Hi I am new to this board, and just learning about RSD.  I had a knee replacement in 3/04 aand had some things go wrong :o( ended up with what the surgeon called 'causalgia'.  I've had an epidural, then two series of nerve blocks.  The first series helped quite a bit, for three months, then it turned off like a switch.  The second series did nothing...  So the way RSD manifests now for me is really nasty muscle spasms.  It has spread up my right leg, into my lower back, across and down my left leg.  If I walk or try to do too much, these are some screamer spasms.  I also get the 'hot wire' across the right leg and the 'my covers are hurting me' on the left leg.  Seems there is only one Dr. with significant knowledge about RSD in this area, trying to get in to see him but he's not part of my insurance.  My primary care doc is a really nice guy but I think he's trying hard to stay ahead of me in learning about this disease.  He's put me on Lyrica which seems to help somewhat but makes me swell more and HUNGRY!  I can't afford to gain any weight, it makes for more pain after walking, etc.  I saw on a discussion board people were talking about "Stage 3", etc.  What is that about, and how do I find out where I am?  So is Stage 4 fatal, like it is in cancer?  This is a scary thing.