Hi Mom,

I am so sorry that you are suffering so much both physically and emotionally.

I just wanted to share my daughter Sarah's experience with an epidural. She was diagnosed with RSD in her ankle within 10 days of a sprain. Soon after she was referred to a pediatric aniesthesiologist who immediately put her in the hospital for a week-long epidural. During the process she did not realize pain relief; but within a few days of coming home her ankle pain stopped. On her first day back at school, she tweaked her ankle and the pain returned. At that point her doc followed up with a spinal nerve block and the pain again resolved.

In retrospect, if we had it all to do over again, I would have been more concerned about all the meds she was given. She was prescribed many of the typical meds in addition to antibiotics for a staph infection she developed from the epidural. When I asked if it was o.k. to be taking so much, the reply I received was, "yes, if her stomach holds up." Sadly, it didn't ... and within a few months she was diagnosed with RSD in her stomach. I know that you are trying very hard to be cautious about medications, using them only when you absolutely need to. I wanted to share this as it was in fact too many meds that we should have been most concerned about.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Jeanne