CRPS and my 1st symp. nerve block...
 

Hi, I am new here and I have CRPS in both feet and my right hand. It started after 2 knee surgeries. My first symp. nerve block is on sept 16th. What should I expect from it?? Does it hurt? Will it help and for how long? Thanks for listening everyone!

Hi Karen,
Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your RSD. At least you're not alone.
I take it your first nerve blocks will be shots. If that's the case than no. They'll be shots given like you would receive a flu shot.
All they will be are numbing agents delivered directly to the effected nerve bundle in hopes of blocking pain signals to the brain.
Good luck...

Let us know how it goes...

Karen,

my nerve blocks were done with a little sedation in the lumbar. They hurt just a little but mostly it was pressure. (heavy pushing feeling).
Depending on how long you have had RSD will depend on your success. Mine only lasted 7-10 days.

Welcome, I am fairly new here myself and just so glad to find I am not alone. Everyone has been great and full of information. It is not always what you want to hear but what you need to hear. (THE TRUTH)

anita:hug:

Hi Jimbo, thanks for your reply! As far as I know my nerve block will be done under some type of mild sedation? At least that's what the doc said. I am having 4 blocks done in two week intervals. I have had CRPS for about 7 months. I could not get my PCP to listen to me about my bizarre burning foot pain. So here I am at stage 2 and getting my first block. Thanks again for your reply and listening.

Thanks Anita (sp?) I'm pretty sure that's what I am having done. Is your CRPS in your feet as well? If not, where does yours effect you? Thanks for the kind words!! I needed it.

Karen,
Ooopsie, I forgot to mention. My RSD started in my left wrist and arm and spread to the upper arm, left side of my neck, face then down to my left leg. The nerve block shots were put in the ganglion nerves at the base of my neck. Yours' will probably be different.
My RSD is also effecting my degenerative cerebral atrophy from head trauma which is making a mess of my motor skills, walking and speech...

HOLY HANNAH!! I am sending you good thoughts and prayers. I can not begin to imagine how much pain you must be in. What are your doctors doing for you now to help with pain? Are you still having nerve blocks? *hugs* Karen

Karen,
Thanks for the thoughts and hugs. No more blocks. They didn't work for me.
As for pain med prescribed is Lyrica 600 mgs. a day split up in 3 times. My neurologist is leaning towards narcotics if the Lyrica doesn't do the job but I'm trying not to go that route. I might start including prescription Aleve.
So far so good!
Again thanks...

Karen,
Mine is in my right foot and the cold is now going up my leg with cramps. It will be 2 years next month since I first heard the word RSD.
I'm not sure what happened to the rest of my message earlier, I had posted it with my phone.
But I wanted you to know about EMLA cream. It's a numbing cream that can be applied prior to your procedure, cover with plastic wrap. I am told its great for things like IV's. You should ask your doctor before your procedure.
Anita

:)Thanks Anita!!! I will ask about the cream at my block appt. I have to admit the "cold" feelings of RSD don't bother me that bad. Don't get me wrong, I DO NOT enjoy the feeling of having my feet, ankles, and now my hand feel like I am in a meat locker. But I think the worst part for me is the burning, scalding, on fire pain that I have. Man oh man nothing seems to make that feel better. Anyway, thanks for the info about the cream. :)
,

Wow! Hope the Lyrica helps you.
 

For me Lyrica and Neurontin made my edema a zillion times worse. Now I am on Lamictol and Nortriptalene (sp??) Anyway, I sure do hope you get some relief soon. RSD is enough to make you tear your hair out!! :(

It's not bad at all, you'll be in and out before you know it! They'll sedate you and you'll lay on the operating table on your stomach. They should have a local anesthetic in so that you really can't feel much and will likely guide it in with a fluoroscopy, which is an x-ray. The rest of that day and the next day your back might be a little sore, but you shouldn't have to follow any restrictions starting the following day. Good luck!!

I am a weenie too!!! But from what I have heard so far, I will be in the ozone layer when it is done. I hope so anyway. I just hope I am one of the few that gets some relief from it. Thanks to everyone who has helped me out with this on here!!!:grouphug: Karen

I'm such a weenie that I refused the stent my neurologist suggested. So you're not alone...

I have been having the nerve blocks for a year now. My RSD started with a soft tissue injury in my left calf but I wasn't sent to pain mgt for 7 months, then finally had my first block which is usually a diagnostic tool and it only lasted a few days. Since then i've had them every 8 wks except when the doc thought WC was going to order an IME so he didn't want me to be pain free for the examination which never happened.

So far these work well for me and keep my pain levels down as long as I behave. Which means limited walking. Mine has gone to my right leg an it actually behaves worse than my injured leg/foot. I am able to get out, just not wear shoes and socks. I wear over-sized silky lined or imitation lamb's wool lined slippers. I do have a pair of shoes, 2 sizes bigger than before the accident, that I wear when I care about being put together bit more but don't plant walk much.. I use a wheelchair in stores or the mall, and I recently found a mobility scooter at a fantastic price so I can go on "walks" again with my hubbie.

I feel safest inside my home, but the injections, some of which I get anaesthesia with, so he can go deeper, I have lower pain and more courage to go out. After 20 some months I am learning to think about something other than my feet. That in itself is a relief. Learning the balance between what I want to do and what it will cost me in painful consequences has been a hard one for me but I'm getting there. Winter is far more restrictive for me because when I put socks sand boots on the pain causes panic attacks which my hubbie doesn't care for.

The injections work better when you are relaxed and have uncluttered your mind and follow Drs afterwards orders.

God bless you and this time of treatment.

OH! Thank you so much for the helpful info!! I have had RSD for about 7-8 months.(approx.) I was not diagnosed until last month.(i think, i am a little fuzzy). My nerve block is today and I am a little worried about the ride home. My pain doctor is in Nashville and I live 2 hours from there. Will it be a rough ride home?? I can not wear socks or shoes either. And now the symptoms of RSD are starting in my hands. Mainly the right hand but some in the left too. My pain meds are not working and I had a bad reaction to neurontin and lamictol. Not sure what to tell my doctor today about my hands acting up and my meds not working. But, I am and will have a positive attitude...fingers crossed.:hug: Karen