Hi Karebear -

I am so sorry for your pain and the ordeal you've been through. I wish you the best. You have come to a wonderful place for support. I hope you return or are at least reading the posts.

Sounds like we are in the same boat with some of the problems you've been through. I was dx'd with CRPS w/secondary frozen shoulder. Fortunately the PT who is managing my care knows that ice is the worst therapy for CRPS and we only use heat.

Ice maybe good for the frozen shoulder but it will do more damage for the CRPS so I stay away from it.

I've had several nerve blocks which, as you have found out, wear off after a period of time. I've had several in the sympathetic nerve plexus that have helped, but the pain has returned. I've had two in the C3/C4 - in through the back of my neck and one through the front. The one through the front gave me more relief than the one through the back. That was just worthless!

I am scheduled to see the neurosurgeon tomorrow afternoon to find out options for the C3/C4 pain. It has gotten worse and the PM doc is at a loss as to what to do. Pain meds aren't even touching the pain.

PT is helping with the frozen shoulder to keep it from completely freezing and I've had a couple of steroid injections to help with the pain.

I wish you luck with your pain and situation. Keep in touch.