Stress is absolutely a trigger for RSD pain so you can trust that info. Controlling stess is easier said than done but there are many ways to try and avoid or lessen stressful situations so you want to do that as much as possible.

You say that the doctor says SCS is your only option. Have you tried tDCS or Ketamine treatments?

Ketamine has a much higher success rate than an SCS, many patients have even gone into remission with Ketamine (this will NOT happen with SCS since that just helps to cover up the pain...if it works). Ketamine is expensive and it also has risks which should be evaluated prior to going ahead with treatment...but it certainly has a better track record than SCS.

tDCS is something that I have had wonderful success with, as has CRPSjames who posted above (who has had an amazing recovery from his failed SCS with treatment with tDCS). It is not invasive and so does not carry with it the risk of spread like SCS or Ketamine do. tDCS also aims at treating the CAUSE of RSD and not just covering up symptoms.

I do not know what the right choice is for you...only you can decide what treatment you want to do. Just make sure that you educate yourself ahead of time about each treatment option, the benefits and risks of each, and decide what the best fit is for you. Do NOT make a decision out of desperation and do NOT make a decision just because you feel like you have no choice. You always have a choice even if it is not a good one. Trust me...if you make a decision because you feel forced into it either by the doctor or because you are desperate, you will be very unhappy if there are any negative responses to it that you have to live with. Research, research, research until you feel you are comfortable with the risks of whatever treatment you choose to go with (or with the risks of going with NO treatment).

This is not easy and everyone needs to make their own decisions about treatments. I hope that whatever you choose to do that you get some relief soon.