I am a 21 year old EMT with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. I was diagnosed with bunions at 12 years old, and was told I would one day require surgery to correct them. I managed the pain through lifestyle, otc meds, diet, etc.

6 months into my career as an EMT, in June of 2024, the pain from the bunions became so unbearable I couldn’t work without putting my patients in danger. After seeing 2 podiatrists, both confirmed my best option was a lapiplasty surgery.

My podiatrist told me the recovery would be about 3-6 months. Immediately after the surgery, I had severe pain that was incredibly difficult to control. In the months post-op, my body was not recovering at the rate it was supposed to. Physically I was healing, but my pain was not decreasing.

After 6 months, I saw my podiatrist again to tell him about my persistent pain. In the beginning of 2025, he prescribed me nerve pain medication and muscle relaxers. Several months later, as my pain continued to worsen, he diagnosed with Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy/RSD and referred me to a pain specialist.

The pain doctor confirmed my CRPS diagnosis and told me he wanted to do a nerve block in my spine. I agreed, and 2 weeks later I had the procedure. It did not help, but after a week or so the increased pain went down, which the doctor took as a sign to do another block. The second nerve block worsened my symptoms exponentially, and I have been disabled ever since.

CRPS is the most painful disease in the world. I fight everyday just to perform basic bodily functions. The medical gaslighting never ends, and as someone with CPTSD this is particularly exhausting. I’m trying to stay out of the hospital but it’s hard. The CRPS has spread full body, and I can no longer eat.

any donations will be spent on medical expenses and things to help keep me comfortable through this time. Thank you so much for taking the time to read.