Not sure yet how to navigate all of this. Hopefully, this message will reach others diagnosed with or in other ways touched by CRPS. I have been reading sticky threads on things that help and successes and thank all of you that have posted. In addition to great ideas it gave me the courage to try becoming a member of your community. I have found a sense of understanding and knowing here that I cannot find with others not dealing with this crazy illness.

I had a relatively minor injury in November 2014 that developed into CRPS. I am obviously in the early stages of the illness and the grief process that naturally comes with any life altering diagnosis. I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my life as I knew it is over. I am searching (sometimes desperately) for a new "normal." I cannot find a doctor that seems actually interested in the illness and how to treat it. I hear this word remission, but don't have a doctor with any suggestions other that nerve blocks that didn't work or a spinal cord stim. that I'm not ready to consider. Feeling a bit lost. I know from the research there are other things, but cannot find anyone that offers them.

Anyway, hello to all and I hope to learn and possibly to contribute to this community.

Hi Mama Mac,

Welcome! You will find this a good place for sharing and support. We all know how hard it is adjusting to life with this awful beast. There are reasons for hope. You are still under a year of fighting this and there are many treatment options to try. 80% of people improve over time according to Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Michael Stanton-Hicks. Keep active, movement and gentle exercise and normal use of the limb is important. It can be hard to find balance because you want to avoid causing flare but just keep at it and don't let go. My ongoing recovery felt like it was going nowhere for a long time but I am much better than I was a year ago. It has taken relentless dedication to improving one tiny bit at a time. I routinely walk a mile now and often more after 9 months total on crutches.

There are caring and knowledgable doctors out there. It can take some doctor shopping to find them. I saw two PM who offered blocks I Didn't want and sort shrugged their shoulders at me. After many months I finally went to see a third that I am happy with. I am receiving low dose ketamine infusions and these are helping my particular case.

In Texas you will find ketamine infusions in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio and that's just off the top of my head. Calmare is available in Dallas. There are neridronate trials in several Texas cities. You have options. My PM is in Austin but I had initial good luck finding other docs at tertiary referral centers with an educational slant like UTSW in Dallas and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Keep searching, you will find someone who will care for you.

There are many things to try. Physical therapy, acupuncture, supplements, biofeedback, etc. And of course many meds and med cocktails or LDN.

Take care of your body and spirit. Be kind to yourself. It is a huge adjustment that is filled with grief. If you are feeling stuck and having a hard time coping consider a therapist familiar with chronic pain and illness. I was in a dark place indeed and found therapy to be a huge, huge help in learning how to cope with the pain and loss. I really believe that professional care gave my life back to me. I was buried in all that despair. Much better now and staying that way!

Come and see us and let us know how you are doing.
Sending hugs and healing love,

hi mama. sorry you have rsd but you found a great place here for support. everyone is so kind and caring here. i have had rsd since 2011 and am still grieving for my past life. i was lucky to find a good pm dr soon after i was diagnosed with rsd. he tried nb which helped just a little and suggested a scs but i am not ready to consider that. maybe as a last resort though. i have also a neurologist who gave me prednisone short term that brought down swelling in my hand and wrist but the pain continues to get worse every year and my immune system is severely weakened from rsd. my pm dr prescribes gabapentin and pain killers to manage my pain. i also try to do light stretches that pt prescribed for me. if i were you i would search for a pm dr and neurologist that know what rsd is and how to treat it and start from there. there are good drs out there and more people are starting to know what rsd is now. slowly but surely awareness of rsd is becoming more common. just don't give up and take things a day at a time and try not to stress because that increases pain. i know it's hard but once you find the right dr you will find the treatment right for you and will be able to manage you chronic pain better. seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist for meds to help manage depression and anxiety that rsd can cause helps too. and having a support system from others who understand rsd helps immensly. the people in this forum are the best support group i have ever had. they help me get through all my days with rsd. sending gentle hugs your way.