Sym
 

Default Considering another procedure - Sympathectomy
I'm 10years into this mess...neck surgery and TOS surgery. I feel sad and hopeless today because it's been a year since my TOS surgery. The last few days I've had killer headaches, my shoulders feel like cement, my shoulder blades still has monsters living in there......and I'm still taking way too many meds!

Has anyone had this procedure done? The surgery is performed for different reasons, but for me I want it to "destroy the nerves in my mid back". It's not a major procedure...maybe even an outpatient. And how do I convince WC!


Open Mind ~ Open Heart

I've never had one, but a nerve block would tell you if you're even a candidate. (As a temporary, chemical sympathectomy, to see if there's any relief) I know some ladies that have had them, BE VERY CAREFUL.
I didn't think that they still did this....
It can be 'barbaric' from what I've heard,
Causing more problems than relief.

Good Luck!

pete

asb

I had some extra time today so did a search for info-
hope this link to the search results works for you -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/se...=sympathectomy

I had a pulsed radio frequency ablation . I think this is similar except that the nerves aren't severed. Anyways, this did nothing for me. I woke up feeling so much worse, they gave me Fentanyl to calm things down.
Patty

I agree ASB, I haven't read any thing that didn't put the sympAthectomy right up there with amputation. Seems to cause more issues than it solves.

I did have one of these in my wrist before the RSD diagnosis. It did not do anything for the pain, and now I have numb fingers that don't like to do what I want them to do. WC did pay for this, I don't remember how many hearings that it took. Good Luck

Stressed out,
I just read something about this being like ice packs when you first get injured. Not good. And I wore velcroed ice packs around my ankles and feet and the doc says that's part of my problem. But whenever (which was at least twice a week) I would call and tell them how bad the pain was the answer was always, "it's just a bad bruise ice packs and ibuprofen. I haven't thought of an appropriate way to say thanks yet as they still don't think I have a problem, eve though they've seen my black feet!

I also had the radio frequency procedure done and it was the worse procedure I have ever participated in! The procedure requires the patient to be awake the whole time and it was so painful. After the procedure my crps pain increased 10 fold in the affected limbs (my legs), and on top of that my back hurt really bad for months after the treatment from the procedure. This treatment increased my pain with CRPS and caused the disease to spread. Also, if the treatment is successful, in 6 months the nerve regenerates and usually with a vengeance. I do not recommend this treatment, it caused me to be in more pain, and caused the CRPS to spread.

O MY GOD DO NOT DO IT YOU CAN END UP WORSE THAN BEFORE. i HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THIS DRAGON FOR 31 PLUS YEARS AND THERE ARE TIMES I WISH I COULD DIE BUT HAVE HOPE TRY NERVE BLOCKS AND OTHER TREATMENTS THAT ARE OUT THERE BEFORE YOU GO DOWN THIS ROAD, i KNOW OF A PERSON THAT HAD IT DONE AND THEY ARE WAY WORSE THAN THEY WHERE BEFORE.

Hi Ann, Please listen to those experienced in this treatment. And do research as you are doing. Everything I have read and heard is WAY NEGATIVE for this treatment. Welcome to this wonderful warm family. One of your new friends, loretta

I would not do this. I have heard by doctors that when you have a surgical procedure with the nerves it could damage other nerves. I also feel with any procedure there is a risk of rsd spread.
I am sorry you are in such a bad place pain wise. Are there other procedures that are more common and safe that you have no tried?

I had it done!
 

I had TWO sympathectomys ..23 years ago due to TOS.. along with both of my first ribs removed, each side... it was the result of an auto accident I was in.. I was rear ended... Very long, painful recover..ribs were removed, nerve intentially cut with each surgery being 6 weeks apart due to the severtiy of this surgery..At that time.. my sympathectomys were 'warrented' part of the operation, Dr. didn't blink an eye to insisting it had to be done and he did it.....today it makes me wonder if my problems with RSD started back then...let me know if you have any other questions..

Hugz, Kathy:grouphug: