My husband has RSD in his left hand from sawing through median and ulnar nerves with his table saw. Accident was a year ago tomorrow, as a matter of fact. They grafted nerve from his leg to repair the damage. He had the whole list of symptoms too, except for ultra-sensitivity. Big swings in color and temperature in his fingers, nail and hair growth, terrible burning pain...

He was very lucky that he was diagnosed immediately and they got him into PT and did some blocks. At the time, he didn't think the blocks helped but he is now in at least partial remission so something worked.

I will say that at PT they did tons of passive exercises (which we also did at home every single night) as well as ultrasound to break up the scar tissue. He was on a pile of gabapentin for several months (3600 mg/day) but didn't think it was doing much so he weaned himself off.

He now takes no medication and has no pain. His fingers are still shiny and I think he's stuck with swollen knuckles for the rest of his life, but as long as the pain stays away, who cares?

He does not sit around the house. We live on 2 acres and he is constantly outside "piddling." He runs the weedeater, the lawn mower, used a plate compacter earlier this spring, accidentally ran a hand grinder across his shin. I thought he needed stitches but he brushed that off. He's done dozens of things that I was sure would bring back the symptoms but so far they have stayed away. I worry constantly and don't take a single pain-free day for granted.

There are many on here who have had this syndrome for many many years and are very wise. Based on our own very limited experience, I would say to try to use that hand as much as you can. Squeeze a sponge. Make fists with your opposite hand and copy it with your injured one (mirror therapy). Have someone curl your fingers in for you, if you can stand it. Initially, my husband could barely raise his individual fingers off the table (as in playing a piano). This went on for weeks and weeks but he kept at his exercises. He also soaked his hand in epsom salt every night for 20 minutes (because I made him) for swelling.

The other thing that I strongly encourage is to be your own advocate. You have made a great start by finding this forum. These people know! Better than doctors! But you need to know what all is out there for you so educate yourself. There will be times when you're sure you're at the end of the internet and then something will just pop up. 90% of what I learned, I found on this forum and by Googling different combinations of words. I suggested things to my husband's doctor and made him research them. He was kind and game for anything, but clueless. Straight out of med school! I come back to this forum each day because I have no idea what we'll do if the symptoms come back. This forum is my Continuing Ed!

I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope you will keep us posted.