Need advice...I've been on many meds (kadian, percet, gabapentin....) but they only seem to slightly ease /take the edge off the pain...I've had several nerve blocks but they only seem to fully last a short while, then the pain is back and slowly increase :confused...Has this ever Happen to any1 else????? Now the Dr is wanting to try a surgical implant (a pain pump or tens-unit) both have side affects..sound scary... Not sure about this.. Any options????

It took some time before I found the right combo of meds to help me with my rsd pain. I had to increase them for about a year and a half until they worked right. Now I find myself having more pain and needing to increase some again per my pm drs okay. I would see a pm dr and neurologist that knows something about rsd and have them try to work with you before you do the surgical implant. I had a dr who tried pushing that on me , but my neurologist advised against it. I am sticking with meds for now. I have too many back problems and I'm afraid of complications like infections that can occur with implants. I've already had two botched surgeries. One on my wrist which caused the rsd in the first place and one on my stomach which caused my rsd to spread to my stomach. When a dr tells me the chances of complications from surgery are rare, I tell them that the chances of getting rsd from surgery are rare, but it happened to me. I'm not willing to take anymore chances. I'm afraid it just might kill me if I do. It's just my opinion, but its how I feel. I wish you good luck in whatever you decide to do.

I had crps for two years now,went into meds combos,spinal blocks,interferential unit and finally spinal cord stimulator implanted permanently on jan 2013 with many side effects,reactions that I did not expected,got a second surgery 2014 jan again to reposition my batery from buttocks area to abdominal area,still in the healing processes I do have relief on the affected area but the disco for ,side effects make me change my mind everyday about that maybe was not the right decision but everyone else is different I personally don't take any narcotic pain killers because I used to work in medical field and I'm aware of how bad they can turn but I don't judge people who used then in my case I decided not too but reality is nothing outer will ever heal you ever,we just manage our pain,but the pain is there and always will be,just because you don't see it it doesn't mean is not there ,hope you ask your dr and try as many med combo you can tolerate because even a surgery can be undone by the damage to your tissues will be permanent so think every step and do research,is the best advise I can give anybody,I got my scs and all medical treatments without knowing 100% sure of the upcoming results!I regretted many times but still willing to try one more time!hope you do what's best for you and your family after all!they all suffer with us in those bad days!so many sometimes!keep the faith!blessings to all

Thanks so much for the helpful advice.. Surgery is prob not happening now...I think I'm gonna shoot for a Dr that might know or want to a little more about RSD...thanks again

I'm so grateful to b apart such a help group..thank u allowing me in on you experiences that way others may learn from them...

The unfortunate reality is that we can only hope for the meds to take the edge off and make things bearable. The pain will always be there.

IMO before any surgical options I'd work on finding a combination that helps manage the pain better. Bear in mind that doses and medication will need to be adjusted over time.

I have had the nerve blocks and the medications, even g he spinal stimulator. None have worked ( for me personally) My Drs gave up on me. I can't find a dr willing to research rsd to understand I am not out looking for pills because I am addicted but because I am actually in pain. There are side effects to almost everything these days. Do what makes you feel comfortable. If there is any doubt at all in you to not get the tens unit, dont! Until you are ready. I regret getting the stimulator. ( only because it does not work for me). Good luck!! Hope you find something that helps

What is the tens unit? I'm going to the Cleaveland Clinic at the end of this month for treatment and for them to decide on what to do next. I got the nerve blocks but they never lasted long. I do take pain meds but they barely take the edge off anymore. I live in St. LOUIS but my PM doc is referring me to Cleaveland to see their RSD doctor and do the PM program there.