I have had three doctors diagnose RSD. I don't like the treatment optionI'm getting(EPIDIRAL) HELP!?
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How long since your rsd started, and where is it? If you're in your first few months, then epidural or a sympathetic block are good treatment options. Have you been offered drug treatments such as amitriptyline or gabapentin- many of the antidepressant or anticonvulsant drugs are useful in treating rsd.
There are many other treatment options around also- just a few are ketamine infusions, implanted drug pumps and spinal cord stimulator. I have an implanted SCS, but after a year have relief only from some of the hyperesthesia pain (from touch, breeze, etc.), not from any of the deeper burning pains that I get.
I would also recommend that you have a look at some of the online support groups if you haven't already- they are a good place for support when you need it but are also an incredibly valuable source of information on treatment options etc.
I hope that you find an answer that brings you some relief. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions...when it comes to rsd I've been there, done that & sold the t-shirt. Take care
Have you considered a dorsal column stimulator? My friend's son had great results with this device. It worked so well that he was able to have it turned off, but he still has it implanted, should he need it again. Good luck
There are many options to treating RSD, but an sympathetic block or epidural is typically the first step in treating RSD/CRPS. Some other options are IV treatments, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physical therapy, desensitization, a spinal cord stimulator (SCS, which has been my most helpful treatment, but every patient is different so it may or may not be helpful- you can get more info about SCS's at www.ans-medical.com) I would suggest starting with the block and then move onto more invasive treatments if you need to. Medications are rarely useful in treating RSD/CRPS, but occasionally nerve medications can help treat some of the pain, but narcotics typically do not do much. You can go to www.rsds.org for more helpful information and also feel free to e-mail me if you would like. Good luck!
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