My name is Lauren, and I've had CRPS for almost 20 years, which is more than half of my life.

I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), formerly referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), when I was a high school senior in 2000. 

Between 2000 and 2008, I went in and out of partial remission 5 times - each time due to a successful series of stellate ganglia nerve blocks performed with Ketamine by Dr. Kirkpatrick.  Between 2008 and 2016, I enjoyed my longest bout of remission.

​In July of 2016, my CRPS flared up again, spreading from my right arm to the right side of my face. Going through this in my 30s is WAY harder than I remember it being as a teenager.  The stellate ganglia blocks weren't working, so, in January of 2017, I underwent 4 days of high-dose, outpatient Ketamine infusions. It was terrifying at the time, and I left incredibly frustrated that I wasn't immediately "cured".

​Over the next year, I improved VERY slowly. Now, however, more than 3 years later, I'm doing very well. My pain levels stay below a 3, which is really manageable (no meds), and I've regained nearly all mobility in my right arm.

Why is it important to me to raise CRPS awareness?

• It sheds light on an otherwise shadowed reality for many of us.

• Having a devastating illness that isn't always easy to see and isn't well-known is isolating. Educating people about my life with CRPS makes me feel like I'm not fighting alone.

• When people know more about the unknown, they're bound to have more respect and empathy for me and everyone who might suffer from an illness.

• The more people who are familiar with CRPS, the easier I hope it will be for future patients to find the right care and support.