I have had RSD for 2.5 years. It started in my right arm after a freak accident and soon traveled down my leg. 1 year ago I got into a car accident and it made the RSD "travel" to my left side and gave me whiplash. Now I have RSD in all four limbs and in my neck. I have done every possible injection with no relief and fortunately, stopped the process on the Permanent snipping procedures when I realized that they seriously limit future options if it doesn’t work ( which the chances of it being effective for me were pretty low). I am not a candidate for a spinal stem stimulator because of the amount of damage to my limbs.
However, I have found that I can usually deal with the pain ( with the aid of Methadone, Morphine and Flexeril) but there are several side effects that I just can’t take!!!! I get terrible hot flashes that make me feel as though my eyes are burning in my face! My face and hair get all sweaty and I sometimes feel faint. Once I have had a hot flash, I will usually have a series of several or I will continue to feel overheated and clammy for several hours. I’ve only heard of hot flashes in Menopausal women who treat it with hormones. My doctor does not seem to care, but this is REALLY bothersome to me. I’m not even 30! Does anyone have any tips or ideas to help?

Secondly, I gained 40 some pounds in about 4 months and have been unable to do anything about it. I have always been thin but now I am 35 pounds over the maximum weight for my size/shape! Before I got hurt weight loss was easy; I just hit the treadmill or elliptical machine a little harder for a few days. Now I’m lucky if I can go for a walk that day. If I have a good day I can never decide if I should go outside and do as much as I can or if I should take it easy in the hopes that I will have more good days. I eat very healthy and have cut my portions in half considerably to no avail. My doctor just put me on 10mg 2x/day last week to help me lose weight and to keep me awake ( lately I’m so tired I could sleep 20 hours /day). Now I just feel bloated to the extent that I look 7 months pregnant- no joke! If my body is broken, it’s not fair that it has to look bad now, too.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to get a grip on these two side effects? Sometimes the side effects are more difficult to deal with than the RSD itself!

Overwhelmed & Disabled

I am 23 years old. Since July, I have experience hot flashes. Not getting hot randomly because it’s hot outside, real hot flashes. I’ve lost 10 pounds in the last month. My period has always been regular, coming every 29 days and lasting for three days. But this time it came 5 days early and lasted for 5 days. This is also the first time I didn’t have cramps or bloating, however, I have been very very emotional. Crying at the drop of a hat, sometimes for no reason and sometimes because something small happened and it made me cry. My hair is beginning to feel and look unhealthy. It’s never been frizzy and now, no matter what I put in it, that’s all it’s been. I’ve been a vegetarian for a year and a half, I work a very stressful job and I just started grad school part time. I thought the stress in my life may explain why I’ve been crying so often, but I don’t feel overwhelmed or depressed. The weight loss and the hot flashes really worry me, but when I really look at everything combined including the emotions, I’m beginning to think something is seriously wrong. I called the doctor to make an appointment, but I’d like to have some opinions on what may be wrong. Am I going through early menopause??

Background: I’m 19 and I’ve never taken birth control in my life. I avoided it mainly because I have a stereotypical asian mother (who happens to be a scientist) who said things like “natural is best,” and “have to get rid of your monthly impurities.” But I talked to my doctor and she said these are all myths basically.

I have low estrogen levels. No, tests have not been taken to prove this but I know I do because I have these symptoms: very dry, itchy rough skin that is resilient to moisturizer and skin care products, brittle nails (sort of), oral dryness (dry mouth), very coarse hair that is falling out, less alert, and futhermore I’m not even getting my period! What could’ve caused this is a not so ideal diet, having recently lost 15 lbs. etc. and I mention this because I see dieting/weight loss connected to low estrogen levels/period issues on net articles.

I have been prescribed orthotricyclen lo. Today is saturday the 11th…

1.) am I supposed to begin sunday though and cannot begin today???
2.) Am I supposed to begin the day I get my period again? It says that if it is your first time, wait until your period but I remember my doctor saying it can be taken immediately so someone shed some light on this. I’m confused.
3.) Do you open the bag and put the pill ring inside the little compact thing? What coloured pill do you start with first??????? why are green inactive pills without hormones taken?

somebody help! I need to save my skin and my hair and femininity in general!
what is the reasoning behind waiting for the first day of your period though? why is that suggested/stated???

I'm 47 and I've been premenopausal for 4 years or more, periods still are regular, hair loss during this time, yikes. Anxiety is high and weight loss going too low, which has always been a problem in my life until I went into my 40's then my weight seemed normal..but now it's going down along with my appetite.
Progressly to the point of every night, terrible night sweats, like I'm in a 450 oven, then chills…my blow dryer has been my best friend. No day time break outs.
I've tried health store products, hormone therapy nothing takes these night sweats away. Quality of life has become disabiling daily.
I surprisingly found out that if I drink alcohol at night time, like five beers, I don't sweat. I know this is not recommend but it's the only thing that has helped.
Has anyone experienced alcohol helping or am I being misdiagnosed…test for thyroid was fine.
done the shower thing and health food store remedies…
why is alcohol working, it's like it takes the liquid out of my system.

do u know any vitamins that help your hair grow or like fruits or vegetable? But does it make a difference what race u r when it comes 2 natural hair growth remedies also i heard that a cabbage diet or stew diet helps weight loss is that true and if not than what natural or organic like foods help?

I'm wondering if I might be going through menopause…I'm only 31 but for the last seven months I have been having major physical issues. My mom and my grandmother didn't go through menopause until their 60's and none of my sisters have experienced any of these symptoms but I'm not sure what else it could be. My symptoms are these: hair loss, weight loss/gain (it constantly fluctuates), haven't had my period in seven months, facial hair growth (a lot of it!!), hot flashes and constant acne.

I talked to a doctor about this four months ago and he told me it was stress. But I'm not stressed, I have nothing (except this) to worry me! I'm really starting to get concerned especially because my husband and I want to start a family. Can anyone help??