I've posted info about SGB's many, many times over the past few years. And frankly I'm to the point where I figure anyone that truly wants to explore the option will do their own research, but I'll run through it again...

Any reduction of pain is a sign of the block working. If someone has a few days of relief, that's actually not at all a sign of a failed block. If someone has a bad reaction to a block--in otherwords it causes spread, that is obviously a big deal, but that's rare.

So, how does one prolong the results of a block?

1) Change the block "cocktail". If DeproMedrol was NOT used, then it's a really good idea to add it in.

2) Having a series of blocks can have a cumulative effect.

3) Lastly, the skill and technique of the doc performing the block are very important. Is he performing the block via fluoroscopy while the patient gives feedback? This isn't fun--but it is effective. For someone with a low threshold for pain, it might prove difficult. If you're simply being knocked out, and the block is done, then it's a crap shoot...

I've had SGB's performed in the standard, haphazard method I'm guessing is not uncommon. I've had SGB's performed by a former spine surgeon, that treated the procedure like a spine surgery. It was a lengthy procedure, via fluoroscopy. The same doc performed the blocks with DeproMedrol and without. As a result, I had widely varying results. Even with a highly skilled doc, my results only lasted a few days without DeproMedrol. But I've had results that lasted up to 3 weeks when done via fluoroscopy and with DeproMedrol. I have had additional surgery with a SGB beforehand, that didn't result in spread. I believe I could have achieved remission IF the right doc, using the right meds and technique had performed a series of SGBs in the first year of my developing RSD/CRPS. In fact, I'm having a SGB done to try and stop spread in a new area...