Nerve Blocks...one down, five to go.
 

I had the first nerve block (SGB) done yesterday for the "mild RSD" in my hand/arm. I had no side effects, is that normal? I was expecting something. The pain went from a 6 to a 3 by the time I got to OT. It came back around 2am though. Felt like someone was stabbing me and cutting my arm open from my elbow to my finger tips. Next one tomorrow. I just found it strange that I didn't have any side effects, has that happened to anyone else? Guess I am also dissapointed it didn't last long.

i think that it is great you didnt have any side effects.. i didnt either when i had my blocks.. mine lasted not long either about a day, two, but when i took my meds i really noticed that i didnt hurt. you said you are having another one tormorrow? wow i bet your neck, back is sore? for me when they did mine in the lower back i could not lay on my back it hurt where they injected. good luck i really hope this helps you... take care michelle

I am a terrible baby - I find the SGBs very scary and painful. Plus we need to drive over an hour to get there so I am in always in a flare by the time we arrive, my head hurts badly and I'm nauseus (sp?). They have spaced mine 3 -4 weeks apart, although I just moved one up so that it will be only 17 days since the last one. Even though I get versed and now something else to calm my stomach, the procedure is still very painful for me and I still feel very sick afterwards. I've had 6 of them, I guess I should be getting over it, huh? The doctors and nurses couldn't be nicer, and my husband is very good about taking care of me, thank God.

Only the first couple of blocks gave me a lot of relief in my originally affected areas (shoulder, then my neck and head). I actually slept on my head after the first block for a night! Now the blocks help with the spreading symptoms, like the pain and burn and coldness in my hands and arms and legs and feet. And the face and neck rashes and burning. They seem to last about 10 days or so, them the symptoms slowly start to come back.

I am glad you are doing so well with yours, good luck. Sandy

We drive an hour and 15 min away too. I am happy it worked the first time but then again that confirms the RSD and I guess I hoped it wasn't. I feel better about getting them now though, anything to get rid of this pain. The color is more normal now too. The pain is back but not so bad as it was. I feel like maybe I will get my life back. Although now I feel like if we get it into remission I will have to look over my shoulder for this monster for the rest of my life. I was confused though about not getting side effects. I thought that was a sign it was succesful.

What kind of block?
 

What kind of block did you have? a brachial plexus side of neck or a Stellante ganglion front of neck? Where did you have it done what city? Where you given sedation?

i have had alot of these.. and the longest mine have lasted is 12 hrs and that was only one time.. usually 4-8hrs. and i get the horners eye with it. my new doc makes it so it only lat about 15 mintues . when i used to go to the other doc it was like all day with the stroke face and i couldnt stand it as a kid . but i also get sore throats with the SGB any one else?

blocks
 

Hang in there i have RSD in Both arms I have had 70 plus SGB in the front of neck will all side a fecks and i do not get secdated just make you have a good doctor doing them I have a great know and he is very good doing the injection good luck ( sorry for the spelling) have hard time because drug hurting bad today

4 down 2 to go
 

So now I have been through 4 stellate ganglion blocks with 2 more this wk. The first two I didn't get any of the side effects just less pain. The third I could not hear right, fuzzy. Really felt out of it and don't even remember therapy after. They made the pain less (from a 6 or 7 to a 3/4)and the constant burning was gone after the 2nd. After the 3rd, although the constant pain was much much less I was getting a stabbing pain. After the 4th I got the whole droopy face thing but the pain is now gone except for what I think are muscle spasms or cramps. They can be bad but are not constant. They range from small cramp like pains to my whole hand cramping up in a painful fist. My hand still has alot of swelling in my palm and got really big w/that mottling last night but not now. Just feels very weak and uncoordinated. I am still getting the tremors though. It seems that I start out pain free in the morning but by night time it goes up...not to what it was though. The dr talks that this is so mild (I'm sure it is when I hear how much pain some of you are in) but I get so frustrated because I thought I should be better by now.
My question though is shouldn't the swelling and tremors be going away too?? I thought the pain would stay away? The pain is down alot and the burning gone but I was really hoping this would put me in remission. BTW-I am on no meds, they wanted to see how the blocks worked out first.

Hi,
 

I'm glad the blocks are helping. That's a good sign. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones to go into remission.

I still have swelling and tremors at times so I don't know if they do go away with the blocks but it's been quite sometime since I had them

Don't overdo things either. That might help for the blocks to do better.

Ada

Yeah, I had them bilaterally in 2005ish. I just posted about Dr. Atasoy. It was outpatient at the Jewish Hospital in Louisville, KY.

