back pain after nerve block
 

Ok, team......I have avoided asking this.....I would prefer to remain in denial (kind of) but I have a question. I had my first sympathetic nerve block in my back on Friday. I was amazed that my back did not hurt at all afterwards. Beginning Saturday evening, I started noticing twinges in my back in the area of my injection. It came and went until today, when I notice it any time I try to bend over or move around. It aches slightly while I'm lying down (nothing severe.....feels like "nerve pain".....like a mild version of when you bump your funny bone).

My GP looked at the injection site today......said it looked fine (but I had broken out in a rash where the bandaid had been). Has anyone else experienced this days after a block??? I am probably being paranoid but I'm scared the RSD is spreading to my injection site. I'm supposed to have my second nerve block Wednesday. There is no redness (except where the bandaid was) and I can't tell if it's hot or not (I feel kind of flushed all over.....been hot/cold all day). Please someone tell me I'm worried for nothing!!:smileypray:

:hug:
The injection site is probably just healing. Like it would after any injection or shot. :hug:

Oh.....thank you!!! I have worked myself into a severe migraine I've been so upset today. I've taken every med known to man and it will not go away. I pray for sleep very, very soon. How many of these blocks have you had??? Thanks again!!!:Zzzz:

Mom in Pain

Afterm my lumbar sympathetic block I was in a lot of pain for about a week. I could hardly move and felt as though I had been trampled by a herd of horses!! In the UK they are much less inclined to give sedation for this procedure - I had none at all - just the local anaesthetic injected at the site of the injection. Although the needle doesn't enter the spine so its not as invasive and painful as an epidural or lumbar puncture, it still passes through a lot of muscles and other soft tissue so you can expect it to be pretty painful afterwards. I'd keep an eye though and let your doc know if you feel unhappy about the healing process.

I have had an epidural before and I too got back pain afterwards. I still have pain in the lower back area and after speaking to my, Pain MAnagement Doctor, he said I could have something called 'Remembered Pain' which is where the nerves can still remember how it felt whilst having the epidural. When my mum had me, she had an epidural also and has the same type of pain as me. My doctor said it's quite a common complaint after epidural etc. I hope you feel better soon and I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

Thank you, hon!! I actually DO feel better today (emotionally and physically). My back isn't twinging like it was......just in time for my second injection tomorrow!! I've had some nasty headaches, but I've always had those so it's nothing new. I'll mention it all to him tomorrow but I feel certain you were all right and that it's nothing to be concerned about. I DO think the injection has helped.....a little......I'm curious to see how I do after this second one!! I'll take baby steps on my way to recovery or mobility if I need to!!!

I'm sorry I never wrote you back after your last reply to me. I meant to, got really tired the other night, and then fell apart yesterday and wasn't in the position to talk to anyone. You are such a sweetie and I appreciate all your input on this forum!!

Holy cow!!! No sedation??? That is horrible. I was pretty much OUT of it......I am hyper so they dosed me up really well. The only thing I remember was that liquid acid fire they injected into my IV (AFTER they gave me the drowsy meds, I may add.....a rude awakening with some pretty colorful explicatives on my part). I would imagine that would make you hurt WORSE......being tense and awake while the needle went in. I'm so sorry for you. Did you have more than one??? How long did they wait for your second???

I thought it was MORE invasive than an epidural (or at least more risky) because it was going straight into the ganglion root??? I have no idea......I'm just glad I was out for it.

My second injection is tomorrow. I hope it works. My symptoms seem to be coming back more than I realized they had gone. I SWEAR my cute little toes have gotten bigger on that foot. :(

To be honest the sympathetic block was no hassle at all - I honestly don't know what the fuss is about!

It doesn't enter any joints so it is nothing more than an intra-muscular injection albeit with a very long needle. It is certainly much less invasive than an epidural and the risks are considerably lower.

There was no sedation, just a local anaesthetic injected where the needle went in - this means there can be no pain. As the needle is pushed further in, the anaesthetist puts more local down the needle each time you can start to feel it. This is normal in the UK - honestly, sedation is totally unnecessary for the vast majority of people. Some countries like the US and France are much more pro-drugs. They had to do mine twice because the needle was in slightly the wrong place but it made no difference - once the area has been anaesthetised then you feel nothing but a bit of pressure.

