I had my ganglion neck block
 

Hi everyone.
Well, I had my neck block and it wore off(the pain) in 5 hrs)!! I go for 2 more on May 8th. and May 15th. I thought this block would last longer!!! how long does it take?? will the 2nd and last block help?? thanks! Desi p.s. I am so hoarse and I have bruising and pain from the injection site!! :0(

Hi Desi--Well, everyone responds a little differently to the blocks, but don't get discouraged!

In my case, I found the first block wore off pretty rapidly as well. The second block lasted longer, and the third block even LONGER. It was as if each block "boosted" the effects of subsequent blocks.

It was explained to me that the pain that came back (which really felt worse than it did originally) , was "re-bound pain". I found that I did not experience this phenomena as badly with the subseqquent blocks.

It is really very fortunate that you have a Doc who is ON TOP of things, Desi, particularly getting you scheduled so promptly for the series of three blocks.

I am curious--did your Doc discuss with you having Physical Therapy in conjuntion with your nerve blocks?

The reason I ask is that my Doc has always told me how very important it is do do my exercises after the blocks, and to take advantage of the pain reduction from the blocks. I have found that doing my exercises has really helped keep the swelling and stiffness down. However, my case might be diffferent from yours.

Oh-- re the hoarsness, etc--I found that this resolves totally within about 12 hours, and the neck pain from the injection should feel MUCH better by tomorrow. I use ice on my neck, which helps (no RSD THERE, thank goodness!)

In either event, I hope that the next nerve blocks really help get that RSD under control for you, Desi!!:hug:

Most Sincerely,

Brokenwings

Thanks for the "fast reply" broken wings!! yes, I had PT before the nerve blocks.. and I hurt so much after, that my surgeon that did the carpal tunnal said no more!! I had 6 of them. you guys really give me hope, and for that I thank you!! Love, Desi:hug:

Hi Desi,
RSD in my hands is the secondary areas for me. It first hit my feet. I am almost done with rounds of SGB's, a series of 6 on each side that was started in Jan. We had to reschedule a few times. I have 2 more to go on the left side. I have only had the aching neck I think twice during all that I have had this year so far. And I have only had a drooping eye-lid maybe 3 times total this year also. Have had the hoarseness when talkiing alot from them.

I had to go thru this series last year also. These SGB's seem to help keep the symptoms in check for me for quite a long time. I am going to try doing LSB's for my feet next. Seems like my whole year gets messed up with either SGB's or LSB's. Last year I ended up with major back repair surgery so no LSB's that year.

You hang in there ok??? Hoping they all work together to make it less painful for you.

DebbyV

Hi Debby!
Thanks for writing back!! girl, you have been through a lot!! gosh! I went to my Dr.(pain Dr. that did the block) this evening and he ordered me Gabapentin 100 mg. He wants me to take this at bedtime(2 pills)??? 2 weeks ago I was on Lyrica and OMG That did not agree with me at all!! I hope this pill is nothing like that!! I also have vicodin es and percocetts that make me sick, so, I don't take these unless absoutly necessary! Desi:)

Hey

Sorry it didn't work for longer!! I have had a couple of SGB's... but didn't make much difference for me - but hey.. Lots of people on here have found them useful though!

Just wanted to say I'm thinking of you and I hope the next lot help more!

Love

Froggsy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thank you froggsy!! I hope the next block helps and then the last one on May 15th. my surgical Dr. said he may even send me to Cleveland clinic as a patient for a few days on I.V.'s! don't know if I wanna go there?? hmmmmmmmmmm?? :cool: Desi

Glad your okay Desi!
 

A question though...I'm being a real whimp about scheduling my block...[cervical as well] on top of it, it can only be done on a Monday...I work, and then have a class on Monday...[it's never easy is it]
A question for you, if you don't mind...how'd you feel afterwards? I've had facets injections and was in a lot of pain the next day. I was already told that I can't go to my night class...am trying to figure out whether or not I can work the next day. [I'm a teacher, and therefore have to plan ahead.] The doc's and nurses are all well and good, but I sure would like to know some first hand info.
Thanks!


Today I count the blessing that the sun is shining, and my kids are healthy!:hug:

Hey Desi,

What are they planning on giving you via IV? In the UK we have infusions of permidronate.

Love

Frogga xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey there!! I was a huge whimp.. LOL I went, had it done and I was not allowed to drive after the block for 24 hrs. my Dr. gave me 1 mg. of xanax before the block yesterday. I felt good, but the pain came back in 5 hrs. Just ask your Dr. if you can go to your night class! everyone is different. my block had no effect on my impairment. the blocks are done so fast.. it's like?? your done in a second! I couldn't believe when my Dr. said;"ok, the block's done"! Good luck and let me know how go's!! Desi:D (P.S. if I thought the pain from the block was so bad, I wouldn't have the other two neck (ganglion blocks) I'm having May 8th. and May 15th.):)

Hey Frogga.. the reason(If I go to Cleveland Clinic) is for different medications they wanna try, plus tests.. etc. maybe surgery?? I don't know?? :cool:

Hey, Frogga, I am curious.. what is Permidronate?:

Hi Countblessings
 

I wanted to tell you that the day following my Stellate Ganglion Block I felt pretty good... My discomfort and pain returned about 22 hours after my block. I'm not able to work now, but as far as the block is concerned, I really don't think I would have had a problem working the next day as long as I didn't overdue anything. As far as going to school the night following your block. I would probably agree with your doc you probabley will want to take it easy afterwards... I would have to say I just wanted to veg on the couch and relax following mine.
:Good-Luck: ...
Dawn

Desi- I'll Keep my fingers crossed that your blocks last longer and longer each time...:Good-Luck:

Thank you Dawn!!!! :D

I end up sleeping that day & half of the next. The next day I can stay awake if I need to do so, and have had to do so, but I am tired. BUT then I also take 1200 mg of gabepentin (Neurontin) & 50 mgs of Lyrica every 8 hrs, on top of several other drugs that make one sleepy.

