Hi Ozzie

You've had some good advice here. I understand your frustration, but pain management courses etc can actually be very useful when dealing with something so long-term and painful as CRPS. If you do have it then it can offer good advice and techniques - I was VERY scornful of pain management until I did it and over time I've realized that most of the meds and treatments can be be somewhat ineffective compared to a good attitude, regular movement and stretches, pacing effectively and relaxation techniques.

I developed CRPS type II after a knee arthroscopy just under two and a half years ago. It's spread to my whole left side and right foot. The first six months to a year were the worst, when the pain was highest and everything was confusion and misinformation. Then I got a good physio and pain doc, a med that helped a bit, and the pain management programme. Last winter I was on crutches and in a wheelchair out of the house - at the moment (fingers crossed) I'm on my own two feet again and feeling much more positive. The pain hasn't gone, but it's changed and I've learnt to deal with it better. The support and advice on this forum has been an amazing help, just knowing that there are other real people out there dealing with this!

Good luck and keep fighting. Get that lawyer if you possibly can, because money really does make a huge difference when fighting this thing, and if it's been caused by a car accident then you need a good lawyer who can get you as much as possible.

Have a good read around this forum and the threads on the first few pages. There's loads of hints and advice for coping, and lots of things to try. In time you'll find a groups of techniques, exercises, meds etc that work for you and make your days easier.

Keep smiling whenever you can and keep posting!

Bram