Need advice on nerve block decision.
 

Keeping this short as poss typing one handed, and sorry for spelling etc for the same.
I feel like my arm is is hell !!
I am in desperate need of advice because I am too depressed and on what feels my last leg.
Had nerve block before total shoulder replacement on feb 12, which I firmly believe was the root of my prob due to one particularly terrible sensations I was feeling at the time of the procedure.
3 days later I go home and start to feel this fire in the whole inside of my forearm that is still hurting just as bad today, mar 15.
Been complaining to my surg and my pain management dr, but not rly seen for an proper evaluation to date. They proceed to tell me I need to come down next friday for some kind of nerve block, and keep taking hydrocodone, which I have done under dr supervision for many years, but I have an appt with an actual neurologist a cpl weeks later on the 9th.
I am so damn scared now suddenly, of more nerve blocks. I am litterally having suicidal thoughts on a daily basis, and I can,t rem things like usual after surgeries for me, but not this long.
So, if anyone has an opinion about whether you would wait to be seen by a neurologist, or go try a nerve block that I have read don,t usually work, I would greatly appreciate it.
I,m on here for a while, because I can nvr sleep good now, so any advice asap is welcome and needed.
Thx a lot

Hi CaseyB
 

I had a good result from several Stellate Ganglion Blocks which I received to treat my CRPS in my left hand and forearm. It is important to have the blocks as soon as you can because if the problem is CRPS, the sooner you block the nerve signals and get your arm moving the better. Also from a diagnostic standpoint, knowing the outcome of the block is helpful for the neurologist. I know what it feels like to have constant excruciating pain, which is what I felt before the blocks. Proud of you for reaching out to this community of wonderful people who are here for you. You are not alone.

Hi Casey and welcome,
In my experience with nerve blocks they were used as a dx tool. They let my neurologist know which nerves were involved and then she tried different meds until there was relief.
(I,like you, is typing one handed!)
CRPS is a crappy monster to deal with for sure. I so wish for you to find releif.
We finally found a good med cocktail that works. In my case it's Gabapentin, Cymbalta and Amitryptaline. Cocktails very for each person so don't be affraid to experiment.
Even blocks work differently on different cases.
That's my humble opinion.
Good luck...

I would see a neurologist before getting anymore nerveblocks. You can always go back to the pain management dr for more nerveblocks if the neurologist okays it. I had nerveblocks from a pm dr before seeing a neurologist and wish I saw the neurologist first. She prescribed a more effective and less invasive way to help get me to get some movement in my hand and fingers with prednisone and lessen swelling of rsd a little. It helped alot more then the eight nerve blocks I had prior. They didn't do much at all for me except cost me more money and discomfort. Everyone's different, but this is what happened to me. I hope you find someone who can help you feel better soon.

Could it still be crps/rsd when missing some symptoms?
 

Had shoulder replacement right after a standard nerve block they did in the side of my neck, i think it resulted in injury to one of the brachial plexus.
Have not seen a neurologist yet, told surg and my pain dr about the strange experience during the shoulder/neck numbing block, yet they are insisting I have crps and want me to do some other nerve block this friday, and I have an appt with a neurologist on the 9th.

I don't know whether to do the nerve block, or wait to see the neurologist first, because I don,t have some of the symptoms of crps.
My skin feels normal temp, no visible swelling (tho it feels like it), and no discoloration that I can see.
My only symptoms are the intense burning from the bottom of my rt bicep all the way to my wrist, mostly just on the inside, which I think is the anti brachial nerve, and the right side of my neck is really sore.
The birning in my foerearm is 10x worse than my worst day with my bad shoulder even after surgery.
So, missing these symptoms....does that possibly erase the diagnosis?
Could this be type 2?
Could it simply be a very irritated nerve from the replacement block?

And if so, could a ganglion nerve block be suggested too soon?
And finally, what would you do in my shoes?
Have the nerve block first, or endure the pain and depression issues for a few weeks and let a neurologist advise you?

I'm sorry I posted almost the same but added a lot of questions because I'm kinda freaking out in my head from reading about all this new info,
and i'm having trouble thinking right and being able to correctly search the forums.
I just can't figure out in my mind what to do, and I have no family left or anyone else that I can talk to about this that has the slightest clue of how bad I feel.
Since '99 I have had 6 broken femur surg's, 2 disc repairs, 1 cervical fusion, left knee scope, rt shldr scope, rt elbow repair, and rt shoulder replacement a few weeks ago.

Hi CaseyB,
I merged your 2 threads together so replies and information is in a single place for you.
:)

You don't necessarily have to have all symptoms to have RSD. They also tend to vary between person to person. Some symptoms come and go as well.

Stellate ganglion blocks are a great diagnostic tool (as others stated). If the dr does a SGB and you have a favorable response to it, it can confirm your diagnosis of RSD/CRPS. Also, your best chances of them being successful is to get them early on. I was diagnosed with RSD 23 years ago in the right side of my face. I was treated very agressively with SGB's and medications and this put my into remission for many years. After I came out of remission and had new injuries, it spread. The first thing I wanted was SGB's! They were not as helpful that go around because it was too late for me. I highly recommend them because they helped me so much in the past! If you decide to go for it, you need to do it asap for best results. Just make sure you have someone very knowledgeable administering them.

You do not need to have all of the symptons to have RSD/CRPS.

Personally, neurologists did absolutely nothing for me.

Wishing you the best,
Nanc
:hug:

Casey I've never been seen by a neurologist either.
I have a great P.M. Dr. however & I've had over 20 Stellate Ganglion blocks
now. They're not the same as the total numbing blocks prior to surgery.
I had the best improvement with the first 3 then going immediately to P.T.
I didn't get remission but the signs of improvement also dx'd the RSD but
I had ALL the symptoms
If you can find a Dr. who uses ultrasound guidance instead of or in addition
to flouroscopy (X-ray). If you go to youtube theres videos to compare the
difference.
BTW I'm also in the 1 handed typing club :hug:

My opinion...if you aren't sure you want a nerve block...then don't get one until you are sure. Don't feel pressured into treatments you don't want. Blocks CAN be a tremendous help to some people but there are risks with them (as there are with ANY procedure). If you would feel more comfortable seeing the neurologist first then that is absolutely what you should do in my opinion.