Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubious
I think this question came up a few months ago on another post. Nevertheless, it is the SGB's that keep me going. Life is never okay after CRPS/RSD but has been improved somewhat since the blocks. For me (and I understand for everyone, the result is unique), I feel pretty good for 2 weeks, then the results degrade over 2-4 months and I then certainly appreciate another one. I am scheduled for #10 SGB in two weeks. They still help, temporarily.
Tips? Almost all of them paralyses 1/2 of my vocal cords and that causes not only a temporary loss of voice but also I choke on food or fluids until the "effect" wears off. So...drink what you can in the 1st 1/2 to 1 hour or so afterwards in case you are the same. Otherwise, you won't enjoy any food or drink for another 5-6 hours!
I hope you gain some (temporary) relief like I still do!
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It's funny you should ask this I am scheduled to do a round of 3 starting in Sept. Let me go back. When I was first DX with RSD I had 14 of them, the first few where done as just a injection and I don't remember it going all the way through my neck to the back of my neck, but I could be wrong. And it only took 2 minutes the prep took longer. Then after the 3rd one he started doing it with flouroscopy guideance, plesae remember this was back in 2004,2005. It really was not painfull just a little but you do get what they call a Homers Syndrome which is drupping of the face and numbness in the same area, but it only last for a few hours. I did get relieve but it did not last. Roll forward during all this I had to have surgeries to correct my original problem. My RSD did get worse so they recommended 5 day inpatient ketamine treatments with booster which I did 3 times in 4 years. The ketamine did work to an extent but it has been almost 2 years since my last ketamine booster and really don't want to do ketamine again and I am beginning to really suffer again from the RSD. So, he said they now do Stellate Ganglion Blocks with ultra sound so the block is administered with more percision. And I asked the question, "I have had RSD for 6 years why would a SGB work" and the answer was it is done differently then the way I received them in the beginning so give it a try. So I said yes. Just make sure it is by a Pain Managment doctor who has a lot of experience doing these type of blocks.
Good luck..
Gabbycakes