Tell us more about your experience with osteoarthritis… When were you diagnosed, how long had you had symptoms, and what did that experience look like?I was diagnosed with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) back in 2006. It all started as a result of a simple surgery in my left wrist to remove a cysts. Immediately I began to swell from fingertips to my shoulder and the skin became very modeled looking in colour and waxy. Worse than that however is the intense burning chronic pain that I have to live with. There are a host of other symptoms that go along with like hair loss, disfigurement, and sensitivity to touch to name just a few. I ended up losing function of my hand as a result. About two years later the disease spread down to my left ankle after tearing the tendons in that ankle. As a result of it spreading I was only able to walk with the use of a cane. In 2011 I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in my neck, back and hands while I was undergoing treatment and testing for my CRPS. This makes the pain worse and I deal with more flare ups with my CRPS because of the osteoarthritis. As the symptoms of the osteoarthritis, such as bone loss and joint stiffness, progress it makes my CRPS symptoms worse.

My final thoughts are these! This has been an epic journey that has yet to find its conclusion. I’ve had periods of time in this journey where I’ve had to go through things most people don’t have to go through! However I remain optimistic that someday I will come out the other side of this battle able to defeat both of these illnesses. Until that time I will continue to advocate and help others afflicted with CRPS and Osteoarthritis.       

Thanks, Ross! To connect with Ross, you can find him on Twitter @Rossco006, Instagram as Rossco166 and at his photography site Ross McCreery Photography.

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