Hi All,

I hope everyone is trying to enjoy the summer. As all of us RSDer's know humidity is one of the worse weather conditions to cope with, at least for me.

Anyway I have had RSD for about 4 years or so being treated with the normal realm of meds,blocks, I have tried Ketamine,low dose 5 day, with success. But the doctors always think you are depressed so they push the anti-depressents,one because it is suppose to help with nerve pain and two if you have RSD you are automatically depressed. Well at my last Physchiatrist appt. again he wanted me to try a different anti-depressent we talked and talked and I explained it is not depression it's frustration and I went on and explained that my "MOOD" goes nuts because I can not complete some of the simplest of task due to this disease. So together we went through my whole file, 4 years worth, and what he and I came up with is a slight bit of Manic behaivor which is treated differently. Believe me I never talk of any diagnosis on any fourn because I don't want to get anyones hopes up and I am not a Doctor but this medication has changed not my RSD but the way I deal, respond to the pain, and just generally keep it together as best you can.

The medication is "Depakote" and it'is a mood stablizer and has worked wonders for me. As I said above it does not help with the pain but really helps to feel more normal and be able to handle just the daily issues of living with RSD a whole lot better. My problem before the Depakote was that I would try and run my life normal my 12noon I was frustrated, sad, usually in tears just because I couldn't run the vacuum, or do a load of laundry etc, really silly to get so upset over. But with the Depakote I just shake it off and say it will get done when it gets done and believe it or not now after being on the medication for about 2 and 1/2 months everything is different. I am not yelling at my 2 teenagers to do what I can't complete, yet they have there own jobs to do around the house and do comply, I was putting to much pressure on them and my husband also.

Please everyone it might not be an answer for all but it really has changed the way I cope and has made a bad diseasae a little easier to cope with.

Just some info. on the medication I am taking 1000 mgs, 2- 500 mgs tabs, at bedtime. They wanted me to get up to 1500 mgs a day but it made me very tired during the day. This is a time released type medication.

I hope this helps someone.

Ann

I use depakote as well. It seems to have a slight analgesic effect but my experience is similar to yours; it just makes things easier. It helps not fighting this so hard and it makes it a lot easier to cope which means I'll usually get more done. I usually take 250 mg twice per day but find I can short the evening dose a little bit when I feel better. It'll be 167.5 mg. I can't skip a dose because everything will hit me like a bomb after about three hours.

Thank you both Ann and Imahotep, for so well put by the antidepresents. It's so very true. I have been on Effexor XR 75mg. for years now(Even before I got RSD) and what you both said made a lot of sense! There are times when I forget to take my Effexor and I am a mean, crabby nut!! LOL Ann, what you said about taking your antidepressent makes you feel "normal" is so right on! And it does indeed help with the daily issues of living with RSD a whole lot better. So, again, Ann thank you for this. Made me think about even skipping one pill will make me miserable and not function too well. And also, my doc. put me on a new dose of the Amitriptylin, 25 Mg. (I have to take 1 pill at bedtime) and this is helping some with the pain, as well with my moods a little too. And Imahotep, Your very right in saying, "It just makes things easier! Also ya mentioned about making it easier to cope, which is sooooooooo very, very true! Now, I am making a note, putting it on my bathroom mirror(I brush my teeth when I first get up) So, I'll see this note and remember to take it! So, a huge thank you, too Iamahotep! ~Love, Desi

I hope it was informative and can help others. We need to stick together and this is one of the most positive moves outside of doing the ketamine that has helped me. I am actually going on vacation and looking forward to it last year I think I left the hotel 2x's.

Enjoy your summer..

Ann