Hello all,

A little back story:
I had surgery on my left elbow and hand 7 months ago and I have had nothing but chronic pain since and I was in much better shape before the surgery. The surgery I had was cubital and carpal tunnel at the same time. I found out afterwards from other former patients that their surgeons said it is NOT a good idea to have both done at the same time due to recovery problems.
Now, I am being told that I may have CRPS/RSD but I do not have all of the symptoms. I can tolerate touch to my hand and I do not have discoloration. The symptoms I do have are chronic pain that can be intense considering how long it has been since the surgery, stiffness, swelling, sensitivity to temperatures and no way of normal relief.
From the looks of it I probably have CRPS/RSD but I want to rule out it being a failed surgery that may have just ended up keeping my nerves entrapped. One other thing that occurred after the surgery was that they had used dissolvable sutures that never dissolved and were in for nearly a month causing me further discomfort and embedding into my skin they had to be removed in the office as they never dissolved. Even though I did my occupational therapy shortly after and did my at home exercises I sometimes wonder if the nerves got trapped due to far less activity after recovery and the sutures binding up that area and embedding?
So, that is all the info I can think of to share now I’m wondering if I truly have CRPS or do I have nerves that were aggravated and entrapped again due to bad treatment? Anyone go through anything similar?
I don’t know what to do. I have seen a neurologist and pain specialist and I am currently taking Gralise (neurontin) and Norco plus I try to keep it moving and use my left hand and arm as normal to maintain muscle. It has been only 7 months am I only at the beginning stage and will things get worse? OMG how can I handle that. By the way I’m a lefty and that is the arm and hand that are affected. This is so hard and I’m a father of a 9 and 12 year old and I feel like I can’t live up to being the dad I use to be.

Help please