Hi Sillyme,

 The more I read your post the more it looks like I wrote them, are problems are almost identical except for I am a Male and I was 46 when I couldnt raise my left arm or move it. It was in 2000 when that happened right after a left arm carpal tunnel and a repair to the left unler nerve as it had a transposition in 94. By 2000 the left ulner had become completely entrapped in scar tissue, it was then I found out that the Dr that originally done my left transposition was not qualified to do nerve surguries(he was a comp Dr). He had actually done both of my elbos in 94 and both of them were intrappen by scar tissue by 2000 but the left was much worse, my right is still partially entrapped but after finding out I had RSD the Drs decided not to open my arms again. To date I have had 2 ulner nerve transpo's and the left had to be redone but to no avail....it is destroyed and I have had carpal tunnels on both hands twice...for a total of 7 nerve surguries on my arms in a 6 year period. And yes, the pain goes down my spine to T8 where the sympathetic nerve comes out of the spine. I also have a bulging disc in my SI joint. There are so many similarities between us I think even tho its not good I have to laugh. It been 9 years for the RSD now and I feel as I am doing better now that I was even 3 years ago. I think the big thing for getting a little better was simply accepting my condition and letting the anger of what the work comp Dr's and system in general did to me during the first few years....it was so bad Im not even going it to it! You probably know anyway if you too had to deal with W/C..LOL

 The final answer to my treatment was Oxycontin, I have been on a moderate dose for 6 years now and its still working for me...no! I dont get high from it, it gives me some quality of life. I am on Pharma Purdue's patient assistance program and my perscription comes driectly from them @ $25 a month instead of full prive of $589. For anybody who wants to know about this program here is pharma purdue's patient assistance PH # 1-800-599-6070. If anybody is on SSDI or on a limited income and with a little assistance from your Dr you too can get this tremendious discount. I dont recomend Oxycontin as it is addictive but that is all that worked for me...I was on every drug there is in a 2 year period before they gave me Oxycontin and  not once have I excedded my perscribed dose nor has it caused me any health problems.

Frank