Jenn,

Welcome to the forum. It is a good place to learn and a good support structure for those of us with CRPS. And sometimes, just a good place to "vent" to people who can relate.

It's good that you mapped out the history a bit so we know more about you. Every journey here is personal and unique. And no, you're not crazy! But this condition can make you think that you are.....Can you put your finger on any triggering event, any trauma to the affected area? Oftentimes, it starts with what seems to be a very slight injury. One of your doctors should start you on some medication for pain, if you haven't already been. It can be a challenge finding out exactly what medications hellp, but many of them do help quite a lot. (my main drug is neurontin) Nerve blocks are a common treatment, but they didn't help me.

CRPS is arguably one of the most misunderstood conditions of the human body. And make no mistake, it is widely misunderstood even by professionals. I have had to see countless professionals before settling on a "team" of doctors and therapists that have had experience with CRPS. Ask each professional you see how much experience they personally have with it. If they say little or none or worse yet, if they ask what CRPS stands for, hit the road and keep looking! You will find the right people, but it may take a little time.

Best treated by a multi-disciplinary attack, my team includes my G.P, my podiatrist (who is the team leader) chiropractor, massage therapist, physical therapist, (who taught me how to perform my own twice daily therapy) and pain mgmt doc once in a while. I developed CRPS in September 11th, 2008 (I remember that day!) after multiple foot surgeries. Took about a year to actually figure out the darn thing and get a solid diagnosis, took another year to develop a best practices strategy (including meds) for treating it, but I will say things are a lot better three years down the road.

Here are a few links that might be helpful. The first link, check out "healing practices a-z". There are some alternative therapies, when combined with traditional western medicine, that can really be helpful. Good luck to you Jenn and hang in there. Things CAN get better. But be sure to get lots of looks and opinions. This isn't a simple condition.

http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/

http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/2672

http://rsdrx.com/

http://www.rsds.org/index2.html

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1145318-overview

http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/en_c...uidelines.html