Sometimes if the burning is really bad as I have neuropathy really bad also in my feet & hands I take an extra 600 mgs of gabepentin 4 hrs into the 8 hrs. My PM doc is good about letting me adjust my meds a bit when needed. Of course I have cleared it with him before doing so also.

DebbyV

Wow, Debby.. 1200 mg of gabepetin?? I would be on my face!!:D That 75 mg. of Lyrica made me like a zombie, but I guess everyone is different. I wish you all the best Debby! I go have my 2nd. block this Tues. I hope this one lasts longer!! So far the 200 mg. of gabepentin I take before bed helps me so much!! I am going to ask my Dr. if I can take anymore of it during the day, as soon as I get up in the morning, it wears off. well Happy week end friend's.. I hope you all have a pain free day and my prayers and thoughts are with each and every one of you!! Love, Desi:grouphug:

desi,

someitmes the reason u can't do anything after a block is because of the sedation they use....i've had blocks without sedation (i actually prefer it that way) and could have done just about anything afterwards....i'm not a hero, i just hate the drunk feeling from sedatives and i tend to over-react to them anyway, so my doc is willing to let me keep myself calm with breathing exercises.

hope this helps.

hi desi,
hope things are going well with the block and as for the gaba [aka neurontin], i take 400 mg three times a day and could not live without it. i have tried less and i have tried more, but with less i hurt and with more i am spaced out so that is the does for me. it is also the recommended dose for rsd in much i have read. joan

Hi ya Joan!! My sister takes Lyrica75 mg. 3 times a day and she has never had a problem with it. I still have 29 of them left, as I took one (and only 1)and slept for a day and a half!! so not like me!:D So, I will give her the rest on Sunday. I went up to the Er this evening as my shoulder was on fire and the pain was like an ice pick being driven through it!!:mad: and the Dr. there said RSD only spreads from where you had your carpal tunnal surgery to the middle of your arm!! I'm like er.. ya.. ok!! she was in such a hurry. most of the Dr.'s don't even know what their talking about. she gave me a toradol shot.. took x-rays.the shot didn't even phase my pain!! so, I'm taking the neurton and will get my 2nd. block this coming Tues. thanks so much for writing me back!!:)

I have had RSD since a car accident in sept. '06. The doc's were in complete denial. My PT and Chiro are the ones who found it and yet the PM doc still did not beleave it. I had an IME done for the insurance company done in Jan.'07. He said it was RSD, then the PM doc decided to send me to a spine specialist for the nerve blocks. I have it in the whole left upper extremity, PT made it worse. As far as the nerve blocks the first one lasted 3 days was wonderful, but when it wore off, I was not ready for that, 2 days totally down. The next 2 did nothing except make the pain worse.
any advice all the nerve meds made me sick.
Michelle

Hi Desi,

Debby's dose is about the lowest recommended dose - the recommended amounts of pregabelin and gabapentin prescribed per day (how many mgs, how many times a day) are very different, partly because lyrica stays in the body a bit longer than neurontin, but also because all pharmaceuticals are compounded differently :)

"Pregabalin and Gabapentin for Neuropathic Pain and CRPS/RSD"
http://www.rsds.org/3/treatment/stac...gabapentin.htm

Here are some snippets from the above paper:

Pregabalin (Lyrica) Because of its longer half-life, pregabalin can be dosed on a twice a day schedule.......The range of effective doses is 150 to 600mg per day.

Gabapentin (Neurontin) ...titrate slowly up to an effective dose, which is roughly 1,200 to 3,600 mg per day.....Gabapentin is dosed three times a day....

Anyway, take a look - there's lots on the net about this,
all the best :)

Hey,Brokenwings,

I just joined yesterday. I'm (Broken Wings). I've been clicking around and it reads like we may have a lot in common. Not too familiar how to get around on this site, but learning. I've been suffering with TOC with scalene inovlvement and herniations and bulges in my neck and other issues since October 2000. my ganglion blocks were not too effective. I actually had an adverse outcome. Thank God it did wear off quickly for me. My cervical epidurals X3 were effective, though. It's a fickle thing what works and what don't.

Later,
(Broken Wings)

Hello Broken Wings! This is the "other Brokenwings"-- And to all, Ihave not been on the Forum lately due to RSD flares, FIRE ecavuation, which evidently is "nopt a good thing" with RSD...

Broken Wings, I do not think I have TOS or cervical problems like you have (knock on wood), but PAIN is just PAIN, and when it is NERVE pain, it is just awful!! I would much rather have a broken LEG!!! (ehich I HAVE had, and THAT was a "piece of cake" conpared to this RSD....

In ither event, WELCOME to the Forums! You will find that this site has so many, wonderful, sharing posters who will be very supportive! It is a TRUE blessing to be in the company of others who ALL share and UNDERSTAND what we live with on a day-today-basis.

I'll try and post mpre frequently, but gotta watch not to "over-do it", if you kmow what I mean. i HOP{E to get a Dragon program within the next couple of months, whic should make the posting/typing process a whole lot easier and reduce the flare-ups.

In His Hands--THnaks so very much for your p.m....I sent you a reply.

Frogga--WOW! a COTTAGE AND a GARDEN!!! Now, THAT jsut ROCKS!!!

I truly hope everyone else is doing WELL! :grouphug: SUMMER--YAY!!!! :D :D Surely is SO much better than dreary, COLD winter!!:mad:

Most Sincerely,

The Other Brokenwings