I saw the dr. yesterday, we are going to hold off on the rfa and do 3 more lsb's one week apart. In the meantime, my meds have been changed. I am now on neurontin, tramadol, butran patch, clonidine patch and soma. (I think that's all) seems like alot.

Has anyone been on butran or clondine? Does it help?

I have clonidine patches. I don't choose to wear one every week, but use one if something is going to be exceptional from my normal physical routine. I find meds stay most potent when not used constantly. This is a nice option to have in my bag of tricks. And I find it decreases my hyper sensitivity to vibration and touch (allodynia) the biggest factor. Curious if your doc specified placement site?

Our you introducing more than 1 new med at a time, btw?

Yes, both the butrans patch and clonidine are new. My right foot is where my rsd is I was told to place on my lower right leg.

I wouldn't start both at the same time. How can you tell what works and what causes new issues that way? My doc always staggers my new meds attempts.

anywhere on the leg, or over a specfic area? thx!

I've not used the patch but I take clonidine with my night meds. I always say I feel better in the evening. It is for my BP and pain relief.

I agree with LitLove about not starting them both at the same time. One at a time is enough until you can isolate the side effects.

I am on Clonodine, I had the patch but it left terrible burns on my skin. so I switched to oral. I take it to regulate my BP and pulse, both were erratic until I went on it. I never heard of the Butrans patch..

Good luck, I hope they help you!!

btw - this is the same doc who wanted to do the RFA?? He recommended that you start TWO new meds at the SAME time. Dude, you need a new doc. This guy is a real dufus....

Xoxo. Sandy

Thanks Sandy for mentioning the burning!

This is another reason I don't use the patch every week. The directions tell you to change patch placement when removing one patch and putting on a new one. There is ONLY one area that gives me good results, and by about day 5 of the patch my skin starts getting red, and sensitive (you can see a red rectangle up to a week after removal, and this sensitivity seems to increase the more often I use them)... When I first started using them, I made the mistake of using the same spot two weeks in a row, and severe itching and burning were added to the mix.

Use alcohol to clean the adhesive remnants after removal, soap and water are not enough!

For me, the benefits outweigh the side effects for special, flare inducing occassions. The next time I use one I'm planning to set an alarm on my iPhone to remove the sucker at 5 days.

In regards to shopping for a new doc, I'd sit down and prioritize your needs. Unless you're graced with remission, this relationship can make the difference between coping with RSD and hopeless misery.

My PM doc is not an RSD specialist, nor does he run a pain clinic. He's an orthopedic surgeon that began focusing on pain patients as his practice matured. He is knowledgeable about RSD and has a few other RSD patients. Frankly, docs that specialize in RSD (or regular pain clinic docs) can't dedicate the amount of time and attention my doc does. I'm scheduled as the last patient before lunch, or at the end of the day, so if I need more attention during an appointment, it won't throw their whole schedule off for the day. We can strategize how to introduce new meds and treatments, deal with fun new symptoms (woo-hoo, not!), fine tune my med dosages and schedules, etc. etc. etc.! Sometimes I'm in and out in 15 minutes, sometimes he'll spend an hour with me, but it's almost always based on my needs, not on his. Every once in a while they'll explain he has an obligation, but they offer to then bring me back a week or two later if required. This kind of doc won't appeal to everyone, but he's been great for me.

There are docs that dictate to their patients, and there are docs that will allow their patients to dictate their own course of treatment. Be wary of both extremes if you decide it's time to look into replacing your current doc/s.

I'm on a clonidine patch right now for 4 weeks, but it's mostly to help with the withdrawal after my epidural, as that was one of the 3 meds in it. I'm back on my pain pills (nucynta) as well and I don't have any relief from either of them right now. Clonidine does lower blood pressure and I still start to black out most every time I stand up which is frustrating but I guess it's better than the alternative of worse withdrawal symptoms. And the patch is so small and only needs to be changed once a week that it's really easy.

Yellow--Nucynta is your only pain med? May I ask what your dosage and frequency is? How long have you been taking it?

From personal experience this is one of the trickier pain meds to use for several reasons...

I appreciate everyone's comments. I am wearing the clonidine patch on the lower leg. I have not noticed any big change good or bad. It was also suggessted to use benedryl spray prior to applying the patch, because I had a bad reaction to adhesive once.

Yes this is the same dr. but I don't want to switch. He and his staff are very supportive. They answer my questions, include me in all decisions and I never feel rushed. I feel they would back me and right now thats important to me.

I don't have many on my side and
that is one of the positives in my life. (someone who believes In me)

Thank you all as well for your support, but sometimes a person needs to see another person who believes in you as well.