Battling Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Season 2 | Episode 3

About.

Molly Armstrong lives in Cinncinatti, Ohio with her husband Ben. After tearing her ACL while playing collegiate soccer, she never thought that injury would set off a multiple of other health complications. Although hard, her hope remains and she continues to use her story to encourage others.

As Molly continues to fight for her health, she continues to put others before herself.

“It’s totally worth everything that I’ve been through if I can be an encouragement to other people.” - Molly Armstrong

“I felt like my whole life just went black… Because he was telling me the one thing that I absolutely loved I was never going to be able to do again.” - Molly Armstrong

“But the thing that I found is that… Um… You know I have to keep that hope. Even though… It’s like you can live a short time without food or without water, but you can’t live without hope.” - Molly Armstrong

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#injury #chronicpain #werethepeopleseries #collegiatesoccer

[dadtype]

Thank you Molly for your story, I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one who kept telling medical professionals there's something wrong. Back in 2018 I had two jobs on with a pest company and a Firefighter. One day at a big box store a mess of wood feel out and struck my ankle, my foot went numb for a sec but when the feeling returned I couldn't feel the tip of my great toe and pain slowly crept in. I told doctors something isn't right, instead of an MRI I was sent to physical therapy, which later I found out made things worse. At first I was told I had cellulitis which was very painful, but after the infection went away I started to have a burn that just wouldn't go away. At the time I was very active, worked out at the gym 3 times a week, hiked 10 miles with 100lbs of logging chain in a backpack. I'm 6'5" tall weighed 210 muscle I was a stomping tough tree lol, but I kept telling myself I'll get better it will go away, just push through it, as I have a high pain tolerance I thought if I could just ignore it I can still be a Firefighter. I worked so hard and all the training and certification we have to do to be able to be a firefighter is life long really and training and testing never ends. Being a firefighter was my life calling it's the only job I had were I felt whole complete it's where I was meant to be. As time went on I couldn't ignore it the pain is so intense, people can't imagine, I did go to a different pain management doctor who had a great main degrees under is belt and I explained it started in my ankle and it's slowly moving up the calf and back of my knee. He looked me over and touched my leg I jerked back he saw the color swelling the shine of my leg the hair that's missing and ask me some questions did an x-ray and he told me I have a very rare form of CRPS Type 2, rare because mine spreads. He said I'm sorry but it would be a great risk to your life if you went back into a burning house having this in your leg, I can no longer be a firefighter. That was a very dark period in my life, I understand how everything for you went black, I lost everything, had to force retire from the fire department, I did nothing wrong but turning in my gear and cleaning out my locker felt like I was fired for misconduct or something. A shameful feeling. I did after several months and therapy finally accepted it's not my fault, the years I was a firefighter God put me there for that time to help people and I helped a lot of people on their worst day. I got to do things others only dream about I was very lucky, but still I hear the sirens of my engine from the station that's 3 blocks away from my house head out and I know their missing a guy, I pray for their safety. Like a frog who dreamed of being a man to wake up and realize he isn't even a frog! Lol I still have my sense of humor. Speaking things up I was unable to work in 2019, haven't since as I'm disabled. It finally spread to both legs waist down. And it's spreading upwards to where I have pain in my organs I can actually feel my intestines on some days it's shooting it's burn and stabbing pains off and on here and there through my arms face and hands. It's hard for me to walk or even stand long. I now weigh 300 lbs, and that's do to not being able to exercise and the type of pain meds I'm on that slows the metabolism way down. I can eat once a day and be satisfied I actually have very low to no appetite, I know when people look at me and see my shirt that I'm a firefighter as see how big I am and unable to walk well and lol all the sweating pouring off my face they are thinking I just need to exercise, and when I tell them what's wrong they change they're look so I know they were judging me. I keep moving, I even tried the spinal cord stimulator trial but it barely touch the pain. I'm told eventually I'll be in a wheelchair. I no longer fear death, but I have a great family wife kids and support structure that I'll not be another CRPS suicide statistic. It's really a terrible disease, many times I can't even take a shower because the water coming out from the head that hits my legs and body hurts. And the one bathtub we have is a joke when you're 6'5" tall.
I pray you keep your head up Molly, and I mean that, it could be worse you could have the variant that spreads like me. But I keep going, and if I can, I know you can too! And to anyone who reads this, you are not alone, my prayers do include others who have CRPS, I may not know your name, But God does, I am accepting hugs, just be gentle. Thank you for reading.

