Long story short, (and a few of you have already read the very long version, so I'll spare all of you) I developed CRPS in my left foot after surgery in Oct. 2010. Nearly right away it spread up my left leg, jumped across to my right and is spreading down that leg now too (thankfully my right foot has been spared, so far anyway). Currently on significant med "cocktail", and I will have my third lumbar sympathetic nerve block done this coming up Thursday. I really don't know what to expect after the third one... My doctor has told me that I'm right on the fence time-wise for the blocks to work completely, potentially putting me into "remission" of sorts. But I'm just trying to plan ahead, in case these blocks don't turn out to be my "lifesaver" after all.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand- I'm curious as to what you all have either experienced, or are being told by doctors is your "game plan" or even what y'all have read- Bottom line, I'm trying to get a REAL sense of what the best course of treatment is, especially after medications, and sympathetic nerve blocks have failed provide sufficient relief.

So far, here's the different treatments that I've either discussed with my doctor, or read up on myself...the kicker tho, is that there doesn't seem to be a general consensus as to the ORDER in which these pain interventions should be tried. (I think due to the fact that some may offer better chances of relief while being more risky if it fails, or the opposite, etc).

So here are some of the common therapies/pain interventions that I've heard about, if anyone has knowledge or experience about any of them, or the order in which they are tried- (which would vary from person to person I'd think) would be great. Just any info or insight would be so greatly appreciated- Thanks!!

(typical medications- neurontin, etc,
sympathetic nerve blocks- both usually the first things tried)

ketamine infusions
spinal cord stimulator SCS
intrathecal pump
water-based physical therapy
etc..?

It's just so hard to figure out the "whats" and "whens" of all this...(as you all are already aware of, I'm sure)

One other question for you all, especially those who have had success with never blocks- did you stay on your same medicines after the blocks? Because I wonder if part of the success of the blocks is maybe due to the combination of the block itself, and the medication already in the body's system... Just a thought.


Thanks everybody!!!