Summertime,

You are not alone.. Just think of us as your friends or forum family. I am suffering too but had the opposite happen, mine
spread from my foot to my groin. I am in unbelievable pain..I am going to call my Pain Management doctor today to see what else they can do..

Have you tried physical therapy? I am going to a very gentle therapist and she is using a special technique called Lymphatic massage..or something like that.. To keep the fluids flowing in the lymph system.. It is easing my swelling.. She also put a long sock on me that is helping to circulate the fluids.. It hurts but I can see it is doing some good, so I am hanging on..

All I can say is try all that you can until you find some relief..

We care and we will listen..

Pauliana

Hello Somertime

I am sorry to hear, that your foot hurting you so bad, OUCH, I wish there was something that could be done,

the bottom of my feet have been on fire, for the last week, after I had a bad flair up, I can understand the pain you are going though,
nights are the worse, you can even see that there is something wrong, were I have my burning pain in them, they are very red, but cold UGG
hate the burning pain,

I hope you get a brake in your pain soon

Peace
Kelly

Keep looking for the right combination of drugs.

I hope tomorrow is a much better day for you.

All I can do is tell you what helps me and that seems to be as much exercise as I can tolerate (very little), ghinkho biloba, antioxidents, good diet, and (of course) the medications. (and the tens once in a while)

My primary problem never was pain. The pain is ugly even in small quantities but mine doesn't get severe too often. It doesn't respond well to any pain killers and even morphine just takes a little of the edge off. It has been responding to ultram a little bit recently and it's great to have something that will at least help.

Warm water helps me a lot.

Ice will stop the screaming pain but then it always comes back nearly as bad.

Find ways to distract your mind from it. I know this sounds stupid but it actually works. It will limit your ability to concentrate, I believe, but it may be the biggest single thing in controlling the pain.

Pay attention to warnings. These can be exceedingly subtle but you might just get a warning that something is exascerbating the condition. This can be in the diet or just about anywhere.

You have to fight this monster but don't fight your foot.

Summertime,

I'm also sorry that you are suffering more now then you were before. I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better, but there isn't. Just know that I'm here for you. I've tried almost everything including 2 scs, and now I'm considering a pain pump. Don't know if I will. Just know that there are things out there to look into. some may work, and some may not. But, no matter what, we are always here for you, good days and bad days.

very gentle hugs.
mary

Pain meds just didn't work for me. Next month starts my 8th year with this. Started in one foot, now have it in both feet, one calf, one arm and hand, both shoulders, half my back, my neck, half my face.

I have managed to stay working. I am not functioning at full speed ahead, or at a normal person's level - but I think I am doing pretty well, considering.

Topiramate (topamax) helps the pain more than pain meds. Baclofen helps the muscle spasms and sleep. Norvasc, for high blood pressure, really helps the coldness and the swelling and redness. That is pretty much all I take day to day. Sometimes my headache, which I have constantly 24/7 really get bad and I will take tramadol, or if I am not driving, two vicoden.

Hot showers help a bit. Massage therapy helps a LOT, but I cannot afford it 3 x a week like I really need to go. My insurance does not cover it.

What really helped me the most was Shinzen Young's book Break Through Pain. Best $20 bucks or so that I ever spent. Taught me to deal with it. I learned how to - how can I put it - set the pain aside.

I have read your posts before. I hear your suffering. I think I have posted before that you should get this book and try it. I was changed just by reading the book. He explains that there is a saying "Pain and Suffering" but that monks taught him that meditation and the mind can separate the two so that you CAN have pain but not suffer. You need to learn to not be afraid of the pain. Once you can let go of the fear - it really does get better. The pain level may stay the same, but you can cope with it better.

I have an iPhone. It has an iPod in it. I keep relaxing nature sounds in it, as well as Shinzen's CD meditations, and some of my favorite CD's like Carlos Nakai. When I am in severe pain at work, I will go into the restroom, into a stall, and get lost in meditation for 20 minutes. I am NOT good at meditation at all. My mind wanders. But, I am good enough that it helps me!

If you get the book, and have any questions, fmichael here can help you. He helped me. He has been to Young's seminars and really understands the process.

I guess after all this time, I have accepted it. That does not mean that I have given up trying to find something that will help me... I have not. But, I am going to make the best of what I have. If this is the hand I am dealt, I WILL deal with it.

Remember - you can have pain without suffering. Give it a try, you might be surprised.

Gentle hugs to you.....
Jules

Hi

Let me start by thanking everyone, you are all wonderful to reach out to me and one another.
My injury is a work related so they are taking their time in treatment. I have tried PT as well as Topamax (which increased my kidney stone problems...OUCH!!!)

I see my doctor in a few more days and will discuss the latest pain with the doctors.
I do light touching, massaging, etc..It's just horrible.

Thanks again.

you aren't alone...hang in there, I know the days are long and feels like theres no end in sight. We are here...understanding and apologies are not needed, if it helps you feel better, then peachy...but we get it!

About the massage --- for the first year, maybe longer... I cried during my treatment - sometimes yelling out it hurt so,so bad. In fact, I often started crying before I was even in the treatment room. My body knew what was coming. I still cannot say it is pleasurable, even 5 years later - I hurt worse that entire day - but a couple days later, I am better. My therapist was careful not to have anyone else the office when I was there - she didn't want to scare them!!! I really don't know how she had the courage to work on me. I have known her as a friend of a friend for 20 years - and I trusted her - so I stuck with it.

I really believe that this massage therapy is why I have been one of the lucky few that does not have the skin sensitivity. I have a **little** bit.... I used to be able to wear heavy wool socks, which I cannot do now... but other than that, I am pretty good.

I started the massage therapy a few days after my first injury that caused the RSD, and again, when I injured my shoulder that caused it to move there. So I have been doing the massage pretty much from day one on all new areas.

Now I go for maintenance - every 3 weeks in the winter, because it's difficult weather and driving where I live - and every 2 weeks the rest of the year.

So - hang in there with it. I does get better -- but you may never get to the point of having a "relaxing" massage again.

I am sorry the Topamax didn't work for you.

Hoping you find some peace with this. Try reading Shinzen's book. It can't hurt.