Hi LoveFamilypets,
I've had 7 sympathetic lumbar blocks..
The first one two years ago gave my a whole morning of relief! it was so great, and then I felt the pain return..
The next four warmed up my leg but didn't give me any pain relief..
The 6th one was a terrible experience..my ex P.M. doc missed the spot so she removed the needle and reinserted another needle to try again..My back spasmed unbeliebably...awful..plus it caused a terrible, terrible burning flare that lasted for 3 or 4 days!!

The last one I had was at a university teaching hospital and they added some clonodine to the mix..I was sooo hoping that this would make a difference, but the block only warmed up my leg a couple of degrees and caused a burning flare for a couple of days...So I think that's it for blocks..sadly, because I had such hope that they could help.

Last week I had what is called a popliteal block..it was done behind the knee ..
This, too, caused a burn flare and didn't help!!
I wonder why blocks help some and give them great relief, while others like myself, experience burn flares!!

I had been getting injections into the nerves in my foot monthly (4 shots into 4 different nerves...this was done up until last december...even though these flared up my foot for a day or so, they did bring more flexibility to my foot and ankle and took away some of the weird, frostbitten sensation in my toes....
I might do these again...not sure though!

I wish your doctors hadn't treated you that way when you told them you had pain after the block.....they should know blocks can cause a flare-up..
The doc who administered my popliteal block last week told me that creating a flare is one of the risks of the blocks....

Good luck to you..I hope something works for you and gives you some relief..don't give up searching!!
hugs from Hope4thebest