Erin Dasher, 26, has been diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Chronic/Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome.
The condition in best described in terms of an original injury that does not follow the normal healing path, she said. The sympathetic nervous systems assume abnormal functioning, causing continuing pain (many times severe), edema, skin color changes, abnormal motor activity in the region of the pain and many other symptoms.
"Similar to the case that fibromyalgia had to prove just a few years ago, many that think that RSD is a psychological condition and our pain is mental," she said in an email.
She and Stephanie Roberts, of Fredricksburg, who also suffers from RSD, formed a support group for people with the condition. Many people with RSD also suffer from a form of depression and even commit suicide, she said.
"We wanted to show people that it is possible to live with the disease, yes it is hard but you can live," she said.
The group's second meeting will be Saturday at 1p.m. at the James City County Library, 7770 Croaker Road, in the Cosby Room. The group will make quilt squares for the RSD Awareness
Quilt.
For more information about the group, look for VA HUGS for RSD/CRPS on Facebook.
