For those battling the “suicide disease,” the search for relief often feels like a series of dead ends. Traditional treatments in the U.S. frequently focus on masking symptoms through opioids or invasive surgeries. However, Neridronate infusions represent a paradigm shift: treating the root cause of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) to achieve long-term remission.
At CRPS-Support, we are dedicated to helping Americans navigate the path to Italy to access this life-changing therapy. With our local California coordinators, Nicolò Cladera and Carla Crowe, your journey from chronic pain to recovery is supported every step of the way.
What is Neridronate?
Neridronate is an amino-bisphosphonate that has been officially approved by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) as a specific treatment for CRPS. While other bisphosphonates are often adapted from bone cancer treatments, Neridronate is the standard choice in Italy for rheumatological conditions due to its safety profile and efficacy.
- How it Works: It targets regional bone loss and bone edema commonly found in CRPS patients.
- Anti-Inflammatory Action: It inhibits serum inflammatory cytokine levels, effectively stopping the “pain signals” sent by overactive nerves.
- Long-Term Benefits: It is currently the only pharmaceutical treatment scientifically linked to complete remission.
The Treatment Protocol
The Italian protocol is refined, non-invasive, and designed for maximum impact with minimal hospital time.
- The Schedule: Patients receive four intravenous (I.V.) infusions of 100 mg of Neridronate.
- Duration: These infusions are typically administered over a 10-day period (one infusion every third day).
- Recovery Timeline: While initial relief may be felt sooner, the drug takes approximately six months to reach its full effect on the body.
- Side Effects: Most patients experience only temporary, manageable flu-like symptoms (fever or joint pain) that last 1–3 days after the infusion.
Why Italy? The Evidence for Remission
Italy’s success is backed by rigorous clinical trials conducted at the University of Verona. In a landmark randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the results were definitive:
| Study Metric | Result for Neridronate Group |
| Pain Reduction (VAS) | Significant decrease within the first 20 days. |
| Linear Improvement | Pain levels continued to decrease linearly even after infusions ended. |
| One-Year Follow-up | 100% of patients in the study reported no symptoms linked to CRPS-I. |
While trials in the U.S. were unfortunately cut short due to less stringent participant criteria, the Italian medical community has successfully used this protocol since 2016 to return thousands of patients to their normal lives.
Is Neridronate Right for You?
Our California-based team helps you determine eligibility before you ever board a plane. To be a candidate for the $360^{\circ}$ Approach, Italian specialists require specific health markers:
- Required Labs: Blood tests for Vitamin D, Calcium, Creatinine, and Phosphorus.
- Clinical History: Confirmation of a CRPS diagnosis based on the Budapest Criteria.
- Exclusions: The treatment is not suitable for those with kidney failure, during pregnancy, or for patients currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Take the Next Step with CRPS-Support
You don’t have to manage your pain alone. Our Patient Care Coordinators in California are ready to help you organize your medical travel and bridge the gap to Italian excellence.