Hello Smoke and Welcome to Neurotalk!! It's great that you have found us and theres many great people here who i'm sure will try and help you in anyway they can!!!

I'm sorry to hear about everything that you have and are still continuing to go through!! I give you lots of credit for still being able to work and support your kids as I know it can't be easy at times, especially when you're in a lot of pain!

I also suffer from RSD. I developed it 2 years ago when I was 12 years old after an ankle sprain to my left leg and it has since spread to both arms after further injuries. I've tried all sorts of medications and therapies to help but not that many have helped really and some made me worse.

Do you currently have any Physical Therapy?? PT can be really useful in treating RSD and it is extremely important that you move your affected leg as much as possible, even though it hurts a lot!!!! I go to PT once a week and also have exercises that I do at home on a daily basis that are supposed to try and help with the RSD and Dystonia (a really bad movement disorder caused by my RSD).

Have you looked into the natural options such as HBO (hyperbaric oxygen)? There's a few people on this forum who have tried it and had good results from it. We looked into it for me but in my case, my dr didn't think it would help.

Some people say that things like Epsom Salt Baths, TENS units help. Like everything with RSD though, everyone is different and therefore you cant determine what will work and what wont - it's a matter of trial and error.

I completely understand your worries about medications. I don't like taking any meds due to the side effects and my dr also fears that they could affect my hormones because of my age etc. I dont take any medications at the moment as none worked. I only take Ketamine when I am in a really bad pain flare as that is the only thing that works a little and doesn't cause any severe side effects.

If you need anything, please dont hesitate to ask - i'll try and help you if I can!!!

Take care of yourself. You're in my thoughts!

Alison.