To those who don't know my wife has had RSD now for 10 years. In those earlier days, the first few years with no diagnoses and treatment, jumping from doctor to doctor my wife was in severe agony. Her pain was so intense she couldn't even brush her teeth. She needed those narcotics to control her pain and calm her nervous system otherwise we would have lost her. As the years have passed her RSD has changed where she describes the pain as deeper in the bone but not as many stabbing kinds of pain, just a continues throbbing, burning. After 5 continuous years of many drugs including narcotics she no longer takes them. I can only comment on what I have observed in that she seems to be able to handle the pain much better, although I see her in pain everyday, all day. She avoids many things that she feels will trigger a flare, somewhat like walking on egg shells. Her situation was very difficult years back but she seems to be coming around to her old self, slowly but surely.

Good luck CWilhite, I hope it all works out for the best!!