Hi Shadownite!! Welcome to Neurotalk! I'm so sorry you have to be here, but you've found a great place to ask questions and many caring people to help you out and offer support!! Did they sedate you for your block?? Different Pain Docs have different time frames for injections and different methods.

I find that being sedated helps the muscles to relax so it shouldn't hurt much afterward. It may stimulate the nerve endings causing some temporary swelling and increased temperature.....that is actually considered a positive sign for correct placement of the injection. I have never had a stellate block.....mine have all been in my back......so I'm sure others will be able to give you more specific feedback on your particular injection.

My Pain Doc did two blocks a week for a month. I have heard that others do one block every couple of weeks. There is a great variance in the time frame but the important thing is to wait long enough in between to see if they're helping or hurting. Nerve blocks are not successful in many of us with RSD.

Try a warm pack on the injection site to see if that will help ease the pain. Do NOT put ice on it (even if they told you to). Ice is contraindicated in people with RSD. Many nurses, doctors, PT's and hospital staff do not know that.

I'm sorry you are hurting. Hopefully this will be short-lived and you will begin to see better results tomorrow. Just try to rest and relax today. Let your sympathetic nervous system calm down and hopefully your pain levels will decrease as well.

Please keep us posted on how you're doing!!!