Thank you all for your responses. I'm still here, mostly listening ^.~

Infusions scare me, not sure why. I'll have to consider them though because I want my normal life back. I'm stuck with having to medicate the pain to a tolerable range and a strong desire to work as a nurse. These two things are exclusive of each other... Nursing and narcotics do not mix. I have tried several times to work only taking pain medication when not working and not sooner than 12 hrs prior to a shift... The up and downs of severe pain and some relief made me not such a good employee. I was always careful to give good and safe care to my patients but once out of the room.. I either had to rest in tears briefly before going to the next patient or push through and realize I was being overwhelmed by pain and thus causing irritability. Needless to say, after a few weeks.. It becomes obvious, something isn't ok with me. Then, because I'm struggling to do my best at dealing with the pain while providing patient care... And being ridiculed for " being slower " or for being teary during times when I can sit and chart... I had gotten quite defensive and angry... I couldn't understand that they couldn't see I was really pushing myself and doing what I thought was a great job providing safe care. It turned into a bad situation. I would push myself and work with the severe foot pain and barely make it to my car after a shift. A few times I just collapsed outside crying until I could get myself back up on my feet to take a few more steps. Every evening, sitting and crying in my car until I could get the pain under control long enough to drive myself home- only to hope to sleep a few hours and do it again the next day or two. This experience did/does not make me a good employee. I'm devastated by this as I had worked at this place for close to 10 yrs and never until this happened was I an undesirable employee. I'm truly emotionally devastated. I want nothing more than to be able to be pain free and un medicated so I can have my life back.

I am realizing I do not have a knowagable enough dr to treat this crps. He keeps saying, " usually this kind of thing burns itself out and goes away". Well it's been almost two years now, and it's only getting worse!

I'm so very frustrated. So far, the only effective treatment has been fairly strong narcotic pain Management. While it does keep the pain in a tolerable range, I can not figure out a job that I can do while keeping the pain controlled. Funny thing employers frown upon nursing employees needing narcotic pain management. Although, I'm not greatly affected cognitively ; I agree direct patient care isn't a good choice... I would never want to be a liabity to someone's health status. But, there must be a nursing position I can be hired for like Case mgt or chart review or I don't know... Something! It's so sad and scary thinking I may never be a nurse again. I know.. That's very negative but it is how I often feel. It's not something I want to explain during an interview as I hardly believe I'd be hired. I'm so very angry that I was hurt during my job and I will likely never be able to perform that same job again.... And I get treated like a degenerate for it. It makes me furious.

Ok... More forward progress stuff...I am starting an aqua low impact exercise and yoga class soon, so I can hopefully make some positive progress. I read many people do pool exercising, so thought I'd give it a try. I'm procrastinating on acupuncture and therapy hoping the wc insurance might approve it. Money is getting pretty tight and I just don't have much extra Atm.

Anyhow, thought I'd check in and let you all know I appriciate you being here =)