Stellate Ganglion block Question
 

I had my second stellate ganglion block yesterday. The 1st was a diagnositc performed several months back at a different facility and by a different anes. than yesterdays.

At the 1st place, they covered my face with a lead apron shield. Not so at the new one.

Today I have what seems to be a sunburn on my face, neck and chest area that were exposed to the radiation. Anyone else experience anything similar to this?

Thanks,
Cala

Hi Cala,

I have had numerous Stellate Gangliuon blocks by a specialist Anaesthetist/Pain Management Doctor and a radiographer. I have never had a lead shield put onto my face.
I honestly don't see what made the first person use one, it is very, very unusual and really not necessary as the amount of radiation from fluroscopy is negligable.
The redness on your face and chest is very unlikely to be from radiation but perhaps the vasodilating effect of the nerve block.
I am sure it will settle down, if not perhaps ask what antiseptic was used to wash you down before the procedure as it could be a reaction to that:confused:
Wishing you luck, please keep us informed with what happens.
Tayla:hug:

Thank you both, for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I feel reassured in knowing that the lead apron was not used in for you either.

I do have a lot of allergies, so it could have been something along the lines of the aneseptic or possibly even something in the mixture of marcaine and cortocosteroids (sp?). I think she used clonodine also, not sure, I know she mentioned it.

Also, I understand the idea of the flushing from the epinephrine, but that much later???

Oh well, I'll see what the Dr. says today. I spoke with the oncall anes. on Sat. night. He offered to have me come to the E.R., but since I could breath and wasn't itchy, I decided to forgo the hour and then some ride to the city.

Thanks again ladies, :hug:

Cala

I didn't have any radioactive substances whatsoever in or around be during my blocks. I'd guess that they gave you the block under X-Ray so covered your face. I'd definitely investigate as it's not impossible to burn a patient in a modern hospital procedure.

Don't worry about it though. Even if it actually happened it probably won't have any lasting effects.

Were you under X-Ray or some sort of imaging equipment for the second injection?

I had 4 Stellate Ganglion Blocks several yrs ago for my Trigeminal Neuralgia. They didn't put anything over my face. I just remember being wide awake with my head tilted far back and being told not to swallow during the injection which was a combination of Lidocaine&Marcaine. One of the side effects they always looked for was that "drooping eyelid" to tell whether or not they'd gotten it into the right location...was no floroscope used during any of mine at that time. First one relieved 90% of my pain, second increased the pain about threefold. Third one relieved the pain again, fourth one increased it, after which the pain management dr. which performed them said that he wouldn't do any further ones since I didn't seem to have an actual "trigger spot" with my pain. By the way, I shall not mention where they were done, but it IS a world known facility and they did not cover my face with anything as a precaution so I too wonder if that was really necessary.

i have stellate blocks once a week and have never had lead. my doc does use floro. the nurses and the doc always wear lead but they do so because they are in the room around the x ray radiation for hours (my mom is an iv sedation nurse).
in all of my sgb i have had the red flush thing once...the doc tried a different mix of meds and i was allergic to one of them. i took some benadryl and the itchiness and redness subsided, the next block we went back to the old mix.
i hope things work out

Thanks!
 

I appreciate your responses!

I am glad to hear it's not unusual to not have the lead apron used! My first S.G.B. was at a teaching institute, also well known, but possibly, the lead apron was used by an over zealous student?? Or maybe, to keep me from being nervous by not allowing me to see? They treated it like it was a regular surgery; I was fully draped, and had my hands and ankles secured (not a pleasant adventure!). I had the droopy eye lid, and a squeaky voice. My throat was sore for a week!

The second was very different, no drapes, no tie downs. Much easier, all the way around, no droopy eye lid, no sore throat or squeaky voice. However, this one seems to be far more effective than the first. Much more relief (so far) this go around.

Also, I asked my Dr. about the redness in my face and the horrible burning feelings, and she said it was from the steroid she'd used. She said it wasn't anything to be concerned about. (YAY!!) I am set for another block in 3 weeks.

It's interesting, the different views on the frequency of the blocks. This is probably something for a new thread here, but I wonder why my personal Insurance company, (W.C. Paid for the first block) will only do them once every 3 weeks, and the teaching hospital wanted to do them weekly? ( P.S. -W.C won't pay for more, only agreed to the diagnostic, go figure!)

Thanks again, and if anyone knows why there are differing views on how often they will do the block, I'd appreciate knowing why.

Take Care All,

Cala

Hi Cayla,
 

I had 3 SGB's and on the 3rd one I believe I had a panic attack after I woke from having it. They did work though. I had the droopy eye and my voice sounded like Donald Duck. I was thinking the other day about how my brother use to talk like Donald Duck for me and I never could learn to do it. I should have called him that day when I sounded that way. He would have had a good laugh over it. Only thing was I came home and slept it all off.

I have insurance that so far has paid for about everything I have had done so I have been blessed there so what the Dr. had planned was a block every week for 16 weeks. I only made it through 3 as I said. I had a great Anesteolgist though, at least I think so. LOL He hooked me up to IV and I was knocked out for it. If he told me he was going to stick that needle in my neck while I was a wake I would have really objected.

I have had blocks before all of the surgeries I have had since I developed RSD except one and the hospital I was at didn't do them at the time. I now have RSD in my pelvic area. I swear by the blocks. I do believe they can help a lot of people if they give them a chance. As someone said, it could be allergies to the meds they use when they do make a person have a side effect from them. When I had my 2nd rotator cuff surgery, the Dr. came at me with that needle for the block and I ask him if he was going to do that while I was awake. He was like 12 inches from me. He said no I would be out. I couldn't believe I was out that fast.

I think as someone said, insurance is the key factor in wheather a person gets blocks or how often. Also Drs., I think some see RSD as a big money making illness and thrive on it by not trying to get a person into remission. I was amazed at how many people around here I have met with RSD that hadn't had any blocks for RSD. I do believe in them and that they can help a lot of people with RSD.

Good luck on yours and I do hope they help put your RSD into remission.

Ada

[QUOTE=Caladium;168099]I appreciate your responses!

I am glad to hear it's not unusual to not have the lead apron used! My first S.G.B. was at a teaching institute, also well known, but possibly, the lead apron was used by an over zealous student?? Or maybe, to keep me from being nervous by not allowing me to see? They treated it like it was a regular surgery; I was fully draped, and had my hands and ankles secured (not a pleasant adventure!). I had the droopy eye lid, and a squeaky voice. My throat was sore for a week!


OMG Caladium,
This treatment sounds appalling:eek: They secured your hands and feet??

I am very glad you are not going back to this establishment for anymore SGB'S. They are very out of touch.

Love Tayla:hug: