This week on The Pain Channel, we take an in-depth look at Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and how it truly affects those living with this chronic condition. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy as well as CRPS can be excruciatingly painful, frustratingly misdiagnosed, and often reduces patients to depression and anxiety. In our conversations with two amazing and successful ladies, we come to truly understand how living with chronic pain can not diminish the desire to live life to the fullest.

On April 1^st, Barby Ingle, founder of the Power of Pain Foundation, hosted an event with our very own Phoenix Coyotes to “Put Pain in the Penalty Box.” The event was a huge success, but that’s no surprise to such an inspirational woman. In 2002, Ingle survived a horrible car accident that led to numerous treatments, 40 different doctor referrals, dozens of medications and awful side effects, and several surgeries. Her journey eventually led her into cardiac arrest, a common side effect from stress, anxiety, and the strenuous day-to-day that had become her life. Ingle, now at terms with her condition thanks to the help of The Pain Center of Arizona, takes her remarkable story on the road, sharing it with others who have yet to “Get Back Into Life” due to their own debilitating pain.

Brittany Dawn Brannon, current Miss Arizona USA, also suffers from pain because of her RSD. As a child, she was a natural on the dance floor, and ballet was her passion. She had big dreams of New York and the American Ballet Theater. Soon after she was accepted to her dream school she suffered an injury in her dance class and needed immediate surgery on her foot. During surgery her nerve cords were damaged, causing her excruciating pain. Brannon was told she could never dance again. Although depression and anger kept the Miss USA contestant down for the first part of her recovery, she soon found her drive to start a new life and work with her pain to better understand it. Brannon found pageants to be her outlet and won Miss Arizona Teen America in her very first pageant.

Both Barby Ingle and Brittany Brannon were able to overcome their debilitating pain, control it and make it manageable through their positive attitudes and strong desires to live life to the fullest. Now they use their influences to share their stories with others and help inspire people around the country to take back their lives and not allow their own trials and obstacles to keep them from living.

Tune in tomorrow at 3pm PST to see these amazing and incredibly inspirational women in action, sharing their stories on The Pain Channel. http://www.PainChannel.tv

For more information on RSD and CRPS, see the following:

http://www.thepaincenter.com/complex-regional-pain-syndrome-diagnosis-and-treatment.html

http://www.thepaincenter.com/complex-regional-pain-syndrome-what-it.html

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