Hello Chaos,

You are on the right track - YES, people with RSD have chronic pain associated with the RSD. But, just because someone has Chronic Pain Syndrome does NOT mean they have RSD/CRPS. One can be diagnosed with Chronic Pain if neck pain is ongoing or lasts longer than 3-6 months or any other type of injury/illness that causes ongoing pain. However there is usually an inciting event (injury) or disease process (ie., arthritis, cancer, infection) that precludes the onset of CPS.

The difference between CPS and CRPS type 1 & 2 formerly known as RSD (CRPS I) and Causalgia (CRPS II) are the symptoms, pain pattern and progression/spread of the disease.

Since with all of the above we deal with intense chronic pain then yes, part of the treatment is focused on how to live and cope with a chronic pain condition.

It may be helpful to others on this board to offer more information on what underlying condition or injury eventually lead to the CPS diagnosis. If in reading through these boards you find many similarities in symptoms maybe check with your doctors to see that CRPS 1 or 2 has been ruled out as a possible diagnosis. It isn't uncommon to be missed diagnosed.

Regarding vitamins: A multivitamin would be a great start. You can also increase daily vitamin C to 1000 mg per day. Taking an extra B supplement (including B6 & B12) will increase your energy and help aid the body in cellular healing. Magnesium, Potassium and Vitamin D3 are also great supplements to add or to be sure is in the multivitamin you may take. Ginger is excellent for anti-inflammatory and digestive purposes eaten raw or purchased for tea.

As far as exercise goes- it does help with pain and overall mood but, as you said this can be challenging when fighting pain or fatigue. Even if you can only walk use a stationary bike etc., for even just 10 min a few times a day that would be much better than doing nothing. I know it seems like it wouldn't help but, honestly it does. At least for me there isn't anything I can do without pain.. so I gauge my limitations more by how long it takes for pain to start to decrease after I stop whatever form of therapy I am doing. I know that I am okay and not pushing myself to hard if the pain starts to decrease within a few hours after I stop. I also brake up my daily therapy sessions into 3-4 blocks throughout the day rather than 1 long session. I follow each session with a short soak in epsom salt or some other form of pleasure and relaxation. Whatever you do for therapy exercise please don't set yourself up for failure by thinking you have to do it for any amount of time to receive the benefits it will provide. Start off slowly and increase by a minute or more every 2-3 days. Also, I would be reluctant myself to spend $$ on a gym until I was consistent in a home routine.. otherwise if you aren't able to use it for whatever reason you will then feel worse because of the $ already spent on it. Once you have established a routine for a month or more then consider this membership as a reward/upgrade to your established routine. Just my 2 cents on that

Anyways I do hope you find the support you are looking for!
Tessa