A new diagnosis
 

I was diagnosed this past Monday with CRPS after having foot surgery October 29th. I feel I was having symptoms from the beginning but it took many months to finally have the doctor take the time to pay close attention to the symptoms and send me to a pain clinic for evaluation. I have been prescribed gabapentin, meloxicam, lidoderm patches and hydrocodone. I am scheduled to have a lumbar epidural on April 3rd. I have been going to physical therapy for eight weeks and am seeing some improvement of mobility and the severe swelling is subsiding. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am very nervous of what lies ahead, especially the epidural. Thank you so much.

I had a lumbar epidural. The pain relief was very temporary but it did result in better range of motion in my foot that continues today. One thing I regret is that I did not ask for or know of the possibility of having ketamine at the same time. Do not expect to be able to use your legs much during the epidural. I had to use a commode and a walker for the first time ever during the duration of the epidural. After my 5 days of epidural, I regained all the use of my legs and did have about 2 days of decreased pain.