I only had one block. It made no difference to my pain levels so I got no useful therapeutic outcome (as with many people) but it did confirm the CRPS diagnosis so there was no point in repeating the procedure. I think they are much more gung-ho about repeating these blocks over and over again in the US than they are in the UK. The view here is that it is also a bit pointless to do them as close together as yours are because it gives no time for the block to settle and no opportunity to see what happens therapeutically over a few weeks.

I think sometimes doctors repeat these over and over because they can't think of anything else to do/try. Patients go through with that because they are scared and want to feel that the doc is "doing something".

A lot of people get no benefit whatsover from the blocks so I'd urge you to take stock after tomorrow's block and really think about whether you are getting any therapeutic benefit for your pain and other symptoms. There are plenty of people who have all sorts of horror stories from repeated pointless blocks.

Good luck anyway.

Talk through with your doctor his true reason for doing these blocks and for doing them so close together so that you are absolutely sure that it makes sense if he suggests any more.

Gymjunkie,

I've had one SGB and even though I was partially sedated it was horribly painful. The needle was injected through the exact middle of my neck until it reached my cervical spine at C6, piercing my esaphagus, windpipe, and whatever else was in its path. I was unable to eat or drink for many hours afterwards because my throat kept spasming. I am not looking forward to my 2nd vlock, which is scheduled for tomorrow.

When you say that your SNB was not successful yet rendered a positive diagnosis of RSD, what do you mean? I thought the terms "unsuccessful" and "positive dx of RSD" could not be mutually exclusive.

thanks for your explanation - I am still learning - Sandy

Gymjunkie,
I've had a bit of improvement in the amount of allodynia since my first block. I'm not looking for radical improvment.......ANYTHING would be appreciated. I look at them as stepping stones. If each one settles the sympathetic nervous system a bit more, it could potentially put me into "remission". I've read several articles (albeit, by US docs) that indicate that aggressive blocks in someone who has JUST gotten RSD (I've only had it a month) has the best prognosis. How long into your disease did you get your block??? I'm so sorry it didn't work for you.

I am, and always have been, an extremely anxious person. I have actually passed out cold getting an epidural injection for back pain while lying on my stomach (apparently, not easy to do). I also tend to tense up when I'm nervous or anxious, so sedating me is wise in my case. Part of what exacerbates RSD is stress, so being calm and relaxed during the injection is most beneficial.

I guess each person is different. I would be petrified to have the injection without sedation......I'm glad my doc gives me that option. I get Novocaine when I have a filling done and I had epidurals with each of my kids. I figure I'm in enough pain already.....I don't need to prove anything to anyone.

He's going to do two more next week and then reevaluate. If I show no more improvement (or very little) he won't do more. If it helps further, he will do up to 8 and then stop. I feel comfortable with this course of action and hope beyond hope that this makes my pain more tolerable and gives me back more mobility.

I appreciate your input and response!! I hope they find another course of action that will reduce your pain levels.

I'm praying for you!
 

Mominpain,
Back in the day LOL, we got 10 blocks, 1 a day for ten days in a row. They gave me Verset(sp?), which I was very thankful for. I had stelate ganglion blocks, so they were in my neck. I did get relief. As I have said before it was a vacation for a while from the pain. I have also read of great results from blocks. I think treatment is very individual. I am thankful you are getting some relief.
Do you know how happy we will all be hear you get good results from the blocks? You are off to a good start with some improvement. I'm praying that you continue to see results that favor healing. Keep open and positive. You have a great attitude and I'm sure it will carry you through to the final results. Here's to your recovery! You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Love Di