[yvonnekneeshaw]

This was a huge encouragement to me … possibly have CRPS after ankle fracture … I had never heard of it before. Jeremiah 29:11 🇨🇦 ❤

[roxastherogue]

I've had it since I was 17. 5 years down the road it's a unbelievable struggle .I Physically becoming weaker each week. I met people who had RSD but I'd really love the time to speak to someone else with crps. I can't even imagine what life is like without constant pain and maintenance. This sounds so much like me and others I couldn't even finish watching it.
It took them 6 months to find a bone floating around in my ankle. They told me forever I should be walking. Trust the Lord.

[davidwright]

Thank you for sharing your story Molly. I was diagnosed yesterday, and my DR said our goal was to get me to the point where I had some quality of life. Going to do all that I can and pray a lot!

[nataliekhalilrealtor]

Molly... thanks for sharing your story. I’m a fellow CRPS er. God bless you. AMEN. You just said what I’ve realized. God brought me back to him and all glory to God and the kingdom

[Daffodil]

I am presently dealing with crps after a wrist fracture. I am a 72 yr old lady.
In 2010 I was in the same situation and doctors told me that there was no cure. I refused to accept that and though it took many months I slowly recovered. Proof that with belief and determination anything is possible. Back to the present- my hand and fingers are frozen and off the scale painful. Don't get me wrong- I have felt despair and depressed, but I have full belief that I will recover . I honestly wish that for you- don't give up hope.

[darrenhardy]

thank you for sharing your story as its brought the light into a dark loney place right now..

[vichagen]

Have been battling RND, a form of CRPS since 2015. The level of pain across my whole body is agonizing. I hate my new limitations, but received quite a bit of relief by balancing life and medical marijuana. It opened my life to more freedom and despite still having a lot physical challenges, I'm making it through college with accommodations. When you get a chronic illness everything changes and slows down, but I know I'll still find a way to live a fulfilling life.

[whitneymatsuno]

Thank you for telling your story, Molly. You are an amazing person. I can’t imagine the pain you endure everyday. Myles - thank you for capturing this story, telling it so beautifully, and putting awareness out there.

[yayascreations]

I was just very recently diagnosed with CRPS, after undergoing ankle fusion surgery! This knocked me on my butt, out of my mind and in so much constant pain. I’ve found a great team of pain management doctors, physical therapists and behavioral health specialist that I feel confident that I will get at least some relief. 🤞
Thank you for sharing your story!

[martvic]

Cant help the tears watching these >_<. So inspiring...

[rondacooper]

Well, that made my cry. I can't imagine all the emotions that you've gone through dealing with this. I'm glad that you have finally found some answers, even if they were not the ones you were hoping for. Way to come out at the end of this still being the fun positive person you are!

[flynnfriend]

Very touching and inspirational, and also beautifully put together. Great work.

[Hope_is_Love]

"every plan I had for my life was just done."
So true and so painful.

At 26 i had a failed radiofrequency ablation, resulting in crps. It's been three and a half years and it's just getting worse. I know a lot of the time disease comes around at some point in life. but I wish I could have gone through my twenties ans thirty's.

[leahgracelove]

She truly is an encourager. She encourages and inspires me and so many others. Thanks for sharing her story! Great video!

[drewbressel]

I was diagnosed with crps. I was in a car accident in 2002 where I broke my femur in 4 places. But, I ended up spraining my right ankle. I ended up on crutches for 17 weeks. It took me 6 months to get a diagnosis because it was showing up as a leg infection.

[ja_lil]

Its the most painful unbearable thing I've ever experienced... I think I have PTSD even watching this video

[Willow_and_Sage]

Husband was just diagnosed. I want to understand everything I can about what he is going through.

[vickiwaatti]

I have CRPS type 2. I have had to have my right leg amputated below the knee. I had CRPS before (it was due to shattering my right leg and ankle by falling in my kitchen) and it is worse after along with having phantom pains.

[Catedancej]

CRPS is so intense. Ketamine is the only thing that has helped me.