Hi Andrea, I have had 2 radiofrequency ablation blocks. One of mine they just pulsed the radiowaves to heat up the ganglia.(located below adams apple in neck) it gave me relief for 3 weeks or so. They were hoping for 6 moths or more. The PM doc I have went back to doing the Stellate Ganglion Blocks which gave me 2 weeks relief. A few months later is when he did another but this time with more heat to try to settle down the sypathetic nervous system. I have always tolerated them well(according to the doc). I never took medication to relax me because my doc wanted me to be able to tell him whats going on. Added sensations in limb etc...It is his personal preference. Some give you something to relax you. Some people have really good luck with them. It is the next step before sympathectamy where they actually cut the sympathetic nerves. As it was described to me. My doc was trying everything he could for my partricular case to avoid sypathectomy or spinal cord stimulation.

I wish you good luck with it if you choose that path......one thing with rsd it seems like i have had too many choices to make sometimes. That is what forums are good for. You might not run into another person in your drs office with rsd to get info from but there is an abundant here.

hope my info helps and if you have any other questions please ask. Take care

debbie