I have had 8 surgeries on RSD effected limbs what they have done is a post nerv block just before surgery and I have taken vitamin c before after surgery they used different pain medication after like the last 2 times I had shoulder replacement they used tordal and dilad every 4 hours while I was in hospital then when I when home they used different pain medicine that I was not taking before on till I did not need the stronger stuff from surgery then I went back to my normal pain medication for my RSD and I had to get booster nerv blocks bone to keep the RSD under control hope this helps.