Coastal Bend Chronic Pain Center, RSDS, Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Asthma, Migraines, Corpus Christi

Patient & Family Testimonials

Shari

My name is Shari. I am now 54 years old and I went to Dr Rhodes in Dec of 1998. So I was in my early 40's.

My story is this. I taught high school Physical Education, aerobics, step aerobics and weight training. I also was the Varsity Women's Volleyball coach. I was finishing my Doctorate. I was in awesome shape, married, and three children (two children out of high school and 1 in).

I tore my rotator cuff in my left shoulder in 1993. I did not choose to have it fixed until fall of 1997. I did not want to take time off. I had surgery in Oct. 2 weeks after the surgery I felt pain during recovery that was out of character for the surgery. I was hospitalized again and drugged. I returned to physical therapy and for two months was OK. I returned to work OK. But while going through a gym door the wind blew it back on me and pulled my left arm back sending a searing burning pain through me that I will never forget. I left work that day and returned to another orthopedic surgeon thinking I had re-torn my cuff. I DID NOT. However, the pain continued through my shoulder down my hand. I had swelling, a bluish hand, and my shoulder was very dark like a bad bruise. I went to 3 Dr's. I met a 4Th, an Ortho Doc. in California who does all the sports teams in California. He did a few tests and told me I had RSD of which I had never heard. I began a series of meds, (none worked). I never returned to work. I became bed ridden from April until about Nov of 1998. My pain was so bad all I could do was roll from side to side in my bed and walk around the house. My arm would cramp and my hand would claw like a severe calf cramp. My arm would stay cramped turn blue and nothing I mean nothing would release it.

 I would go to the ER and have to have a block. During this block a physical therapist would come into my room and work my hand and arm out.  I was hospitalized at least 4 times that year. My stays were from 3-10 days at a time. NOTHING WORKED for any length of time.

I continued to fight back by walking, stretching, being positive (it was hard) and searching for answers. I contacted a local RSD group. I had to see Anyone's face that had this RSD like me. My first meeting my husband and I went it just happened that one person speaking that night had just come back from Dr. Rhodes and she could walk after being in a wheel chair for 8 years (no lie). She cried and spoke of the treatment and how she went for it because no spinal cord, morphine, drugs not even nerve stripping worked. I booked a flight and left 1 week later to Corpus Christi with my mom. We were there for 3 weeks. I first had to de-tox from drugs. With the treatment I began to follow a strict no sugar diet, I allowed myself to go through the treatment with an open mind. I began to gain coordination, sleep, and my spirit back. I realized that in the daily routine my pain began to subside. It subsided to a 0-1, I tested it by walking daily, and doing arm exercises, and getting into normal life. I flew home Christmas Eve and walked off the plane pain free.

I still went back to Dr Rhodes when my pain would recur. At least 1 time a year for about 1 week, the years were 1999, 2000, 2001 and then never again.

I have a unit at home which I use whenever I have any kind of pain. (Oh I forgot) the RSD had spread to my left side and then both hands.

I lost my health in 1998, my full time teaching job of 18 years, and my 24 year marriage.......almost my sanity.

I now am pain free; I teach for Chapman University as a professor, I also teach Extreme Boot camp (outdoor fitness for athletes), I am re-married 6 yrs, and have 3 grandchildren who I surf with, ski with and do just about anything with them.

Dr. Rhodes saved my life cuz a life living in bed with pain and drugs all day was no life to me. It worked because we worked the program. It will work for you. You must go through the pain of coming off drugs, diet, and use his protocol even if you think it isn't working. One day you will wake up with less pain, and drug free. Please call me......I have been in your shoes and walked the same walk I totally GET IT.

There is nothing like talking live to someone who knows the pain you know.