Hi, I am brand new here and looking for some much needed information from people who have/had nerve blocks.

Brief summary: Bilateral carpal tunnel (started in 2006), bilateral basal joint replacements, bilateral thumb IP fusions, Left MCP fusion, left tendonitis, right trigger thumb. These are all surgeries I have had since 2007, last one in July 2010. (worker's comp case). Each surgery amazingly helped the problems, yet after the last one, I noticed this burning sensation in both hands. I thought, this is new and scary. Surgical sight was healing a lot slower than prior surgeries. Doctor (hand surgeon) tried managing it for about 3 months and has since referred me to pain management.

First PM visit 2 weeks ago: put on lyrica (which caused my eyes to blur) and lidoderm patches (which caused my whole body to itch uncontrollably). Doctor wants to do nerve blocks. I am less than thrilled about it as I am afraid of needles and have never had success with cortisone shots. Of course I looked procedure up on computer to find that doctor goes in through front of neck/throat!! YIKES....anybody have these done?(for hands/arms) I would appreciate any information!

Thank you!

Hi,
I too have CRPS and have had the disease for over four years. Nerve blocks are the standard treatment in the beginning stages of this disease and are usually done in a series of 3 to see how effective the treatment is and it is also used as a tool for confirming the diagnosis of CRPS because the block only blocks the sympathetic activity so if you get relief (nomatter how short term) than you know the pain is related to CRPS.
Also, I just wanted to let you know that there is a forum for CRPS titled RSD (reflex sypmpathtic dystrophy which is the old name for CRPS). Good luck and I hope to see you on that forum too. :0)
Sarah

Thank you Sarah, I did find that forum after I posted this, but I did copy it over to that as well. I look forward to getting educated here and will hopefully soon be able to navigate this site!

Sorry to hear about your pain, and I am sure you are worried after reading about this life - changing diagnosis.

I have been navigating the different treatment modalities for 9 years, since being diagnosed with RSD , which I was later told has been hanged to CRPS, (yet another Dr. referred to it as nerve dystrophy). I did have multiple blocks,
I also tried Neurontin, Lyrica and Cymbalta at different times. I understand that these drugs have been a godsend and a blessing for many folks, so I would urge you to at least see how they work for you. For me, they were not so good- I also experienced the blurry vision, weight gain (esp. Lyrica), but the worst side effect ( again- for ME) was the effect these meds had on my mood and outlook on life. I am generally an upbeat, "glass is half full "kind of person. While on these meds, (Cymbalta being the one that impacted me in the worst way) I became despondent, hopeless and really did not only consider ending my life, but just about was convinced it was the right thing to do. It took extreme force of will to pull back from that brink, fight with the worker's comp carrier who expected "compliance with treatment recommendations" to say "NO" ! " this is not right for me". So, at this point, I fell as though I have my life back - no more blocks, only a pain patch that holds the beast back enough for me to function. I use a Fentanyl patch since the oral opioids made me ill.
Please be willing to try any and all recommendations, and trust your body to tell you what works for you.
I will keep you in prayer, and wish you well. Always remember that your pain doesn't define you , or own you.