Sorry you are hurting so much. It's bad enough to get hurt, but worse when you already have RSD. My RSD started in my ankle as well after a post-surgical infection in an injury from a car accident. About 14 months after the accident (before the doctors had diagnosed the RSD) I slipped while I was mopping and hurt my bad ankle again. I couldn't even get up for the rest of the day because of the pain and swelling. I went back to my ortho, and he prescribed some Relafen (an anti-inflammatory) and told me to keep it up and rest it. I'm actually considering asking the docs to add the Relafen back into my drug regimen because it really did help a lot with the swelling.

After my first surgery they had me in an "air-cast" for 9 months, it did help give me some support, but I later read that braces and casts are a BAD idea for RSD. The restriction can make the pain and swelling worse.

Maybe you could wet a washrag and freeze it so that you could allow it to reach a temperature that you can tolerate and still have a cool compress.

I REALLY hope you are able to find something that makes it bearable. Don't be afraid to call your doctor and tell them you need different medication.

Good luck!!