Spike, if someone had told me last year while training at the gym for a fitness challenge that I was going to tear/displace 100% of my meniscus out of its discoid capsule, and tear my ACL MCL and PCL I would've laughed in their face! But alas, it did happen, and the CRPS that was once confined to my right arm, hand, and shoulder spread like wild fireinto my entire left leg within 48 hours of knee surgery. My quality-of-life did drastically change after surgery last year, and of course it threw me out of remission. However, I am not one to give up that easily even with the monster that invades my body, so I kept training five days a week on crutches with my trainer doing core and upper body workouts, during the time I was waiting to see ortho, and about four weeks postop. I do believe my diet is what keeps me healthy, as it's pretty clean after seeing a nutritionist a few years ago.

I follow a blend of the 4F's diet, atkins, and have recently Inc. more Paleo recipes into my meals (I lost 160 lbs after my CRPS DX by following a higher protein diet which ultimately probably contributed to my kidney stones even though my stones pre-date The diet and diagnosis ). Unfortunately due to kidney issues, chronic kidney stones, and two recent hospitalizations and surgeries I'm forced to modify my diet, and Decrease my protein and increase my carbs. This is proving to be very difficult for me as I have already gained 10 pounds since last month (a combo of being in the hospital and eating their terrible food/not being able to hit the gym. For me staying active has played an important role in managing my pain, the atrophy and eventual contracture of my right arm (which thankfully is now back to atrophy) in the rehabilitation of my left leg/range of Motion, and the slow spread of CRPS to my left neck and arm. I am able to do light to moderate weight lifting in modified positions, yoga, stretching, physical therapy, and very low impact cardio. Keeping my muscles working and strong has been a huge benefit to my body and to controlling my outrageous pain levels. Due to herniated disc's and my cervical and lumbar spine I am no longer able to participate and active sports or run long distance, so the little exercise I can still do is my refuge.

I enjoyed reading the other responses as well, it's been three years since I've logged in here, I have spent the last three years making 14 hour round-trip drives home to help my mother care for my dying father, who passed away a year ago in September. The last year has been particularly rough physically, emotionally, and my health hasn't been great. i've been a long time lurker and read the boards often trying to glean as much information as I can to help myself and others. I hope to become more active poster with what little time I have to spare.

Wow! You, my friend, are a warrior. Your family and you are in my prayers, as you strive for the benefit of your dying father. God's peace!

-Spike-

Hi Spike. I have been dealing with CRPS for over a decade, I have learned a tremendous amount of coping skills in this time. I "did" the whole Lyrica thing as well and determined it wasn't worth the side effects--major weight gain, blurry vision, not being able to function, I could go on and on. Lyrica only helped as well with a small portion of my pain. To stay healthym I absolutely have to exercise, outside!, daily with my doggie if possible. That helps tremendously to create natural endorphins (and the sunlight helps). Also, I take a lot of supplements that help; magnesium, multi vitamin, b complex, fish oil, ester-c, coq10, all very helpful. Eating a ton of veggies (mostly) and avoiding processed and packaged foods helps a lot. It's very hard for me as I have RSD in my hands, but I do my best and it pays off exponentially. Also, maintaining healthy relationships and ridding yourself of the negative ones is very helpful as you can decrease your stress levels. Take care.