Well, for one whole week we lowered the Florinef back to one 0.1mg tab a day which Kristin has been taking for at least 10 yrs now.  We went for the second nerve block and the dr. refused because of her blood pressure - 163/112.  He was not comfortable with doing the procedure because he said it was likely her BP would go up a little during the administration of the block.  We immediately left the hospital and went to the endo’s office.  We didn’t have an appt. but she had Kristin’s file sent up immediately and checked it for us to see her BP history for the last year.  It seems the elevated BP began in August (135/81 - up from about 120/60).  That is the same time she started taking Vioxx for the RSD and inflamation in her leg. Vioxx is an NSAID and they are notorious for raising BP when taken daily for an extended period of time.  It really doesn’t seem to be doing her any good anyway, so we immediately discontinued the Vioxx.  Meanwhile, her endo cut out the one Florinef she was still taking since she is not a salt-waster anyway.  The theory is that the two drugs in combination may have caused the BP to go up - or the Vioxx got it up there and the Florinef helped to maintain it.  We will keep a check on her BP and if it goes down and stays down we will get a medical release from the endo or pediatrician so they will agree to do her next nerve block.  Meanwhile, the leg is no better.  She really needs the block and needs it to work.

Sorry this is so long.  I just wanted to pass it along because it seems to all concerned that Florinef was the culprit and in this case maybe it really wasn’t - or not completely.  Thanks again for your concern - and please say a prayer that we will get through this RSD quickly and life can return to some semblance of normalcy.