I really don't know. Medical habits...treatments, get very cultural. In US there is a liability term used called "standard of care". So most doctors have journals which explain this, and they all sort of band together and adhere to it to keep their insurance premiums down.

Daniella ( she also has RSD) here was offered a lidocaine infusion. And I have read on another board--at another site-- in the past, some chronic pain patients have tried it.

Some RSD doctors offer it here in US.

Lidocaine does affect the heart, and so there may be a liability constraint here.

Here is an article illustrating it:
http://www.ionchannels.org/showabstr...?pmid=10863041

and this:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/409782_4
(you have to join --it is free-- to view medscape)

I really think it is a benefit vs risk decision. (both for the doctor and patient)

I've been on Elavil (50mg) and Gabapentin 600mg 2x for about 5 months. Pain relief, not really. Now my neuro is adding Carbamazepine, which I guess is another anti-seizure med like Gabapentin. Well, at least he's trying something...my last doc refused to prescribe anything at all for me.

I can't believe these Doctors who won't prescribe anything. I'm glad you found a new Dr. You are on a low dose of Gabapentin compared to some people. I hope your new med helps you.

Thanks rose. Yeah those kind of docs...and then there are so many laypeople who disparage medications too. They say, "you just want to take a pill to make it go away" to which I say "YES, that would be the best of all possible worlds, you %#&ing idiot!" I don't really say it. But I think it.

I was on 3600 mg/day of Gabapentin before. One of these days we're gonna find the right combo...I hope soon! This doctor does seem like he's trying. He ordered a new EMG for me and is going to perform the test himself..pretty fancy-schmancy, eh?

I must confess.........like those people wouldn't want it to go away if they were in our (painful) shoes!!!!!!!!!!!