Hi Vivid, I'm sorry you're suffering so much and just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and hope that you'll feel better soon. My pm dr was pushing for a SCS for over a year but my neurologist and gp they thought it could possibly cause an infection and a chance of spread of my rsd. After weighing the pros and cons I decided not to do it. But it's definitely a personal decision. I know some people who said it helped them and others who said it didn't. I was also told that after two years of having rsd the chances of it helping were minimal anyway. I have had rsd for almost three years now so it's something I will never do. I was also warned from some of my drs that some drs push for the SCS because it's a very expensive procedure. It's something they wanted me to beware of. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you find something that helps you to feel better soon. Take care.

Maybe I should see a neurologist in addition to the pain doctor to help me with these decisions. It looks like the approval for payment did not happen in time, so I think the test appointment will be pushed back.

I see a lot of bad rap about the actual surgical implant, but not much about the test. Have any of you done the SCS test? Tell me about your experience with that, because that is what is next on the menu for me.

This has to be one of the worst possible things that can happen to a person... I have so much pain in my upper thigh and back now, it has definitely spread and it is just too much to handle sometimes... it's like your pain tolerance is forced to go up through days and days of nerve pain beatings, but at the same time, the affected areas become more and more sensitive, touching one area causes a chain reaction in the whole string... not fun.

If I were you, I would get a second opinion from a neurologist. They are more educated on nervous system issues like rsd than pain management drs. PM drs are actually drs of anesthesiology. It can't hurt to get a second and maybe third opinion.
I never got the SCS trial even because my neurologist and gp were so against it. My pm dr pushed for it for about a year but I said no and finally started seeing another pm dr who pushes exercise and gives me meds to help me with my rsd pain. He is more conservative and tries to even keep pain meds to a minimum. I like him much more than the other dr.
Some people have liked the SCS but it wasn't for me. Everyone's different. You have to make your own decision, and whatever you decide, I hope you feel better soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you. From your friend, Renee.