First of all, intro.. I am a 34-year-old mother of 5, and I have had RSD in my ankle and leg and my lower spine for almost 4 years now. Got it after surgery for an injury sustained in an accident with a drunk driver. I take Neurontin, Cymbalta, Ultram, and Hydrocodone, and have tried Lyrica but did not do well on it.

Talking to others who understand is the best medicine of all, so thank you. That being said, I have found some natural supplements that really do help out.

I take 1000 mg of Eveneing Primrose oil 3 times a day. I wasn't sure that it made any differrence, but a week after I ran out, the area in my spine flared up so badly that I couldn't bend over, and it was VERY hard to walk. About a week after going back on, things got significantly better. For some reason, it doesn't do that much for the ankle which is the original site of the RSD, but it does help a lot with movement in my back.

The meds I'm on keep me awake at night, so I take 6 mg of Melatonin about 30 minutes before bedtime. It's the hormone your body produces to induce sleep, so it's natural, and non-habit -forming. It REALLY helps me sleep and it's available almost anywhere. My favorite is 1mg sublingual tablets because they work fast and you can adjust how much you take easily.

Now, the question... My Neurontin makes a huge difference in my sensitivity and burning, so I really need to stay on it. However, I have gained 10 lbs, and really feel sad about my weight. It may not seem like much, but I have never had weight problems before, and I REALLY want to lose what I have gained and not gain any more. I eat right, excersise when the pain allows, and stay active. Any tips on how to drop the weight without going off the medicine??

Thanks so much for your help. Wishing everyone a pain-free weekend