I know I'm being a little repetitious but I can't help it! I am feeling like I have a new life. For nearly 5 years every minute of every day was consumed with RSD and nerve pain. It also seemed to cause my other pain (from fibromyalgia, old herniated disk and arthritis) to also escalate.
The doctor still isn't sure why I've suddenly got this reduction in pain and says we may never know. She still says we can't be sure if it's permanent. I do still have pain over the area where I had my implant but it's manageable. I'll be starting to see a physical therapist in the next few weeks to see if I can strengthen my hand and wrist. We'll be going slow with it so as to not aggravate things. And for now, I'm still on the low dose of oxycodone. The doctor doesn't want to push our luck by making too many changes, but I'm hopeful that if I continue on this way, that I can slowly taper off and see how I am with no meds.
I still use the Voltaren gel and a little ibuprofen along with the oxycodone but compared to what I was on a year ago (and getting no relief,) what I'm on now is miniscule.
All I know is that I am so joyful. I appreciate every minute of relief from this pain. I hope that this can give someone hope. After so much pain for 5 years and trying all sort of procedures, pain meds and surgeries with no relief, I had got to the point of feeling like this was as good as it was going to get ... and it wasn't good. Even the doctors were losing hope that they'd find something that would help a little.
This forum has helped me so much over the years ... hearing other people's troubles, learning about new meds and procedures, helped me in this journey. However this happened for me, I am so thankful. So even if you've been battling CP for years, keep searching. When you least expect it, you may find something that really makes an impact.