hi truth,
yes, stress can definitely make RSD worse since stress affects the nevous system which is already over worked.
it has been my experience that narcotic pain relievers simply numb the brain so you do not notice the pain so much, but you are still having it, and also they can take away your quality of life if your reaction to them is sleeping all the time and just being 'out of it' on them. now some people do well on them when they adjust to them. the thing you will see with RSD is how different things work for different people. it is not as simple as say insulin for diabetes ... no one knows what will work for you. i think meds such as neurontin, and there are several in that category, and again some work better for some people that others, work best to relieve nerve pain. you have to try and see what works for you and monitor yourself carefully. please remember with RSD you will know what is best for you more than any doctor. and you may need to shop around for one of those too. some use RSD specialist, some pain specialist, some their primary care. it is all up to you.
joan