Hi rtmcmahon631,
Im so sorry you are going thru so much. It sounds like a good move to change Drs. Have you heard of the Cleveland Clinic. It is one of the best hospitals in the country for RSD. I'd have to do some research to the the RSD Dr. name. I was wrongly diagnosed for 4 years and flew across country and correctly diagnosed in 1 minute and followed up with confirming tests. Came backhome, took a while , but have a great Dr. for the last 5 years. I attended the RSDSA annual conference one day for patients and one dat for Drs. It was here in Scottsdale AZ There was a scientist and 4 Drs. They all support medication to stay sane. Besides opiods, there is anti-depressants that help nerve pain. Neurotin helps nerve pain. I was on 3200 mg. Then switched to Lyrica for a year. It does cause weight gain. Ifound the Lyrica more helpful in the pain area than the Neurotin for me. Everyone is so different. One med that has helped me as much as pain med, viocin, is an anti-anxiety med called Lorazepam. 2 mg. 3xday is what I take. I do a lot of of things to relax. like meditation, prayer, music, exericse and stretching. swimming has kept me walking and mobile.I have had 3 limbs totally freeze up and thru p.t. and massage therapy, got two of them 95% plus back and one hand is about 50 percent, but able to cut my food and dress my self. Also went thru desensitation with therapy and I do something every day, Stretching is good. I've had full body 13 years, and it takes a lot time to emotionally, mentaly get thru the dark days, months, years. The last 5 years have been so much better,because my Dr. is a psychiatrist, neurologist, and pharmacologist. I'm so much better than if I had not had the skilled guidance by this Dr. and support and knowledge from this forum. Stay with us and READ READ READ. It helps so much to be informed about this disorder and developing a grateful attitude. Skills like biofeedback, and guided imagary are helpful too. There must be a support group in Boston. Looking up the national organization RSDSA and giving them your zipcode, they'll give you the closest support group near you. That helps so much. I have a good friend who has full body rsd from a car accident with 5 children, can't imagine. On a side point, I've not had the blocks, I've heard of good outcomes and also spread from the blocks. It's really difficult to make decisions with the risk of more pain. I'm going to try HBOT as soon as my Dr. gets his new clinic constructed. I read some good results about it. Talked to a couple of people who bought used ones for their home. The mechanics of the equipment make sense when it comes to our need for better circulation and oxygen to our limbs. Please take care, and let us know what you find out. If you would like name of Dr. at the Cleveland Clinic, I 'll get it for you. There are people on this forum that have been and like this Dr. Take care, loretta