By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

NORTH PROVIDENCE — Matthew Irving never planned on growing a beard. But the simple task of shaving, along with things like showering or just having clothing touching his skin brings on painful sensations for the 21-year-old North Providence man.

Since 2003, Irving has been suffering from a rare and debilitating condition known as Reflex Sympathic Dystrophy (RSD). This condition, also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain disorder that involves excruciating, burning pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating, skin discoloration, and extreme sensitivity to touch, among other debilitating symptoms.
There is reportedly no cure, and Irving’s family has tried every treatment available in the U.S. to relieve their son of his daily pain cycle. Now, the family is hoping to be able to travel to Germany so the young man can have a radical and costly medical treatment that doctors say provide RSD sufferers with remarkable results.
Called ketamine coma protocol treatment, the patient is put into an induced coma for five or more days and is given large doses of the drug ketamine. Approximately one-third of those treated have been pain-free for more than five years. However, the treatment has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so the only places it is currently available are in Germany and Mexico.
Russ and Nancy Irving, former Pawtucket residents, say that up until about seven years ago, their son, Matt, was a healthy and active teenager who was an honors student at North Providence High School. He was an altar server, a swimmer and was working on his black belt in tae kwon do.
However, Irving was born with one leg slightly shorter than the other, causing him to limp, so at the age of 16, he underwent supposed routine surgery to correct the problem. A nerve was mistakenly cut, and when the bandages came off, Russ Irving said his son’s foot and leg were a dark shade of purple. He said it was then that doctors told the family that RSD had developed as a complication of the surgery.
Since that time, Russ Irving said, his son’s painful condition has grown steadily worse. He began having to use a wheelchair early on, because the pain of standing was too much to tolerate. His daily symptoms now include excruciating pain in his feet, hands, forearms, spine and head, sharp jolts in his spine, stiff and painful joints, and extreme sensitivity  to touch.
Irving also suffers frequent headaches and body spasms, has trouble swallowing, and experiences an intense feeling of “pins and needles” when touched, particularly when he eats and drinks. His condition is also worsening, making it difficult now for him to use his hands, or do much of anything except lie in bed.
Irving said that he and his wife Nancy have tried numerous doctors and treatments for Matt, including injections of ketamine, but none have worked to provide significant relief. While acknowledging that the German procedure is risky and comes with no guarantees, he said they both feel that this is their son’s only chance for a pain-free existence, even if it is for only a five-year period of remission.
“Supposedly, it re-boots the body’s sympathic nervous system, like a computer re-boots, and the person is pain-free,” explained Russ, a computer programmer for the state. 
After exhausting local doctors in trying to find help, the Irvings turned to Dr. Robert Schwartzman, of Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. It is Schwartzman who recommended the ketamine procedure and Matt’s name was put on a waiting list. About three weeks ago, the family received word that a spot had opened up for Matt if he could fly to Germany by next month.
The family is trying to raise $75,000 through donations and fundraising efforts. The procedure itself costs around $50,000, and there is the cost of airfare to Germany, plus food, lodging and other expenses for the family’s 4-6 week stay that is recommended, and for the extensive follow-up treatments that are necessary.
Both Russ and Nancy say they are grateful for the support, financial and otherwise, that  they have received so far from family, friends, their church, and members of the community. However, their medical bills, many of which are not covered by health insurance, are staggering, and Russ Irving said he has re-mortgaged his house on Linwood Avenue three times. He said he does not like asking for money. “I was always taught, as a man, you always take care of your family. But, he is slipping greatly,” said Russ, choking back tears.
“He is truly my hero,” said his mother, Nancy, who provides daily care for her son. “He suffers 24/7.”  She said that she has noticed his conditioning worsening by the day, which is why she was so glad to get a call saying that Matt had been moved up on the waiting list for the ketamine treatment “When Dr. Schwartzman asked, ‘Are you ready? I paused, because I knew we still had a long way to go (with funding the trip),” she said. “But, I think God opens the door. I believe there’s a miracle waiting for Matthew.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by sending a check or money order to: Matthew Irving RSD Medical Fund, c/o Sovereign Bank, attn: Suzanne C. Hebert, 1025 Smith St., Providence, RI 02908.
More information can be obtained through Matt’s website: www.SetMattFreeOfRSD.com.
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