Going on and on is often the only way we find the answers to our many questions that we have. I've certainly done my share of it.

Hope someone with a similar experience to yours can jump in and give you some more insight. Since the RSD spread to my upper body I often get periods where my elbows (as an example) with freeze up and I can't bend or straighten them out and the pain is just excruciating. But that doesn't seem like what you have as it seems your problem is so much more severe (for which I am SO sorry for you...even with the pain I have every day I am so thankful that it is not worse and I hate to hear that people are suffering so much more than I am). I do not envy the position you are in having to evaluate a treatment option that could make you better with a definite risk of making you worse.

Wish I could be of more help.