Hi Lori,

I can well understand the lumbar problems as I've had 4 cervical and lumbar surgeries so far and still have bulging discs all over.

However, keep in mind that ketamine will not repair any structural pain, only your RSD pain. Only your doctor or one well trained in RSD can tell you what the hope could be. I really think you need to get to a Dr experienced in it before considering ketamine further.

I don't know if that kind of swelling is normal for RSD? Hopefully someone else here could help answer that better.

There is no way of knowing how long the ketamine will last but it is extremely promising but does also entail booster infusions and for me, learning some new ways of coping with stress and doing all I can to minimize my physical over exertion. There really is alot many of us I think can do to help control our own pain once we can get the most severe pain under control, but that is the key.

No one can make life changes to help themselves when they can barely breathe due to the excruciating pain they are in and that's where hopefully some amazing Dr's will make alot of progress in our fight against it.

I am really sorry if I did not answer your questions well, it just sounds like your condition is very different from mine and not being a Dr, I certainly do not want to lead you in the wrong direction.

Dawn