Originally Posted by Mslday

Allen I really admire what you have done too, it must have been very difficult for you to come off the drugs you had been on. You should be very proud of yourself and I'm sure your family is too.

I think there's a lot to be said about this approach. There is a study posted on the RSDSA.org site about this very situation where they found that pain patients who had been on high doses of opiates had significant reductions in their pain levels after they detoxed.
Author: Baron MJ, McDonald PW
Title: Significant pain reduction in chronic pain patients after detoxification from high-dose opioids
Source: J Opioid Manage. 2006;2:5:277-281.

Because of my allergies to many medications I'm on very little. My first line of defence is my Lidocaine infusions; they seem to keep me relatively stable. All I seem to be able to handle orally is daily ibuprofen, 400 mg 3 times a day with food and Tylenols 3.as needed. I hesitate to take a Tylenol 3 but do so if my pain flairs above 5. Failing that if the pain is getting out of control my last line of defence is to take an oxycontin but 5 mg will knock me out so I have to go to bed but it usualy helps calm things down. Breathing and heat application are also big time pain relievers for me.

When I was first diagnosed with this I was put on all the usual drug cocktails and I didn't know if I was coming or going. I have a very close friend who is a physician and when he first learned about my diagnosis he rightfully cautioned me against taking most of the drugs that were being prescribed in such a shot gun approach. I should have listened to him but I always hoped there would be something out there to help me. I’ve never found anything to help with the deep bone pain I experience. Mind you the pamidronate infusion I had did make that subside for a while, only problem was that it caused an explosive motor sound in my head that caused hearing damage and tinnitus, they tell me it’s only been reported in 1 other patient in the world.

Today I went to buy my cane. I realize that the longer I put this off the worse it will be for me because I’ve really thrown out my hip and my back with my bad gait favouring my left foot/leg. I’ve always hesitated to use a cane because I fear being labelled disabled. There we go…it’s that fear thing again. At least I managed to find a fairly snazzy little number that will compliment many outfits

I’m not having a pity party. No, I know it could and can be much worse and while many of you struggle to just get out of bed each day I can’t tell you enough how much I admire your spirit, enduring courage and kind hearts. I just need to re-frame my thinking about this.



Hi CZ, I can so relate to this comment you made cause I do that too, all the time. I always suck it up to make things as normal as possible and hate to complain. I always end up paying for it big time. My husband and I are living in different cities right now because of his work and I totally crashed emotionally and physically when he first left. I didn't realize how much I over compensate and hide my pain until I was left on my own to just be me and have my own time.

Now that I have my cane I feel a bit relieved in a way. It feels like I’ve been afraid to admit my RSD diagnosis, been in a form of denial I guess.


I hope you are all doing ok tonight.

MsL