Hi Krank and I'm glad you found us too. Support is so important. This forum if full of caring and helpful fellow RSDers. I personally have had RSD 14 years, but had two remissions during that time after having a lot of physical therapy, massage therapy. I got it following surgery, frozen shoulder, remission, then it went to the other side, more therapy, remission, then my left hand from water skiing, diagnosed with RSD, therapy It was 4 years before diagnosed with RSD. My left hand is permanently partially paralyzed-was given wrong diagnosis and didn't get therapy soon enough. I now have it full body like so many on this forum.
Though difficult, most will agree, keep moving. My left hand is the only limb partially paralyzed. I've had had a LOT of therapy and continue to do it myself. Swimming, water therapy have been the best for me. My hand therapist also put me thru desensitization. That is critical in the long run.
Desensitization is really important. The therapist puts your limb thru different fabrics, textures etc. I also did this at home dailey. You take like 6 plastic bowls and put cotton balls in one, sand in another, coffee grounds, rice, popcorn kernals, Run hands and feet thru these different textures. Many of us are critically disabled because of sensitivity.This helps so much.
I am going to try HBOT. My Dr. has two clinics that just opened and each of them has HBOT. That Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber. I would caution you regarding SDS treatment. Some like it, and others have gotten worse, more spread with it. I tried acupunture, and the needles were NOT good for me.
The last 5 years I've had a wonderful phychiatrist, neurologist, and pharmacologist. He has helped me so much to mentally, emotionally adjust to RSD. He understands this disorder and has adjusted meds that have helped.A lot of us have sleep disorder, I started a drug, seroquel xr 300 mg. he just finished a 200 person trial study. The restorative sleep has helped me so much with less pain. I sleep 8-9 hours and was able to cut my vicodin in half.
Anxiety is an issue with a lot of us, and when i started anti-anxiety med lorazepam, it helped me a lot, because it calms the sympathetic nervous system.With the new sleep med, I also was able to cut the anxiety med in half. Anti-depressants work well for nerve pain-I take cymbalta. RSD is an autonomic disorder, so if affects internal organs that are involuntary. I have high blood pressure now, and am on 2 meds. Everyone is different and react differently. Does your Dr. have experience with RSD. I would encourage you to read read read on this forum and also RSDSA on the web is really good.Go under Support and you'll find a place for your zipcode and you'll get a name and phone number to your closest RSD support group. They can be very encouraging, and you can find local Drs. that others have tried and like. Another website that is very informative is rsdrx.com Dr. Hooshmand is retired now, but his website is still up. The part called puzzles is 140 questions from RSD patients and his answers- very good.
Distraction is something a lot of us use. I like reading, researching, Warm bath with epson salt, scented candles, natural essential oils, like lavender you can put them over little candles, the scent is calming. Music has a wonderful calming effect. I love tennis, so am following the US OPEN
Remember to ask your Dr. about driving while taking Vicodin. My Dr. gave me so many hours for not driving after taking Vicodin.
There is a lot of information about RSD and autoimmune. So I eat healthy,fresh fruits and veggies. Also take immune boosting vitamins.
You'll know the triggers that put you in a flare, so try to take care of yourself. When I get the flu or chest cold, I'm sick for a longer than normal period of time.
You mentioned you were injured at work. There is no cure for RSD. WC in some states have lifetime medical benefits. That would be a very good thing to have. The meds are expensive and treatments are ongoing. Many on here choose to have an attorney to help them thru the red tape.
You'll find a lot of warm, caring friends on here that will be glad to be of assistance. I'm very sorry again you have RSD. Remember, stretching, massage, and proper physical therapy can keep you mobile. Take care, loretta