TENS unit - helps break up my spasms and distract me from the pain. Also works great for crowd control and to keep people from bumping into you in crowded places! People tend to steer clear when they see tons of wires hanging off of you.

Lidoderm patches

Biofreeze spray and gel

A paraffin wax bath. I bought the Homedicas one from Amazon.com and absolutely love it. Helps relieve my hand and foot pain well on bad days.

A black sleep mask and lots of sunglasses so I can block sunlight and even indoor lighting when it's really bad. I get awful occipital pain and headaches which concentrate behind my left eye.

A kind, compassionate, patient and loving fiancee plus my three children.

Percogesic - Similar to Doan's, I found the magnesium in those pills seems to help my leg spasms and cramps alot.

Fruit2O Essentials waters - 10% RDA potassium per serving which is very helpful.

Therabeads heating pads, especially the neck wrap one. Less then 2 minutes in the microwave and they're good for 20 minutes of heat

Frequent massages (obviously not during a flare up!)

Icy-hot patches for when I can't use the Lidoderm (those are 12 hrs on, 12 off)

Lukewarm epsom salt baths

Terry crop sweat pants from Victoria's Secret. Sooo soft and cuddly except when I'm overheating, then everything gets ripped off!

Vitamins I take - Apple Cider Vinegar capsules (reduces inflammation) Robitussin capsules ( I forget why but my fiancee said they're like a poor man's ketamine, they somehow react as ketamine does in the body) Vitamin C, B- complex, extra Niacin, Glucosamine, Fish Oil, tryptophan, etc

Thanks...I never thought of using the Tens Out in public! I often get frustrated and avoid places because I am afraid I am going to get bumped or for example when I go food shopping alone. I can't lift alot because of my arm but I get looks like I am just lazy. I even had a gil ask me "why not"? when I told her I couldn't lift a case of water. She said "you look fine". Grrrrrrr.

[QUOTE=stressedout;702590]Thanks...I never thought of using the Tens Out in public! I often get frustrated and avoid places because I am afraid I am going to get bumped or for example when I go food shopping alone. I can't lift alot because of my arm but I get looks like I am just lazy. I even had a gil ask me "why not"? when I told her I couldn't lift a case of water. She said "you look fine". Grrrrrrr.[/QUOTE

I wear it in public all the time but then I'm kind of the type who never really cares what others think. The difference in how people treat you and the elbow room and personal space they give you is amazing. I was in NY yesterday for a few Dr's appt's, wore it all day and never got bumped into once. Actually, alot of people ask about it because they know people who would benefit from one.

I have an ultrasensitive foot as well. initially i couldn't even let the sheets touch my foot or the pain was so bad i couldn't sleep. Desensitization with many objects helped a lot as well as warm epsom salts- i wear ultra light socks by puma - low cut - they dont press hard but expand gently - i got like 6 pairs for 5 dollars on sale and then went back and got another 6 more.

hello my name is kim and i have rsd and i am going to have a glanglin pain shot on monday and i very concerned about this if it will help or make this worst. I have a real fear in any one doing any thing i had two surgeries my arm and both failed and now i am worried about any one doing any thing . It is my right arm i am now disable from this and need some in put on this pain method they want to do please could i have some in put . Thank u kim

hey kim

i´m not sure but i think you are talking about a ganglion shot with a local anasthetic or a permanent lysis of the nerve
i have rsd in my right foot and had a lumber block done a few month ago, i was worried because i too had two surgeries before, which provoked my rsd
but the block and the pain meds helped at least a little bit (and every little bit is worse everything)
but i think you should talk about your fears with your doc, they cant see what you feel, and you should trust him so much that you can ask him your questions
i hope i could help you at least a little bit! if you have any further questions dont hesitate to ask
leiea

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Thanks,

Hi Kim,

Nice to meet you. The shot your refering to is called a "stellate ganglion block". I have had many in the beginning of my RSD journey. There really not a big deal as far as pain getting one goes and it is fairly quick. I know my pm doctor now's does them with ultrasound guidence, a couple of years ago when I was getting them it was without the ultra sound. I never had any bad side effects. You might get what they call a Horner syndrome which is like a droppy face but that goes away within a hour or so. You can get a world of information off the internet just put in "stellate ganglion block" and you'll get many hit's. I wish you the best and hope it brings you relieve. My RSD is also my right elbow/arm. I had a injury which required many surgeries and a titanium elbow.

Good luck and truly there's not any reason to be afraid.

gabbycakes

I am sure this has been said since I haven't read all the way through but Crocs have been my shoe of choice. The wide clog ones (fuzzy furry ones in the winter) and some sandals in the summer. shoes have been my main nemisis since this started but crocs ROCK

I have generalized RSD so i feel isolated. Using the computer to communicate is important to me but i have a difficult time typing. Well, my therapist recommended "Dragon speaking" which you download the program and using a headset you speak and it types for you!!! It is soo cool! I can answer my email now without taking forever. Look into it if you are having trouble it helps you stay connected to the world! momof4