Bier Blocks
 

I had my first last week, as the SGB's did not work at all for me. Despite being very apprehensive, I decided to have it done. Well it worked, and for the first time in over 4 years, I was effectively pain free. The downside now is that it has only lasted 4 days, and it's wearing off with a vengence :(
The hospital only apparently do this procedure every 2 weeks.
Has anybody else had this procedure, and if so was it effective and for how long?
I am so disappointed :(

Hi Mermaid,
 

I had m SGB's weekly. They were going to do a series of 16 but I had a panic attack on the 3rd one. They did help a lot though.

You might want to find an Anesteologist that has his own office where he does blocks.

Also a PM Dr. does blocks, you might want to try one if you haven't gotten one already.

Ada

Bier Blocks Work!
 

I had a series of 3 Bier Blocks-may go back for more but currently working with a new treatment of cold laser therapy.
But ya asked so I'll say it depends on the experience of the doctor & the combinations of meds used. My doctor great and always evaluating my response and 'tweaking' the next procedure to maximize results.
First one good but did not last, 2nd one not as good and did not last, 3rd one fantastic and lasted quite a while and we are prepared w/slight change for next round should we go on.
Don't give up but be sure your doctor involves you in the results. You need to identify EVERYTHING to help the doctor know what is and isn't working.
Good luck!

Thanks for replys and the encouragement regarding the blocks. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens next. I was just expecting the bier block to work longer as it kinda felt like a magic bullet after 4 years, but as you suggest Beverly maybe it's a question of tweaking. I do trust this doc, so I guess I'm half way over the hurdle. I guess I shouldn't be so impatient.
Thanks again to you both.

i think that it all has to do with tweaking because we are all so differnt and what works for one wont work for the other
im glad that you got a little relife tho

carrie

my first bier block left me pretty much pain free for about 3 months. the second one didn't work at all... then it was back to the drawing boards and medications...

They didn't help me at all. I don't know why I even got the second.

I was really looking forward to the first one and had high hopes it would be a total cure.

Beverly Blvd- How is the Cold Laser doing?
 

I have looked into it before... it is a very alternative form of medicine but I have been curious as to if it works for you and if so, where is the root of your nerve damage? I'd love to hear more.

Well I've had my third block today, and if it has not helped at all.
The doctor did talk about sympathetically independant pain, but I am so confused, because the block helped so much the first time, whereas the SGB did not help at all. Also the first block I tolerated really well, but the last two (Guanethidine) have made me feel so sickly and with almighty headaches that last into the next day, plus I have no energy. Any insight appreciated.

It's the progression of how rsd goes in the nervous system. At some point, and it's different for everyone, the pain goes from SMP, sympathetically maintained pain to SIP, sympathetically independent pain. SMP does react to blocks and will have some pain relief. At the point it goes to SIP, blocks will no longer work. The longer you have rsd, it's really just a matter of time until it goes SIP.

It's different with everyone though which I why I believe no one can find effective treatment. We all have different symptoms, spread, osteo, etc. I know my pain went sip within a few months. I was full body in 11 months and a little over a year into it, work comp made me get a block. It didn't help at all and actually threw me into a 20+ pain level flare for 2 months! :-O That wasn't fun at all. lol I also had 2 bone scans in the first year and a half, both came back normal, no osteo at all. I had thought since I was full body at the 2nd it would show but nope, bones were just fine. Some will show severe osteo after only 2-3 months after getting rsd and others, like me, years into it have none.

I'm so sorry it didn't work for you. I hope my words helped explain it a bit.

Big Hugs,

Karen