I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. In answer to your question about what definitely works...there is nothing that seems to work for EVERYONE in every situation...it's part of what makes treating this condition so hard. Blocks have been very successful for many people...especially in the early stages of the condition but also many get relief from them later. I was not one of those people who got relief from it...but I wouldn't count that treatment option out. Medications are such a personal choice...I have not gotten enough relief from any one med to feel it was worth staying on them and was off of everything for a long time until recently when they put me back on Lyrica...not sure how much it is helping and want to get off of it hopefully after I get the DRG stimulation implant.

I guess the one common theme though that does impact everyone is to keep moving the affected area. Immobilization will make it worse...so even if it's just a little bit every day or every few hours...try to move it and do some of those physical therapy exercise. Many find aqua therapy very helpful.

Many also find heat therapy very helpful. I take hot baths with Epsom salts, use heat patches, and also do ultrasound heat therapy. NO ICE! Ice is bad news for CRPS...can make it much worse. My pain goes through the roof if anything cold touches me...instantly to a 10 on the pain scale.

When my CRPS was in only one location I found using a TENS unit provided me a lot of relief. Try it out at physical therapy with heat and if it helps maybe they can get you a small unit you can wear during the day.

It really is important to get to a good doctor who has experience with CRPS. They don't have to be the top specialists in the country...but you do want to find someone with experience who can offer you different treatment options and help you decide what is the best treatment option for you.

Keep us posted on how you are doing and with any questions you have. There is a lot of experience on this site and we've all been through a variety of treatments and had different experiences so we can give you lots of things to look into and try. And also just offer support...because this is such a hard thing to go through and as much as family and friends might empathize and support you...they don't know what it is like to go through this. We're here for you.