uuuuuh....I still hurt and they put lidocaine patch on as well as a shot of morphine.........not screaming but still hurting badly......God, please help me.....

Any chance you can get more patches? Also that shot of mophine is using only a 4 - 6 hour relief. Do go back to the ER if you have to. So sorry your pain is bad.
I got a new insurance carrier yesterday. We will see if this new company does any better for my pain needs. I get so sick of all the red tape.
Take care Emily, and I hope you go get that relief. ginnie

Thanks Ginnie,
somehow I'm muddling through the day... that put 1 patch on at the er but It didn't seem to help as much. I glad to hear you got a new insur carrier I hope it works better for you too. I know how annoying it can be to be forced to wait for approval before you get something you truly need. AS far as relief...well a slight bit better than yesterday but still not so good unfortunately.....thanks for caring : )

Yep I do care. If we experience pain ourselves, we sure can empathize with others in pain. It isn't any fun. Hope you get some lasting relief. I believe you mentioned you get to see your doctor on tues? Nobody should be forced to ER. Doesn't your doc. have someone to direct his patients to if he should be away? Do you have insurance for the patches? I am stuck with humanna until the 1st. then I do go a new company who supposedly does cover all but one of my meds. I hope for the best too. Happy holidays, and stay strong. ginnie

...well no i actually don't have insurance. I can't afford it, well at least a plan that would be worth anything. And Its my first visit to the "new" doctor, he's one of the leading doctors treating CRPS in Spokane. And Providence Health Services is paying for my care because I was injured by one of their employees in the E.R 10/25/12, getting things approved through their claims department is WORSE the normal insurance. Happy holiday's to you too Ginnie
And I am trying to stay strong, but I don't know why the pain is just getting stronger.....I have an MRI tonight...maybe that will show "us" something......

I sure know about the no insurance issue. Until I became disabled I had none either. I was denied because of pre-existing conditions. That Sc______d me from getting any help until I fell apart. I worked until I could not move my head at all, knowing full well I was in trouble. This set me up for failure financially. I really hope you get some coverage one way or the other. Hope sincerely, that you receive all the help you can to get this pain of yours undercontrol. I will pray to that end. ginnie

Lidocaine cream is WAY less expensive than the patches. It's stronger and works faster, but wears off faster IMO.

I also find Lidoderm patches work best if used infrequently. After a few weeks in the same spot they stop be as effective for me in areas that I've had RSD for years. I use them for special occasions like traveling more than 15 miles from home, etc. The BEST application is to use them on new areas of flare.

A generic version of Lidoderm should be available in the next few years. http://www.drugs.com/availability/generic-lidoderm.html

If you cover the lidocaine cream/ointment with Saran wrap, you
may find it penetrates better.

Just don't do this 24hrs a day... do it like the patches...12 hrs on and 12 hrs off. Lidocaine "can" affect the heart.

I would like to SINCERELY thank you ALL. I know I'm a "newbie" and a lot of you have been dealing with this for years. But the moral support as well as the information is soooo appreciated! I have been pretty kinda scared of all this, it feels very daunting! As well as hard for others to understand. A lot of people don't understand when they can't SEE why the pain is there. I haven't had the extreme swelling, or severe discoloration. Just a little swelling, slight mottled color, very cold temps, sweaty/clammy feeling. So truly from the bottom of my heart thank you! It's making a huge difference to have people who understand, who know, and who can offer a little advice and support!

I see my specialist tomorrow, so maybe I can get a little help and direction to truly start the healing process!

I use a generic 2.5% cream by Fougera that my pharmacy charges $12 for. I found a 2% version online for as low as $3.50 a bottle with a quick search. You can't bath in this stuff, and there are restrictions with the patches as well.
There's also a 5% version, so discuss it with your doc and pharmacist.

I haven't tried low dose naltrexone, but it's something worth researching, as well.