Hi Carolina Rose,

So sorry to hear you have joined ranks. Poop! I think the decision to have a block or not is highly personal and the literature is mixed. There seems to be a degree of controversy on whether they are truly diagnostic for CRPS or not. Do a sympathetic block on anyone and their limb will warm. Ought to tell you if your pain is sympathetically maintained though. I have read of people getting serial blocks, even 2-3 in a single week over a period of weeks. In my mind this seems excessive and like a set up for scarring on the sympathetic chain. All things in moderation. Despite the "oh my God, it's CRPS, hurry up and do something" that may be floating around in your head or the doctor's head I don't think taking a few days to look into the research on Pubmed is unreasonable. It is an invasive technique with potential complications and should be undertaken with information on board. That said, many people have obviously found relief with them and they may be just the thing for you to knock this thing down and start recovering.

I decided against one for myself but I have a problem of scarring with unnatural enthusiasm. There is an option of trying an oral sympathetic blocker (something in my back pocket). Phenoxybenzamine and clonedine are both recommended by Dr. Michael Stanton-Hicks of Cleveland Clinic as useful. Clonidine is less effective per literature but widely available. Studies on Phenoxybenzamine are positive BUT it costs a ton of money and no generic is currently available the USA. You can order from Canada with a script and the patience for it to get shipped from Mauritius. (I know this because it really is in my back pocket).

Please let us know what you decide and how it goes. I am sending Healing Love and thoughts of fast relief.
Littlepaw