I am so sorry I am so delayed in welcoming you to the forum. I, too, was just diagnosed with RSD about 5 weeks ago after ankle surgery. I am lucky (in a way) to have been diagnosed just a week after my symptoms began (they were so clearly obvious) and started treatment as soon as possible. I am currently undergoing a series of sympathatic nerve blocks in my spine. For me, they seem to be doing SOMETHING.....not a cure, but the allodynia is better, as is the swelling in response to standing (I used to not be able to stand but for a few moments).

The biggest hurdle is getting your limb in use again......taking whatever pain meds you need to in order to successfully do your PT. NOT pushing yourself to the point of pain, which will only set you back, but just to that point to regain flexibility. Like I said, the swelling was so profuse in my ankle that I could not successfully move it. The blocks seem to have helped that. My PT did the "milking" massage on me as well.....told me to repeat several times a day. Epsom Salt soaks are very soothing and there is clinical research that shows that it helps down to the cellular level with the swelling.

I am VERY assertive with my doctor and the nurses about proper pain management during the IV and injection. I make no bones about telling them they need to give me more meds so I don't feel it, or that they need to acquire proper numbing meds for my IV. I take every chance I get to educate EVERYONE about RSD.....so many, even in the medical profession, have never heard of it. I am SO sorry for your bad experience. I, too, had one bad experience at a different hospital than usual (I have a block scheduled there tomorrow morning). I swear, I will NOT let them put an IV in me and go through with this block without numbing meds.......PERIOD. They poked me 3 times with the IV needle before they got it in just seconds before they took me into the room to be injected. I was awake and aware and freaked out the whole time. My other four blocks were lovely......no problems at all (except my allergic reaction.....they give me benadryl in the IV).

Again, SO many people here on this forum are so sweet and knowlegable about this disease. Many people have tried many different approaches. You have got to decide what works best for you through trial and error. I have heard that an aggressive, multidiciplinary action is the best course (i.e. meds, blocks, therapy, etc....).

Please keep us posted on how you're doing, and write with ANY questions you may have. I actually trust the people that LIVE with this disease more than I do the docs that may read a medical article every so often about it. Just don't be shy about getting several opinions or saying "no" if you feel uncomfortable. It is OUR body that is affected......NOT theirs.

BTW.....my RSD has already spread to my other foot (just 5 weeks into it and WITH injections). I encourage you to act quickly and take very good care of yourself. Read, read, read as much as you can......dig into the internet and focus on articles printed in this decade especially.

Best wishes for a pain managed evening to all!!!