Nineteen years ago I suffered fracture of my spine following a cycle accident. I was treated at the JRH Oxford. At first my rehabilitation appeared to be going ok, but then I started suffering very acute pain attacks which were not treatable with normal meds. I was diagnosed with CRPS by Dr Outhwaite at the Churchill hospital, Oxford. Following a regime of exercise, rest and Oramorph I was able to get back to a restricted form of work after about three years.
The next breakthough came when my mother suggested I try her Tens machine. The pain relief this gave was limited but it did bring about the end of the intense pain attacks (or coincided with their ending). I still rely on the tens, but on its own it is not enough.
I have an ongoing battle with depression, but have concluded that a positive attitude is the only way forwards.
Cycling is a great boon as it is the only form of exercise I can take without the use of painkillers.
I still find that standing still, walking slowly or sitting upright cause considerable pain. Insomnia is also an on going problem.
After all these years I am having to give up the use of Oramorph as it is probably causing digestive problems. As yet I do not know what will take its place