welcome to our little family sorry about the late reply.I've been reading the posts but just getting in to reply after a long surgery.Some of what you are experiencing could certainly be rsd but it could also be nerve damage.I happen to have both and no they aren't really the same think I would talk to your doctor about doing some nerve test to check wheather the nerves are function correctly.Believe me it is bettter to know for sure what it is that you are dealing with.That lighing bolt is how my nerve damage feels and there are medication you can take to lessen that pain that are effective.

talk to you doctor make him listen this is somthing that just like rsd deserves to be taken seriously

take care of yourself

mirage