Stephanie
Actually RSD is neither a "brain disorder" or simply damage to the autonomic nervous system/sympathetic nerve as you put it. RSD is a disorder of the Central and Autonomic (Sympathetic/Parasympathetic) Nervous Systems, it also affects the Immune system. All of this is from a study NIH did - RSD is now more often called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I or Type II. RSD can be a disorder of the sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetically mediated) - but sometimes it is sympathetically independent. Though I have no evidence - in my case it seemed to affect more and more systems as treatment was not given. I was given only one block which gave me some relief though not 100%. RSD or CRPS is a very complex disorder - I think it is actually a number of different disorders that have gotten grouped under one umbrella due to similar symptoms and general lack of familiarity in the medical community. That is why telling someone this or that won't work is a bad idea. The only real constant is don't immobilize the affected area, get treatment as early as possible (after 6 months it becomes MUCH more difficult to treat), and keep the area moving as much as is tolerable. Sleep also seems to play a key factor - with the right meds at night to sleep more soundly (pain, sleeplessness, and spasticity all need to be treated to accomplish this) you will often have a great improvement in pain and with your ability to deal with it.