Hi Diana and MominPainRSD,

I feel the same way about both of you. You are both such positive, kind, and compassionate friends, always trying to encourage others. I know you have both helped me in a positive way.
I do hope today's block goes so well with you. I think I mentioned to you that my Doc feels me being on an anti=anxiety med, Lorazepam 2 mg. 3xday is a good thing to keep my sympathetic system calm. Have either of you ever been to a biofeedback clinic?
I attended a class at one of the local hospitals. It's a wonderful way, without use of meds to learn our bodies responses to stress etc. and learn different ways to relax different parts of our bodies. That was about 25 years ago and I still use the technique.
Hope your dives are going well Diana. My Dr. is getting a two person chamber for each of his two new clinics. I'm looking forward to trying HBOT in a month or two.
I'm about a week away from going off Lyrica. If I don't have any spams, jolts, jerks, etc. I'll be very grateful. It's been a very slow process in going down on dose amount.
MominPain, please let us know as soon as your up to it, how today's block went.
Thinking of you and Diana always, Loretta

You ladies are such sweethearts!! I cannot tell you how much it means to me to have people that care about me! This forum has been such a wonderful support to me!!

I DO think this injection has helped! I just PULLED my sock on my foot without thinking about it! The ants have quit biting my toes and my foot doesn't "feel" cold to me!! I am actually lying in bed with the covers on it moving my toes around!!! My ankle is still stiff and swollen but I will work with it tomorrow with PT and epsom salts.

I was SO sick yesterday, however. I feel almost like I'm going through chemo (PLEASE forgive me to anyone out there that HAS gone through chemo......I'm sure I cannot even imagine how that feels). I get so sick from these injections and have an allergic reaction to something they give me. I break out in this horrible red, itchy rash every time, despite them having given me a "buttload" (as the nurse said) of Benadryl in my IV. The doc is not concerned about it since I'm not having trouble breathing as well. It's still a pain and miserable. I wasn't able to eat anything yesterday but some dry Cheerios because of the nausea...so I feel weak and dizzy now. PLUS, he started me on Lyrica last night. I am very, very sensitive to meds and have a really hard time adjusting to changes with them.

I've also been put on Skelaxin during the day to help with the tremors and twitching (which drive me nuts). I've only taken one dose so far so I don't know yet how it will help. They told me it wouldn't make me sleepy like the Flexeril does (which I take at night). I HATE that "drugged" feeling. That is primarily why I deal with the pain as much as I can during the day with Advil. They offered me Percocet and I declined.

That all being said, I have a question to all on Lyrica. The med info says that I cannot drink any alcohol on that med. I enjoy a nice glass of Cabernet or Merlot in the evening sometimes.....especially if it's been a particularly stressful or painful day. Do I have to completely stop that???

I cannot remember whether I posted anything about my injection yesterday or not. They had me on SO much stuff......I remember little and was SO sick all day. Get this......the hospital I went to (a different one from the last time) had NO numbing meds for the IV. No topical, no injection. They poked me THREE times with the IV needle before they could get one in. I was livid. I told the doc point blank that he needed to make sure that numbing meds were available to me before my next injection at that hospital (next Wednesday). I was still tense and upset (and about to pass out) about the IV when 2 minutes later they walked me into the room for my injection. I was wide awake for the whole thing this time.....remember and felt the whole darn procedure. Holy cow they go in deep!! I told him I want more meds the next time.

My foot turned blue and purple afterwards but the temperature went up in that foot and he saw it and said that was a good sign of increased blood flow!!! I really think these are working for me!!!! I'm wiggling my foot around and have very little pain (of course, I did just take a Vicodin a while ago.....they said no Advil for 24 hours after).

So, I am excited to keep you all posted. I can tell you one thing......I feel totally connected and compassionate for everyone that suffers from this disease. I want to educate myself as much as possible and do anything I can to educate others as well. I've even sent an email to a former friend, whom I've had a falling out with, who is a teaching nurse at a local University, telling her about the disease and imploring her to research and speak about it with her nursing colleagues and students. I will forever do whatever I can to raise awareness and support for us!! I actually believe this is one of my callings in life.

Best wishes to everyone! I hope you all are sleeping peacefully! I find myself wide awake at 3:40am after going to bed at 8 last night.....but hopefully I can grab a nap sometime. Take care!!!

Hi I just joined and I'm not sure how to post on here I have a question I just had 6 nerve blocks and I have some questions to see if people have experienced anything I have

Go to the top of the main page and hit new thread. That will allow you to introduce yourself and ask questions or make comments about your situation. Looking forward to meeting you ~mama mac