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Old 02-03-2012, 06:37 PM
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catra121 catra121 is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
catra121 catra121 is offline
Senior Member
catra121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
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Have you tried a TENS unit at all in physical therapy? It doesn't work for everyone but I know for me it was a lifesaver when the meds gave me little to no relief. I was able to get a portable one that I can wear all the time and it gave me the ability to do the physical therapy that I needed to do to get the function back. Another thing that helps a little (not a lot) is Lidoderm Patches. They are not a huge relief but they can help tak ethe edge off a little in some areas. Since my RSD has spread I cannot wear the TENS unit on my whole body so I use it on my ankle so I can walk and the Lidoderm patches in other places (often under my bra strap to keep them from hurting me too badly).

Does anything else help to give you relief like heat? Heat helps me so I have several different types of heating pads to help give me relief under different situations. A hot bath is also usually helpful especially if the pain is more wide spread. I cannot take showers anymore because I cannot stand the pain from the water beating on me like that.

Also...have they tried any sort of anti-inflammatory med for you? This was always part of my meds when I was taking Lyrica or Neurontin, in addition to an antidepressant, and then Tramadol for the pain. Vicodin did nothing to help me with the pain but the tramadol seemed like it was a little bit better. I know what you mean about a little relief being better than nothing...but it may be worth it down the road to see if there are things that could give you MORE relief than what you are currently taking because it is clearly not enough.
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