Hi, I'm hoping to better understand what "might" be happening to me?

I had an arthoscopic Knee surgery 6 weeks ago and have been struggling with my recovery. I was told after surgery that I'd be on crutches for 3-4 weeks after surgery and it's week 6 and I'm no where near the concept of walking.

At first I was told that yes, my recovery has been slower than usual but its nothing to be alarmed about and that I needed to be patient. THEN, my physical therpaist was fired for not properly treating me and I was assigned a new physical therapist. Some progress was made to regain range of motion and I was feeling optimistic anbout my recovery, but I plateaued and the pain and stiffness grew worse. The Doctor then diagnosed that I was struggling to regain my range of motion b/c of excessive scar tissue and that it would take breaking up that scar tissue by really PUSHING THROUGH THE PAIN and bending the knee during therapy. I did just that and after a few BRUTAL Physical Therapy session; one in particular where I was in excruciating pain as I forced my knee to complete a full rotation on the stationary bike which resulted in unbelievable pain, scream, sweats, shakes, etc., the Doctor is now concerned that I have RSD and has prescribed me Lyrica.

Today was my first day on Lyrica and I see my orthopedic surgeon on Monday to determine if the Lyrica has had any effect. If no progress is gained with the Lyrica he will then refer me to a specialist (of what sort, I can't recall - it was a lot of information to take in over a quick phone call).

For a while, I was really hard on myself about physical therapy thinking that I was wimping out and unable to handle the pain. Like I was an underacheiver or something and that I needed to toughen up...it was really tearing me a part and I wanted so badly to get better and back in my feet. I'm not a quitter and I wanted so badly to do waht was necessary of me (supposedly power through teh pain) to get batter. Up until the RSD I was so obsessed with my recovery I was CONSTANTLY thinking about my next therapy session and how I was going to deal with powering through the pain an dbending my knee. It has been awful. When the Doctor explained that he was concerned that I was dealing with RSD, I had a sort of relief that there was a reason and it wasn't just me "wimping out", but now I've read how awful RSD can be and I'm scared about how RSD may affect my recovery or even worse my life if it doesn't go away or spreads.

Can anyone share a similar experience and advise me on questions to ask my Dr. about my condition, what to expect, etc. etc.

I'm reading that if RSD is treated early it can be cured, but that early detection is critical. What is early? and was anyone else's first step towards diagnosis Lyrica? What can expect or hope for the Lyrica to do for me?

Thanks so much for your feedback!

Nicole