What medicines have helped you the most?
 

New to CRPS and right now I feel like I'm going to go insane with this pain. It's totally unlike anything I've ever experienced before and several times tonight I felt like crying.

I see my PM on Wednesday and in addition to doing another sympathetic nerve block - which I'm all for- I want to talk about some additional med mgmt. I'm currently on lyrica 600mg (moderately beneficial), Cymbalta 60mg (mood and pain) and Percocet 10/325 ( at this point of minimal benefit). I don't see much point of staying on this Percocet since its not really working. But what else?

Thanks to all.

You name a drug and they've probably tried it. Too long a list to give you but it includes morphine, methadone and even botox. Quite simply there is no known drug or combination of drugs which works on more than 50% suffers and then only gives temporary relief. All you can do is inform your doctor and ask if he can suggest anything else to try.
We all have stages where we do cry, it can relieve the pressure and help you so let it flow when you feel the need.
One thing I have found helps is to leave my hand soaking in lukewarm water.

Gabapentin, naproxen sodium and amitriptyline are the cornerstone meds for me.

Gabapentin for the neuropathic pain, naproxen sodium for inflammation and general pain, and amitriptyline is an old school anti-depressant that also seems to help some off label for CRPS pain.

I have never seen a condition where the meds necessary to control pain are so very unique to the individual. Lots of "trial and error" is often necessary and encouraged.

Welcome to the forum. I personally have gotten the most relief from Butran's, clonidine, and my abilify (for sleep). Now my bad days are much fewer.

clonadine did not work for me. I use norvasc, and have better color and temperature in the affected areas if I use it. I have High Blood pressure, and am on avapro also.

Baclofen really helps the electric shock feelings, & the spasms. Does not eliminate them, but does help. And, it is not expensive.

Voltaren and also an "RSD cream" that I have posted the "recipe" for before, also help a little.

Aleve at prescription doses helps, but at what cost? All the anti inflammatories are supposed to be bad for a person, long term. So I use it rarely. I do think I would be better, overall, if I took naproxin regularly.

I have not used any pain med that has really helped. Tried many of them. Strong ones. Dilaudid helps sometimes. Vicuprophen with additional motrin helps, but none of them help very much. I use them sometimes during stormy weather. Tried patches, shots, blocks etc. Meditation helps as much as anything. Calming down and not tensing up with the pain is important.

I totally agree that every single one of us is different and has a different recipe as to what works. It’s odd, what might work for a while for you, may later prove to be ineffective. And then later try that same drug again, and it works again for a while. The symptoms, for me anyway, seem to have a mind of their own. It is very hard to judge what tomorrow will look like. Some symptoms are guaranteed daily, and others are random, or come on strong, stay for a while, then dissipate. Probably one of the most frustrating aspects of this disease. Always nice to know what options are out there though, and how much it has helped or not helped others.

Me = Gabapentin 600mg 3x day. The following are PRN: tramadol 50mg, diazepam 5mg, oxycodone 5-325mg, oxycodone 7.5-325mg, Soma, 350mg, zofran 4mg

I feel I am missing a good daily antidepressant for control of pain and sometimes emotion. To say that RSD/CRPS can get you feeling a little blue from time to time, i think would be an understatement. Just my opinion.

Thanks guys.
Sometimes I get so frustrated with my doctors I want to scream! I see a PM, psych, neuro, cardiologist, and IM. Today I saw my psych because she put me on seroquel which was a nightmare for my mood and didn't help my sleep (the reason I'm seeing her). She wants to increase my cymbalta. Fine, except it doesn't help for sleep. I had to suggest trazadone for sleep and she said "yeah, I'm fine with that". Well, thanks! Sorry. I'm just over this whole thing. I feel like I'm begging for help and it never gets any better.
I appreciate the suggestions.
Oh: question. I do have topical lidocaine 5%. The problem is that my foot is so sensitive that it hurts to touch it to apply it. Any suggestions?

I use trazodone for sleep as well. It WORKS. And it has a minimal side effects profile. Good thing you suggested it and hope it helps you.

Sleep is important for everyone, but for those of us with chronic pain, it is absolutely vital for handling what that next day brings....

The best advocate for us medically is always ourselves.

Good luck!

Keep trying to touch it. Desensitize it as often and as much as possible.

Find the softest smoothest material you can find, very gently rub persist until you can take it then in steps move upto rougher materials

Ketamine infusions have been more effective for me than any other treatment.

I started with the 10 day low dose outpatient protocol in April 2010. I currently receive 225 mg, 2 days in a row, every 4-5 weeks.

My RSD is not completely cured. But I am so much better than I was. I still take Topamax, Clonodine, Cymbalta, and Fiorcet PRN.

Good luck to you. Sandy

Thanks, all, for the suggestions. So now I'm on lyrica 450 mg, cymbalta 90mg, Percocet 10/325, trazadone 150mg, amitriptyline 100mg, and ambien cr 12.5mg. I've had problems with insomnia for 20 years and have been taking ambien on and off since 1992. I have the tolerance of an elephant when it comes to sleep meds, so even with all these meds I still have trouble with sleeping! The pain just makes the sleeping issue so much worse. It really is a struggle just to make it through the day - but primarily it's a struggle at night, when the pain is so much worse.
I know I need to work on sensitization of my foot, but the idea of something touching it makes me literally nauseous. But I know I've got to bite the bullet.

Hi, I'm new to the boards. My pain doc's have me on pain meds with immediate release and then one with extended release. I take the extended every 8 hours and imm every six! It seems to help with the coverage of pain:)

I've had RSD for into my 30th year. I can say, with certainty, that Methadone, is the ONLY medicine that has Taken the 'Burn' away! It has saved my Life! Then, Diazepam (for spasms), and once in a while 'Aleve' for, inflammation.
I used to have migraines, then, found I was diabetic, so insulin has taken care if that,

I also use Cynbalta, @ 60mb/day, I have a head injury, so a small 10mg/day of Aricept, kick my brain in a bit.

These may not work for you, and, I'm NOT a doctor, just VERY experienced with RSD, TOS, and TBI, to name a few.

But, the methadone, I couldn't live without!
I can't stress that enough, I take 60 mg/day, and it's inexpensive, about $10/Mos.
Great!

What a relief.

I also love the lidoderm patches, for where my discs are shot on my back!

Hope this helps!


Pete



Asb

Sorry you are having so much pain. My 14 year old daughter has had CRPS for 2 years now with 11 hospitalizations and every drug known to man and then some. Honestly the best thing for he was the sciatic nerve block. She has her CRPS in both of her legs, they were able to insert a cathetar into her sciatic nerve on the top of her leg and infuse medication which worked wonders, the bummer thing is that it was only for 10 days. They had a “ball like” device that held the medication and it infused by a positive pressure technique. She was able to get a “break” and went crazy with PT/OT and was about 50% better once they pulled the cathetar. Now 4 months later was need another one, which is fine, but another surgical procedure to get it inserted. Check it out and do some research on it. This may be something to helps you too!!:D