[Coffeebean]

I don't know what to think. I have been trying to find a good primary doctor in my area since we moved three years ago so I don't have a long history with any one doctor. So today for the second time I went to see an Internist who lives fairly close to my house. She said she wants me on Lyrica for the RSD because this will stop the spread of the disease. I told her that my pain level is really good right now and that I get hives on Lyrica but she insists I still take it. She wants me to take Zyrtec and Zantac to stop the hives but to get on a daily dose of Lyrica.

I asked her again why Lyrica and she said it will prevent the RSD from eating away at my bones and would probably help with the reddness and swelling. The RSD I have has spread from my elbow to my hand and up to my shoulder over the past 15 months. I also asked this doctor what she thought what causes RSD and she said she did not know but she does know that you have to be on an anti-seizure med to hault the spread. I got the same feeling from a hand specialist I saw earlier this month at the Cleveland Clinic.

I am very confused. I thought Neurotin, Lyrica and the other anti-seizure meds were used to control pain. Now I am hearing they are used to prevent RSD from spreading. I sure could use some input to hear what others have been told or read.

Thanks so much.