Hi, I have RSD on the right side of my neck, my shoulder, and my arm. Does anyone have any suggestions for helping to alleviate the pain besides the medication that I already take? I know heat pads, but anything else? It is a harder area to treat because I have to wear a top and bra. I have switched to strapless bras, but any other suggestions? Thanks.

Just wondering if you might have thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)?
Many symptoms can overlap w/RSD and some have both conditions.

If you haven't heard of it here is the link to our TOS forum-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

Hi, I was checked for that and the doctor said no.

Have you tried a tens unit? You can wear this all the time.

I have tried the tens unit.

how about blocks or tdsc?

I have RSD in my neck, upper body (front and back), both arms, and both hands. With my neck...the biggest things for me when the pain is really bad are lidoderm patches (on my neck or sometimes under my bra straps depending on whether my neck or back or shoulders are worse), heating patches OVER the lidoderm patches, and a scarf to protect against air movements, cold, etc (which for me send my pain into overdrive). I take one or 2 hot baths a day with epsom salts and that seems to help. I also went through desensitization therapy last year for my back and neck and this helped tremendously. It was awful to go through but so worth it...helped to normalize the sensations in those areas. I'm still sensitive and have days where I can't stand anything touching me there but for the most part I am back to normal clothes and bras (albeit looser clothes than i used to wear before). tDCS has helped a lot with the sensitivity in my hands and arms but it hasn't yet helped with my neck, back, front, or shoulders.

Just wanted to mention using heat with Lidoderm patches can be dangerous. It disperses more Lidocaine faster and can be bad for your liver I think.

I have rsd in right arm. My shoulder/neck was awful for months. Took an awesome pt lady massaging it every day for a couple weeks. (yes it was painful but everyday got better) i had been babying my hand too much, and had knots all in upper arm and shoulder. Might be worth a shot.

Now i make sure i do shoulder neck exercises everyday, if not every other day. I still have some pain in my shoulder and neck but its not as bad as it used to be.