Hi MomInPain,

I agree with what GymJunkie said, if I was you, I would try some of the medications that the doctors offer to you to see if they work for you - if they don't, then I would come off them and then try something else. I know you hate taking the medications, I think everyone does but IF it stops you from being in so much pain and the benefits outweigh the side effects, then I would probably have to choose taking medications.

At the moment, I am not on ANY medications. Non of the meds have worked for me and I have tried all of them - the only one that offers me relief is Ketamine but I am only allowed to take it when the pain gets really bad as my doctor feels that it could affect my hormones due to my age. I've been told that my pain is Independently Maintained which means that it basically has a mind of it's own and the meds probably wont work in my case. The Doctors also believe that the RSD could have spread into my brain and Spinal Cord which is why nothing works for me.

For me, I feel better off the medications. The pain hasn't changed at all and is still between a 7 and 8 on a daily basis but I don't have to deal with some of the side-effects that the drugs have. I also don't feel as drowsey which means I am able to do more things when the pain isn't too bad.

Everyone is different though and I would really advice you to try most of the meds and then if they don't work for you, come off them. My Doctor told me to give the medications a month to work and then if they don't seem to be helping, to call him and he will tell me how to wean off them.

I know you hate taking medications, I did when I was taking them but IF they are helping you and the side-effects aren't too bad, I would take them as you don't deserve to be suffering in such bad pain! Please be prepared though to have an open mind and if one med doesn't work for you, ALWAYS be positive and think that the next one could work!! The way I saw it when non of the meds worked for me was that I was one step closer to finding the drug that would help reduce my symptoms!!

Take care of yourself and if you have any questions, please let me know. Please keep us updated when you can!!