Nothing seems very effective as an analgesic for me. Tramadol will help take the edge off a little which is great but this is about it. I have to stop the pain from starting in the first place which means avoiding the triggers. It means getting as much sleep and exercise as possible but not overdoing it. Gabapentin is fairly effective at stopping the pain before it starts but won't help once it does.

This is the "cocktail" that has finally gave me some of my life back....
Norco,Xanax,Elavil,Celexa,Baclofen, and Topol for high blood pressure from the pain. Every RSD patient is different and they require different types of meds to help them.

Hi DONTTOUCHIT,

I apologize I answered the wrong question. The best medication that worked for me was oxycondin but I only took it for a short period because my PM Doctor would not percrip. it. I switched from 1 doctor to another and the new one would just not percrip. it. His exact quote to me on our first appt. was "If you are going to be a patient of mine I won't write for oxycontin". He thought it was a great medication but dangerous, and I wonder how he new this back in 2004, and also felt it would not stay on the market so why bother. And here we are some 6 yrs. later with formula changes, patients suffering and going through withdrawel because of a medication that was made to help. I believe Purdue who is the manufacturer is here is trying to make it safer for people to take. We have all heard all of the abuse stories.

To whoever asked about coming off of medication prior to a ketamine infusion: Sorry it's early this morning, only had 1//2 cup of coffed...

I have had 3 - 5 day inpatient ketamine infusions with boosters from 2004 - 2009, Jan 2009 was my last booster. I never went off any of my regular medications at the time and was never even discussed. But that was a couple of years ago. I have heard from more than one person that the doctors are requiring that your off narcotic medication especially when it comes to the Fentenyal Patch. And this is not just for ketamine infusions this is for many types of surgery,especially orthro type procedures. Why this is happening I believe is a 2 sided story, 1-they don't want to be responsible for the pateint if a serious problem occurs because of a patient being over medicated and 2-doctors don't want to write percriptions for narcotic medication anymore. So I would discuss with your doctor in detail what his protocol is.

Gabbycakes

So far, nothing has really made a great difference to my pain.

I've tried (not in this order) methadone, duragesic patches, tramadol, tylenol 3, vicoden, percocet in the "pain med" category.

Also, neurotin, lyrica, savella, amitryptilene (sp?) cymbalta, namenda.

These meds help a **little bit** and I have been on this combination for quite a while .... Topiramate (topamax), Baclofen, voltaren gel, RSD cream with ketamine, Lidoderm patches. Also the blood pressure med Norvasc has helped with the redness and coldness. hydrachlorathiazide helps with the swelling some.

Prescription strength Naproxin (Aleve) helps my over all body pain from long standing fibromyalgia and myofacial pain - but I can't take it any more due to bleeding in my stool. Switched to the voltaren gel. It doesn't work as well, but at least it is not dangerous to my intestinal tract.

I've had Fibro and myofacial pain since I was 17 - I am 52 now. In March 2011 I will have had RSD 10 years. In addition, I was diagnosed with Central Pain syndrome last year. So - my amount of pain may be more than some people. The RSD affects about 3/4 of my body now.

I am now on disability and not having to work has greatly decreased the stress on my body.

Evening all,
Haven’t been on for some time and thought I would drop by with a new question.
(1) As far as what I have used for the past 7 yrs. With this demon named RSD/CRPS..I think I have used almost everything, with little help most of the time! Best for me really is my TENS unit. There is not pain pill that takes the pain away for me. And now much to my dismay, it seems, if it’s possible the RSD has jumped from my LEFT FOOT to my RIGHT FOOT and both HANDS and WRISTS! Just stared about 2 months ago.
(2) My question is. Can RSD jump like that? Right now I live in Metro Detroit Michigan and was going to the University of Michigan for all my treatments, then of course INS. Changed and I can’t go there any longer. Any info or help or whatever you have to share with me, I am more than open to talk to the DR.’s and try it! Thanks for letting me share a bit. I am 64 yrs. Old, have a wonderful loving kind Husband, and four great adult children and 12 sweet grandchildren. Blessings to each of you and May you have some pain free days or at least hours! Thanks again…Hubbard

Dear "DontTouchIt",

I've had RSD for over 8 years and recently had a three level cervical 360 degree bone fusion. I have been on all of those drugs you mentioned and finally found a combination that appears to work as well as any and better than most. Keep in mind that RSD flares, at least for me, just happen and nothing works when those happen. Here is the combination I take:
* MS Contin 30 mg ( Morphine Extended Release ): I take 2 when waking, and 1 every 8 hours after that.
* Morphine Immediate Release 30 mg: 1 as needed for Breakthrough Pain.
* Soma 350 - 1 Four Times A Day
* Seroquel 100mg - One at Bedtime
* Klonopin - One twice a Day
* Zonegram - One at Bedtime

Because I have recently had bone transplants, I am unable to take ANY type of anti-inflammatory medication .... not even Motrin. IF I was allowed to take an anti-inflammatory medication, I believe I would have the perfect combination. I have worn the Fentanyl Patch, taken Lyrica, Gabapentin, Cymbalta .... you name it and I have probably tried it.

I have used Dilaudid. Dilaudid worked great as far as stopping pain, but within 2 weeks, I was needing my dosage increased and then increased again and again. When my doctor switched me to Morphine, I went through horrible withdrawal from the Dilaudid .... and that was with me taking a large dosage of Morphine. The KEY is the Morphine EXTENDED RELEASE (MS Contin or Morphine Sulfate ER). It keeps a steady dosage (better than the Fentanyl for me) and then the Imm Release helps the Breakthrough.

I noticed an improvement when he added the Seroquel and Zonegram at bedtime. I sleep soundly and a good nights sleep always helps me.

I hope this helps you. If you are like me, you have been through so many medications that did not work and you begin to believe there isn't such a thing as a medication that does. There isn't! It WILL take a combination of medications to keep your RSD under control. The trick is to find a physician who is willing to work with you and change the dosage as you need.

I also have cancer and I have worked extensively with Cancer Pain Management Physicians. DO NOT have a Cancer Pain Management Physician as your primary pain managment doctor. I've been there. They do not understand RSD and will treat you like they treat their cancer patients.

That is my two cents. I hope you can find a doctor who works with you and realizes you will need a combination of drugs, not just a narcotic or two.

Good Luck,

I would've be certain Lyrica was a big fat placebo if it weren't for all the side effects. It did nothing for me. Hydrocone 5 or 10mg helped...