I couldn't agree with you more Tam.... everything says "with conservative treatment early...." blah blah blah. I've done some reading in the last 4-6wks about CRPS, and I've found alot of the same stuff- "if you take action quickly enough, then....". I think I was lucky to where I got to a doctor about 1yr after my first symptoms (about 6mo after I first started raising a stink about my fingers being numb and my arm hurting). Still, I don't know how much nerve damage was/is being done. It seems that docs either a). don't know about it, or b). don't believe it, and think you're just looking for some meds. If only they knew.

So, how do WE help them learn to be more agressive and proactive in the future, so that MAYBE one day someone will be able to get conservative care early? Just food for thought. I don't have an answer. then again, i don't have a job, so I have some free time to think about that one....