well, yeah, body aches....mornings are ususally bad, and I think I agree with the person who said that part of it can be that we get so tightened up trying to protect from the pain and tighten against the pain that we end up all stiff. I know I kind of do, and that when I work on relaxing (breathing helps, too) and moving, and getting things in motion (massage also helps but oh boy that hurts so I kinda' look at it like bitter medicine...something you sometimes gotta take but sure as heck ain't happy about...), then it helps. Usually mid morning is my best time of day, then the pain starts to get worse again toward the evening, awfulest in the early night, and actualy a little very late at night (read: early morning) which is when I finally manage to get some sleep.
I don't know if the body pains are part of RSD (it does't really come with too much hypersensitivity to touch or some such, but aches and flu-like, and pains and stiffness and stuff), but they sure seem to be connected in some way. Maybe also becasue of how the nerve endings become sensitized to the pain and all that.
Hope you find something that helps, Annie

Hey there !
I know exactly how you feel. I have allot of aches and pains that are not in the area of my RSD. I wonder sometimes if it is all related... One thing I can tell you is that my husband is also on Methadone and Oxy for his back injury pain and one thing methadone and other pain meds are notorious for doing is causing swelling of the extremeties hand,feet etC. Notice if you have pitting edema in your legs (sit down and push your finger into your lower leg near your ankle hold it for 5 sec and let go if your imprint sticks you have edema. Methadone can cause this type of swelling which can make you ache and feel the way you do. Ask your Doctor about this and if you have edema I would let your doc know right aay as it could be something he wants to address asap. I hope this helps my friend....

Sincerely,
Kimberly

I have the aches too. I think some may be cause I am so cautious of my body though most of my issue is in my inner ankle/foot/calf but also at one time had a back issue and still flares. Anyhow I think that I protect my leg so much that I tend to not have range of motion with other parts either which cause stiffness. I also feel when one body part even hurts so bad it can make you ache all over. I have heard non chronic pain people comment on that even. A couple docs suggested epsom salt baths which I hate but some find it helpful

I'm an occupational therapist who has been involved with the care and mangement of RSD. I would advises you to go to a neurologist that knows and treat RSD. You might benefit from other form of care rather than just taking medications which are not addressing all the issues common to RSD. Have you ever had a blocK? RSD symptoms tend to travel to other body parts, you are not experiencing something that is uncommon to RSD, but you need to take charge and research other possibilities as well as the right care provider. I can send you some information just let me know. My brother was electrocuted 1992 and developed RSD and he is doing better. If I can be of any help, I'm here
regards, and I hope you find the right path.
R.Rivera

Since I posted - I have been able to get into the pain management doc. Thanks to everyone for their posts - it made me feel like Im not alone with all these aches & pains. I came down with RSD in my knee after my total knee replacement after Christmas last year. I have had 6 lumbar blocks which helped about 6-8 hours after each one - enough time to have a pt appt and get the leg moving a little. But I have had to stop these for awhile due to finances since I can't work or drive. Ive also had to limit the outside Pt appts as well - but doing them at home on my own still. Anyway - I was able to get into the doc. He has now put me on Lyrica and Cymbalta besides the Methadone and Oxycodone. The pain management doc thought maybe it was inflamation resulting indirectly from the RSD. I still have the severe stiffness and really bad "toothache" pain (as I call it) in my hands and feet every am and evening. Now with the fall/winter rain season here - I know it doesn't help my aching also. I have now also seen my original ortho doc - who is now talking about wanting to go back in and open my knee up to get the scar tissue out and maybe help the mobility of my knee. He stated he would do this with consulting my pain management doc - to make sure they would have the pain of the RSD under control during this. But I am not sure at this point - I don't want to have more pain - I want my leg to move - but cannot stand more pain at this point. So life goes on. I really appreciate everyone for their responses on this board - it makes me feel like I'm not going insane with this - it is terribly real and something i have to come to accept (for now anyway). Thanks - and take care everyone!

Lindkaye,
I have been telling my pain doc for months my pain in other places is getting worse. I tore my knee up when I broke my leg in three places (during the rcovery of the broken leg I had bone infection) my orthopedic said she could not replace the knee as I tore my ACL and my miniscus is shredded. I need some exercise but the Osteoarthritis is getting worse in my knee. She warned me that I was going to be in terrible pain and she sent me to the pain center for a pain pump. They found the RSD so they have been focusing on the RSD all the while my knee is screaming! Now I have so much going on that the plan of having the stimulater for the RSD is accomplised but now I have so much pain all over that they have to re-evaluate. So hang in and keep expressing your pain issues and I will be hopeful for you to find some answers. It does seem like there is no end so I have to take it day by day and keep talking to others who have this monster.
Wish you a little bit of pain relief.
tjbird

Hello,
I used to be on methadone and even though I was on a fluid pill I would get times of severe swelling. I started falling asleep while I was doing things like walking. So I had them take me off of it and they put me on morphine, and I lost 10lbs of fluid right away however I think it was better with the pain that I have all over unless I have just been getting worse really fast, I don't miss the edema but I miss having pain relief.
tjbird

I do get very stiff and have a deep ache in the area and near by. I find this true if I am in a position too long. So I try to get up if sitting too long and same with laying. It is hard sometimes to get moving when the pain is so high but for me it is a must. I am not saying this for you but my experience. I wonder if you should look into a different form of treatment other then meds? Have you been tested for other conditions? I also have PN but through the process was tested for fibromyalgia,auto immune etc. Hang in there