I personally find that ice causes bad flares (REALLY bad ones) and increases my pain. While we were trying to figure out was wrong with me prior to the RSD diagnosis the doctors had me icing a lot despite the pain. The pain got worse and I personally believe that it caused the condition to progress faster than it would have otherwise.

But one thing I KNOW for a fact about RSD...it is different for all of us. We respond differently to different treatments and while there are many factors that most of us have in common...there is no such thing as a "textbook case" of RSD. We all offer up what advice we can based on our experiences...but in the end each person has to do what is best for them. Cold causes me pain, heat relieves the pain (at least a little). If cold does not cause you additional pain then you may be okay to use it...or maybe not...it's up to you if it's worth the risk. Every treatment carries risks with it...some more than others. If cold causes you pain...then I would NOT recommend using ice in your treatment...but if cold doesn't affect you then maybe it would be worth a try to see if it HELPS. We all need to use whatever tricks we can to help our pain.

I always recommend no ice to people because that is not only my own experience...but it tends to be the experience of most other people I have spoken to with RSD (but not all). So...not worth the risk of faster progression of the condition or spread in my opinion...but I would never put anyone down for thinking or experiencing otherwise. This is one of the craziest conditions I have ever heard of...so nothing really surprises me when it comes to RSD.

See the link below regarding ice and even contrast baths with RSD/CRPS. Ice is bad for RSD/CRPS, period.

From rsdhope.org:
"Ice will also cause the blood vessels to constrict more, reducing the blood flow to the extremities, increasing the pain, causing color changes, etc. but the real damage is to the nerve's myelin sheath; basically, the protective cover for the nerve."

http://www.rsdhope.org/ice-and-crps.html

I really appreciate the feedback. I have tried ice on the newest rsd sites and it seems to numb things (in a way that is a blessing). When I tried it on my worst areas, I had the same negative responses as other sufferers, so immediately removed it.

I really hate this disorder

Just my opinion...but given your negative response in other areas I would strongly recommend against the use of ice anywhere else. Short term numbing might feel okay at the time...but the long term results of use could be a disaster. Like I said before...my own experience after being told to ice my initial RSD site for months was that it made things worse and caused the condition to progress faster (and greatly lessened the likelihood of remission once I finally got the treatments I needed). Much better in my opinion to play it safe and work towards remission in those areas that aren't as bad vs taking the risk of potentially sabotaging your chances at remission through the use of ice now. Not trying to scare you...but that's how I view things especially in your situation where the ice DOES negatively affect you in the worst areas.

Wow, thanks for saying that. I didn't make the connection from your earlier comment. I will sadly banish ice. I say sadly because it was the only thing that helped to relieve some of the flames flying off my shoulder blade.

It is a sad thing. I got a really bad muscle strain in my shoulder at the end of September and unfortunately ice is one of the primary treatments...and I can't use ice so it has been a longer recovery period than I would have liked. Until you can't use ice...you don't realize how much it is used for. Trying to get the pain under control is such a long, slow process sometimes...especially when you are limited in what you can try. Avoid the ice and avoid immobilization...everything beyond that is going to be trial and error...and a slow process of figuring out how much to push yourself without pushing too far. Such a balancing act...I get so frustrated by it sometimes that I just want to scream...but that's my life now. I hope you find something soon that can help you with the pain. Hugs.