Originally Posted by Nanc

So sorry to hear what you are going through, CRPS is a horrible monster to have to deal with! Everyone is different in what symptoms they suffer, but some are usually similar. For example, I do not have near the discoloration as many others do, but the pain...the pain is horrendous! Everyone is different in what treatments help them also.

The most important thing for you is early treatment. That will increase your chances of remission. The other very important thing that the others here mentioned is sleep. I always hated bedtime, because the pain was turned up then for some reason. I was very sleep deprived, which doesn't help emotionally to deal with this.

I was first diagnosed 20 years ago with it in my face and was treated aggressively with blocks and meds. I was in remission for 13 yrs before having a huge flare up in 2005. Then in 2009 I injured my hand and it came back with a vengeance. It mirrored over to my other hand, surgery on my shoulder caused a spread...then it spread to my left leg. I could not and still cannot tolerate most medication, ice, heat, TENS unit or PT. Because I couldn't get a correct diagnosis for a while with my hand, it spread and the blocks didn't help so much this go around. I had a lot of blocks, they didn't cause a spread for me. I had two spinal cord stimulators implanted in 2011, and they saved me! I have regained use of my hands, I can raise my arm now and my leg does not kill me as much riding/driving in the car. My pain is reduced greatly. My sleep is better, but not as good as it should be.

Like I said, everyone is different in what works for them.

I hope your dr will help you, if not then you need to move on to one that will. You need to advocate for yourself. I also hope you find relief soon!!

Nanc