Pamela,

Your question is one that has been asked many times. While treatment of many conditions is unique to that individual, it REALLY seems to be even more unique with treating CRPS. I have done quite a bit of research on it and what works for one person may (or may not) work for the next.....

Many doctors will initially prescribe neurontin (gabapentin is generic for it) and then go from there. That is what my podiatrist did for the CRPS in my foot.

The gabapentin works reasonably well for me, but I will agree that there is a bit of brain fog. It has cleared some over time as I have gotten used to the drug, but I still am not as mentally sharp as I was before I started taking it. I now make lists every morning to help me remember things!

The doctor tried weaning me off of the gabapaentin to see how well it really was working and boy did we find out in a hurry that it IS working! So back on it and the pain was definitely much better controlled. I take gabapentin, amitriptyline and trazadone (for mood/sleep). And another VERY important medication for me is naproxen for inflammation and associated pain. Oftentime docs will prescribe the 500 mg version of this drug, but to save a few bucks I just take two of the 220 mg of generic naproxen sodium available anywhere. Really the same stuff. I take 440 mg twice a day (always take naproxen with food and long term under doctors order) So that is my meds cocktail. It took me a year to develop this meds mix and while I would never rule out experimenting with Lyrica, etc.......as you always wonder if the grass is greener on the other side, for now I'll stick with what is working relatively well.

So there is no definitive answer. Sometimes you have to experiment a bit, which isn't fun, but if it results in better pain control, it's worth the effort.
Keeping a pain journal and notes about what works/what doesn't is definitely a good idea so you have some "history" to refer to as you work through this roller coaster ride. And never hurts to revisit what you are taking periodically as "tweaking" is often necessary.

Good luck to you and keep us updated!