At first it made my scalenes and shoulders and arms worse but it did give a little relief after a few days. Not much but I was in very bad shape then. Next was Botox to the scalenes. It helped quite a bit.

I was advised to have brachial plexus but yet can't find a doc in eastern KY that will do them. We have some pretty good docs here so that threw up a red flag for my anxiety. :D

They're all risky. Not adverse it them, though. You have to do what you have to do. :hug:

Dear Stressed,
 

I haven't experiences what you are going through, but I hope you find some relief for your pain soon. :hug: Take Care!

one more left...guess my expectations were high
 

So now I had the 5th block and again got the droopy eye and face, my whole arm was numb but pain free. That lasted about a day and a half and then I woke up with sharp pain from my shoulder down to my fingers. I am so afraid it is spreading as my shoulder has gotten aggravated during therapy a few times lately (therapist thinks because of favoring that arm for the past 6 months). That pain was about a 7. It is gone again now. My pain goes from almost nothing to maybe a 3 since starting the blocks. I still get the cramping though and that hurts and the tremors seem to be here to stay as well as the swelling. Sometimes I get burning but not as bad as before. My whole arm feels so weak but we are making progress in therapy...slowly. I guess I just expected it to all go away and give me my life back? I was depressed and miserable before because of the pain and now I am getting depressed because I think I am coming to the realization that my life will not be the same. I worry that I won't have my job or even be able to do my job. What do I do? Right now the pain isn't bad but my hand is swelling more and feels like I am holding it over a flame. In the morning it will probably be better. Is that typical?? The Dr talks about this being a mild case and to be positive because that has alot to do with it but I feel like I get relief and I'm feeling confident and then I get knocked back down on my (you know what).


Shouldn't the swelling and tremors be going away too?? I thought the pain would stay away? The pain is down alot and the burning gone except for the occasional burning feeling but I was really hoping this would put me in remission...so the dr said.

I've had 7 blocks, but they were spaced much further apart then yours. It usually took me a few days after a block to start feeling better. My blocks usually started to wear off after 10-14 days.

Do you take any meds for the burning/pain/depression/sleep? Most of us do have an assortment that helps with our symptoms that is periodically tinkered with as needed. If you are in a lot of pain ask your doc for some meds to help you with that, it can make a world of difference in your ability to cope!!

Take care and good luck, Sandy

Each of you deserve this
http://dl6.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...labh6wkmy7.jpg

for your bravery by going through these treatments. I am told, by PM doc, that the blocks would not help me.:hug:

I am not on any meds. The Dr had given me Tramadol before trying the blocks but it really didn't help. The next time I get alot of pain back I am going to try it again. The Dr also wanted me to see a psychologist but wc won't send me until after the blocks. I think I need one now and am waiting for a call back to see if I can go. I am not coping well right now. I have been sleeping better since the blocks have relieved some of my pain. I guess I am also one of those quiet, do as I am told people that is bad at advocating and standing up for myself. I am getting better but I guess I better do a better job. This all began with a little torn ligament, I just can't believe I am still living this nightmare.I wish I could wake up and it would all have been a bad dream.:(

Do you have a lawyer? I can't remember if we talked about this already?...

Do you have a personal care physician and private insurance? Use that to GET WHAT YOU NEED if you have to. It sounds like you need meds and a psych eval.

When I was diagnosed with RSD last year, and my first PM doc (who was a real idiot) was advocating a chiropractor and no blocks, I made an appt with a really good teaching hospital in Boston using my United Health Care card, and let my attorney straighten out the account later. I think 3 or 4 blocks were charged to my personal insurance. The bills were all later transferred to WC. I KNEW at the time that I needed better care. I didn't have a lot of support at the time from many other people (my PT was awesome) but sometimes your gut tells you when you have to get moving, and that was one of those times.

I just did the same thing this afternoon for an initial eval for ketamine infusion treatment at the Beth Israel in Boston. My adjuster at WC denied it, just as I figured she would, because she is truly an evil *itch and denies everything (I console myself with the thought that God must have very special plans for these people). I am surprised that she got around to denying it so quickly actually, when I tried to get into the Mass General last month she deliberately lost 5 faxes from them in a row over the course of a few days before she got around to denying it.

Don't hesitate to take care of yourself FIRST and let the $$ fall into place later. That is why you need an attorney - To advocate for your health since you readily admit that you have a problem doing it yourself. If you are in pain and depressed you need help. Get an attorney, and call your doctor.

Good luck, Sandy