Hi. Sorry I've had such a low profile.....tuff few days with this thing.
In my search for help, I have found addressing individual aspects of CRPS most helpful. I'll come back with some meds that help in their tiny way when I can sit here longer.

One thing that does help is Reiki. This sounds wierd from a very technically grounded scientist. but......
One of my veterinary friends was visiting and sitting across the room some 4 or so metres away and started rolling her hands in a circular motion .... not obviously focusing on the site of my CRPS..... she is so powerful with her techniques that from that distance she was able to draw much of the pain away. Unfortunately when she left it bounced up to a ten.

I had always thought it a crock. She did the same to one of our animals in close proximity with a very tender back which felt much better and remains so. I guess there are no pre-conceived ideas in the cats head.

The best part of this is I learned how to do Reiki but in my own way. I have, however, also learned that I can flick the pain away for a short time but would have to do this all the time to lower pain scores to a tolerable level. I do it when the pain score climbs if I am with it enough to remember and start.

I have also learned to redirect the pain - I accidentally flicked it at my wife while in a hospital waiting room. My wife let out a yelp - and she did not know I was doing it. It was as though I had cracked a whip on her thigh. I felt awful.

However, having perfected this technique a little I have learned to direct it (so I don't bash anyone up).

When I advised I use Reiki I was scoffed at by my pain specialist. I decided to share just a small amount of my pain with him. I know it was mean and I am generally very forgiving but he had pushed too many of my buttons that day. He turned ashen and went through many of the changes we do when the pain is bad. However, I could not sustain the effort. I did not explain to him what had happened as I had had enough.

Explain it with science I cannot ....but it was very satisfying and if I can muster the energy, Reiki does help???? I don't really care if it is a psychosomatic effect or whatever....I'll take any help I can get. I'm not nuts - truly.

If it helps anyone else, at all, it is worth the post.

Regards to all.