Finally saw the pm Dr yesterday. He wants to try Lyrica. He is concerned because the pain came back 1 wk after the 6 nerve blocks. I don't like taking meds but with this monster I told him I'll try anything as this pain is getting worse. I took the 1st one (50mg) last night and have not slept that much in one night in the past 6 months! Question: will the Lyrica also help the tremors and the cramps I have or should I ask if there is something I can try for that too? Is there any supplements out there that will help rsd symptoms and pain?? I never thought a finger could cramp up but my whole hand does as well as little cramps throughout my fingers and hand...seem to be increasing. So far I am still in OT but have to get wc to approve more as Dr wants me to continue, not sure they will agree though. I've also noticed that I am very sensitive to cold. The ac bothers me and makes me ache, the freezer aisle in the grocery store too. It seems like everyday the pain is differant and new things appear. After all this miserable weather in NJ I have had pain like never before. Today is not so bad but it's going to rain again the next few days. Only about 4 months into this and I just feel physically and mentally drained.

Sorry to hear that you are in a lot of pain right now, Stressedout! I hope the Lyrica helps you and relieves some of your pain. I'm glad to hear you got some sleep last night - that is really good as I know how much not sleeping affects us!

I was put on Lyrica just after I was diagnosed with RSD but have since come off it as it didn't help me at all and I gained lots of weight whilst on it. I think I put over 30lbs on in the few months I was on the Lyrica!

I had a pretty nasty time coming off the med and had withdrawal symptoms. I think my doctor told me to come off it a bit too quickly and that is why I had a hard time. The withdrawal symptoms were really horrible. I was always having panic attacks, lashing out and throwing up for a few days !!!!

From what I was told from my doctor, the Lyrica will only help with the pain and wont help the spasms. I have bad myoclonic spasms and Dystonias and was put on several muscle relaxants such as Baclofen alongside the Lyrica. I'd definitialey speak to your doctor about the possibility of a muscle relaxant if you haven't already and see what he says.

I hope the Lyrica helps you. As you know, everyone is different and what works for one wont work for another unfortunately. I've heard some people on here have great results with Lyrica whilst for others, it doesn't help.

As for supplements, I was told to take Vitamin C as our bones can often weaken and that can really help strengthen them up. Someone also suggested GSE (Grape Seed Extract) as it is supposed to stop any spreading. I tried taking it but didn't find it helped me.

I'm very sensitive to the cold also. I think it's a common symptom for most RSD'ers unfortunately. I can't have the air-conditioning on as it really aggrivates my leg. I hate when it is winter as it always makes my pain so much worse!!

My RSD limbs cramp up a lot also which is really frustrating as it can be very painful at times. My doctor thinks my cramping is from the Dystonia which I have as a result of the RSD. I've tried some muscle relaxants to try and relieve it but nothing seems to have worked for me.

Take care of yourself and please keep us posted as to how you get on with the Lyrica. I hope it helps you and will keep you in my thoughts!!

Alison.

you might want to try the suppliment acetyl l-carnitine
bobber.

I have been taking Lyrica for months now. I can tell a huge difference in the burning pain level. They started me on a low dose which did not help so they have slowly increased it to 400mg. The initial side effects are brutal (I won't lie)... I did gain weight (115 to 130lbs) over the past 6 months (which has totally depressed me), vision has been effected, concentration was off, have a severe case of butter fingers (dropping things easily) and I felt dehydrated all the time. I have now gotten used to the major side effects but the big downside of this high of dosage is I am not allowed to drive. The plan is to continue to increase my level until we find a dosage that really helps cut down the burning sensation. I will go up to 600mg sometime in mid July. Oh boy!

I have been on Effexor XR for anxiety for over 10 yrs and it seems to work well with the Lyrica. I also take supplements recommended by my Ortho and PC. 1000mg of Vitamin C and 1200mg of Omega 3. I have increased my potassium intake to help with my muscle cramping and try to keep my caffine level low. For breakthrough pain I take Talwin NX, it has really helped take the edge off when I am hurting bad.

I hope this helps. Anymore questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
Good luck my friend.

I think the first supplement to try is magnesium.

Magnesium blocks the pain receptors called NMDA.

Magnesium dilates constricted blood vessels (implicated in RSD symptoms)

Magnesium is deficient in up to 70% of Americans!

Magnesium also improves cramping/spasms.

I have a magnesium thread here: To start choose a good form (NOT magnesium oxide) and aim for 1/2 the RDA which would be 200mg elemental:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1138

If you want other viewpoints? There are several good books out there by MDs who advocate magnesium.
Amazon carries them all.... just do a search.
One doctor is Jay Cohen, M.D.
You can check him out here:
http://www.medicationsense.com/about_cohen.html
Here is an excerpt from his book:
http://books.google.com/books?id=oD3...esult&resnum=7

The syndrome he relates in the introduction is a vasospastic disorder as well.

I take magnesium which was suggested by Mrs D and then restated by the holistic doctor I saw. I also take now klonopin and I think zanaflex for muscle relaxing and am on a similar drug to Lyrica neurontin though it does not help with sleep. I am so sensitive to cold to where it turns me into crying pain from the frozen foot/ankle which increases pain. Also for a supplement omega's help with inflammation. My rsd pain doc also suggested the vitamin c. It can take time to see results with meds so try to hang in there. Is there something you can take more as needed in the terrible flares? Many thoughts

I took Lyrica for about a week and half and gained 7 lbs in just that time, after quiting it, I still gained 10 more lb and I'm finally getting it off. It didn't help with the pain though. It does have lots of side effects.

Weight gain can cause problems also so you have to think about that too.

Ada