What should Expect?
 

I was diagnosed with CRPS on New Year's Eve (great way to start off the New Year) in my right foot/ankle. I fell in July, at work, and tore some ligaments and tendons in my ankle. This resulted in surgery in September. And eventually the dreaded diagnosis.

I have had 2 lumbar sympathetic blocks in the past 2 months. The first one was great my pain went down to a 5/10 and the temp of my foot went up 5 degrees. This last one was horrible! It took forever to get the needle in the right spot and after all that it didn't work.

I have an appointment with my pain doc next week but I don't know what to expect. What steps he may suggest? I guess I'm just a little scared because I was really counting on the blocks to work. I haven't been back to physical therapy since the first block and I am worried about how much I may have lost.

Also as far as meds I am taking Neurontin 4 times a day, Elavil at night and a coumpounding cream of ketamine, lido, and gabapentin. Even with the Elavil I am still not sleeping.

Any advice is welcome!

So sorry this has happened to you. I highly recommend gentle physical therapy. I did 12 months after my diagnosis. And if available, warm water aquatic therapy does lots of good. It is the reason I am able to walk today, even if I have to use a cane mostof the time.

Kris, over 3 mos. to get dx'd?
I'm not a medical professional I can only tell you my experience & mine
started in hand & arm so my nerve blocks are stellate ganglion in the neck.
My first one was a disaster, but then I found a P.M. Dr. who used xray &
ultrasound guidance for much better accuracy. I did research & found examples of the differences on youtube. I've now had over 22 done.
I would guess that pretty soon they may discuss a spinal cord stimulator (SCS)
with you. I did the trial for 5 days but did not get the permanent one.
I'd really suggest doing your homework on that first. There's a subforum at the top for that too.
Vitamin C, magnesium citrate & vit. D3 has also helped me reduce Rx meds.
Sorry, can't type very long, Hope this helps! :hug: