kbltrn, I really understand the stress and the unknown-the fight it takes to acquire benefits that your husband is entitled. He will receive what he deserves but it does take time and patients. I'll repeat, he will receive his benefits. My wife also refused to take anti-depression meds such as Cymbalta and lyrica. In the early days of her condition she was accused by her doctor as being a fake, all the pain was a way for her to get attention. Her own family had serious doubts about RSD especially her mother, but not any longer. She did try lyrica and had a bad reaction to it, but that was her. As someone posted earlier these do help some calm the nervous system down, others not so much. By the way my wife broke her right wrist which triggered RSD and spread. She does say the pain was much more intense and different in the early days than it is now although her condition spread.