Pain flare-ups were common. When the flare-ups had first developed several months earlier, they were psychologically and physically devastating and usually resulted in a bout of feeling very depressed. But during the program, the medical team helped me change my attitude. The team taught me that, although during a flare-up it may be appropriate to cut back on exercise, completely stopping all activity only worsened the pain and extended the flare-up. They helped me build the confidence to continue exercising at a reduced level throughout the flare-up, in spite of the tremendous fear exercise provoked. I also learned to have a "plan" in place to help keep me busy and occupied while the flare-up lingered. My plan included having a good book nearby and ready to read, seeing friends, going to movies, going for drives with my husband, and logging on to the Internet. The goal was to keep my mind and emotions occupied until the flare-up passed.
Although the flare-ups continued after the program, I learned how to better cope with them. Over time, they became less frequent and of shorter duration. One post-program flare-up was particularly bad and sent me back to the Pain Center. I had been riding my bike one day, twisted my knee, and to my horror, RSD symptoms developed in the knee! Sherri immediately got me started on some special exercises and Dr. Galer prescribed a new drug to add to my current ones. This new drug was gabapentin (Neurontin). I learned that Neurontin, an anticonvulsant, had recently been used successfully to treat nerve pain.
Within about two months, Neurontin began to deliver an exceptional pain-reducing benefit. I was amazed and determined that it was one more helpful tool to add to my arsenal of RSD weapons. It was also the final tool that I needed because from that time on, my RSD symptoms continued to gradually diminish.