Hi Lynn
It is common to combine the drug used to do the block with a steroid - they mix them and inject them together after injecting the dye that tells them they are in the right place. The theory is that the steroid works on the sympathetic nerves much like any other steroid injection would be used on painful or inflammed joints or soft tissue.

Rita
I don't know where your husband's block was placed. Usually it is done as a stellate ganglion block for arms and a lumbar spinal block for legs but neither block will affect the other body part if you see what I mean. You talk about your husband having CRPS in his leg but also mention problems with his arm. If the block is incorrectly done or not placed in the right spot it can cause all sorts of problems with breathing,swallowing and movement. Has your husband been back in touch with whoever performed the block to report the problems he is having? If it was done correctly and he has had so many problems then I don't see why you are assuming that he will have to have more of them done. If it doesn't help then there is no point in having any more done. This does seem to be (the) one area where the US is behind the UK - even going privately here they don't repeat pointless blocks but there seems to be more willingness to do that in the US.

Your husband needs to arm himself with as much good quality medical knowledge as he can before he sees the doc again so that he can ask the right questions and understand the answers (and recognise if he is being fobbed off with rubbish!!). There is no substitute for ensuring that you learn everything you can about CRPS - most doctors have a hopelessly low level of knowledge and understanding so the only way is for you to take that responsibility for your own treatment. Knowledge really is power with CRPS. It will also help you both to come to terms with the condition, the treatment options and the emotional side of things.