[Russell]

The question that I have is this.
The med cocktail I take does a very good job except during periods of weather triggers. Such as humidity, rain, cold, hot breezes, physical exertion, ect.
What do some of you take at times of triggers to help out with the higher than usual pain?

[Phaedra]

That is a good question. I don't have an answer. I was hoping more people would have responded.
When I have a flare up I just double up on some of my meds (only the ones I am allowed to double). I know that's not much help, sorry.

[Jimking]

Look into de-humidifiers and Hepa Filter-air purifier.

[Russell]

Today I was doing my best to pull weeds and every time I stood up, or tried to, my legs started trembling and felt like being shocked then I blacked out and collapsed.
These are the triggers I'm talking about.
When I fell I hit my left shoulder (my CRPS started in my left arm) and the pain in my left arm/hand is high on the scale. I wish I had some way of relief.
Time for my six o'clock meds. Maybe that'll help...

[Phaedra]

I hope you are feeling better soon. Other than being in more pain did you cause any new damage? I know some days I think I can do some of the things I used to do, but when I try it only takes about 15 minutes to realize it aint so. Any way hope you feel better soon.

[Russell]

No real damage. Just a sprained finger and my pride.
I am really upset that I have such a hard time doing things I used to find easy and enjoyed.
Thanks for listening to my rant...

[Adalaide]

I have found nothing I can take day to day that I don't have a severe reaction to that is so bad that I have had to stop taking it. The only thing I'm on now is tramadol which I take some days and some days I don't. I find it works really well at knocking out the pain and as long as I only take one it doesn't make me weird but if I take two I get loopy as crap. I only take two if I'm in "throw myself off a cliff" pain. I know I'm going to spend my life in pain so a fair number of days I don't take any because I can live with some pain, but when I have flares I may find myself taking it four times a day for a week straight, then not at all for a week. If I'm going to be in the car for more than 10 minutes I take it before I go because it's the difference between coping and sitting in the passenger seat trying to daydream, trying not to distract my husband from moaning in pain. So yeah, I highly recommend tramadol if you can get it and see if it works for you.

I also use natural methods of pain control. I use essential oils. (frankincense and ylang-ylang for me, but you can see what you want to try for you if you're into the hippie thing) I use heating pads, often and frequently. And (warning this is not PG!) I also use sex and orgasm. It's a great natural pain reliever that is instant and lasting. It has the added benefit of also being fun and free.

[birchlake]

Well, a vacation to better climate is the best solution! But in lieu of that, I use tramadol for breakout pain.

I used to lean on percocet, but I didn't like the road I was heading to with that, so I weaned myself off of that (not fun).

I have an very multi-disciplinary approach to my CRPS. Podiatrist (as my CRPS is in my foot), GP (for basic things like sleep) Chiropractic (for compensatory joint pain because of my altered gait, mainly in the hip), Pain Management (self explanatory) Massage Therapist (on occasion) Physical Therapist (when necessary; he trains me to do my daily routine) Meditation (self taught) Yoga (self taught) and a very carefully researched meds cocktail. And I'm open to anything else including the kitchen sink. Throw anything at this thing. See what sticks.

The daily meditation is very helpful. Meditation can help manage how we process our pain. It doesn't reduce the pain, but it helps in how we process and handle it. Lots of evidence to back this up; do some research and you'll find lots of light reading.

We need a lot of "tools in the toolbox" to fight this monster. Be open to complementary therapies; Western medicine in and by itself is not the best solution for CRPS or any chronic pain condition.. Complementary therapies can help!

[catra121]

I don't have meds for my flare up pain...but I do have a specific protocol of treatment that I follow for bad flare ups. These are the steps:

1. Hot bath with Epsom salts.

2. Ultrasound heat therapy on the worst areas.

3. tDCS treatment

4. TENS unit treatment on worst areas (if I can surround the area with electrodes...if I can't I skip this step).

5. Heating Pad/Patches

6. Rest for the rest of the day (if more than a day of flare up pain then I add in physical therapy exercises throughout the day).

The last few years...this protocol gets me back to my normal pain levels usually after a day or two. I repeat as much as needed...sometimes 2-3 times per day depending on pain levels.

[Russell]

Oooooo!
I think I'll try the hot bath. Right now that sounds good...