ray said...

My sister had severe Muscle problems, abnormal eye movements, Difficulty with the physical production of speech, memory lapses. she was placed on tranquilizers 3 times daily, it helped her but not very much. Her neurologist advised us to try natural treatments and introduced me to Natural Organic Herbs, {Huntington disease Herbal formula}, I visited his blogs and read a lot of positive reviews from other patients who used the treatment and made my orders. We immediately started on the treatment for my sister. she had great improvement and relief with this treatment, total decline of symptoms. All her symptoms left and she has been reserved from Huntington Disease. Great improvement with speech, co-ordination, balance, muscle, mood etc, I gained back my life with this herbal treatment and can never be thankful enough. Visit Natural Organic Herbs, reach him directly via {dr.bharatkings@gmail.com}. She's now living like a normal person without any symptoms of Huntington Disease. All thanks to Dr. Bharat


Jessica's Journey to Getting Her Life Back

By Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)


As we begin this journey toward renewed health we would like to express our sincere heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick and all the work he has done and continues to do in order to bring patients like my daughter Jessica back to a more meaningful life and restored from this devastating illness. Also, special thanks to Dr. Fernando Cantu and his team of doctors in Mexico for taking on a difficult case like my daughters, Words cannot express the renewed sense of hope that we have that one day, our Jessica, can regain her life that has been taken away from her – God Bless you all!

Jessica’s Story

Once an A+ student who loved school, was involved in many extracurricular activities, played varsity tennis, lacrosse and gymnastics and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, our daughter Jessica has spent the last 3 years incapacitated, paralyzed, unable to sit or walk and eat. She spends her days confined to a hospital bed, wearing sunglasses and noise-canceling headphones, due to severe light and sound sensitivity.

Jessica and her sisters, 2 mos. before becoming ill

The pain she feels is indescribable and all attempted treatments have not even come close to relieving her suffering.

She has seen many doctors, undergone numerous painful tests and procedures, has been prescribed various medications, and has been hospitalized frequently including being intubated and on a ventilator. She is severely debilitated and currently is only 92 pounds. This is certainly no life for a 21 year old young woman!


Jessica is suffering from neurologic Lyme disease and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), a severely debilitating and painful neuromuscular disorder. She suffers daily with constant sharp, stabbing, tingling and burning pain; throughout her body; severe headaches; paralysis; intense muscle spasms; gastroparesis; seizures; twisting of her limbs (dystonia); sensitivity to any touch (allodynia); extreme sensitivity to lights and sounds; excessive sweating; swelling; fevers; softening of bones; decreased hair growth; redness and discoloration of the limbs; and painful skin ulcers. The pain is constant and unrelenting, but despite her suffering, her faith in God remains and she still has hope for her future.

Jessica's painful skin lesions

Jessica's journey began in 1999, when she was only 11 years old. She became very ill with Mono and was bed bound for 3 months. She subsequently developed RSD (stage 1) of the lower right leg. She received early intervention and returned to playing sports and enjoying her life.

Jessica, age 15, at summer camp

Four years later, in 2003, while away at a sleep-away camp, she developed a rash behind her right knee, coincidentally in the same leg that previously had RSD!

At the time, the camps nurse & doctor told her that it was “duck rash” – a rash from swimming in the lake with duck feces. However, Jessica was able to obtain photos from camp from another camper which shows the classic “bulls-eye” rash from Lyme disease! It wasn’t until much later and only after developing symptoms and becoming very ill, was the diagnosis of Lyme disease and Babesiosis (another tick-borne infection) made.


Most people (and doctors!) have no idea how serious Lyme disease can become and no clue how to properly diagnose it. Unfortunately, if she would have been promptly diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease, the RSD would not have been triggered and she would not be suffering.

July 2003, Jessica's Lyme disease rash

If it wasn’t for her doctor, Dr. Liegner, and his expertise with complex cases of Lyme, and his determination to try any means in getting her well, by getting a “team” of doctors on her case, we wouldn’t be here today, still fighting. We owe him a deep sense of gratitude for all he does for Jessica!

During these past three years and with the pain becoming more intense and unbearable she has been seeing Dr. Finkelstein for pain management. He has even made house calls to spare her the pain of coming by ambulance to his office. Jessica has been treated with multiple pain medications, at the highest possible doses, as well as an implanted dilaudid pain pump, which delivers potent medication straight into her spine. Many doctors have told us that with the amount of medications Jessica was taking would be enough to “kill a horse”—yet they had little to no effect on her. If it wasn’t for Dr. Finkelstein trying to alleviate her constant, severe, unrelenting pain, I don’t know how she would have managed. He is very special to us as well.

Recently Jessica was transported by air ambulance to Tampa, Florida to see Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, a world renowned RSD expert. Dr. Kirkpatrick told us that Jessica is one of the most debilitated patients he has ever seen.

Jessica getting into the air-ambulance to go see Dr. Kirkpatrick

Upon his testing and because Jessica's condition is so severe, Dr. Kirkpatrick is recommending the only treatment available that can possibly help relieve her suffering, and afford her some semblance of a “normal” life - the Ketamine Coma Procedure - a clinical trial that is being conducted in Monterrey, Mexico.

During this procedure Jessica will be put into a coma , with the hope that her nerves, brain and spinal cord will “reset” -so that her nervous system sends the correct signals to her brain.


Yes, this is a radical, scary treatment, however, for Jessica, "scary" is thinking that she could spend the rest of her life in this condition, unable to walk, eat, or take care of herself. Since all reasonable treatments have failed to help her, we feel we must try everything possible to help Jessica regain her life.

We understand that due to Jessica’s fragile condition, there is a high risk associated with this procedure. We are also aware that other patients with severe RSD like Jessica's have had success.

Jessica’s goal is to one day become a doctor. Our hope is that with this study she can have that chance. As her Mom, I know that she will be a great doctor because when a patient presents in her office and says “Doctor, I am in pain and words cannot express how bad it is” – my daughter –Dr. Jessica– will be able to say - :I know how you feel, I’ve been there too. So, take a seat and let me tell you a story”….

We are so thankful and feel so blessed to have been led to Dr. Kirkpatrick.

God is good and with his help guiding Dr. Cantu and Dr. Kirkpatrick, our hope is for Jessica to be able to return to us whole again and pain-free!