If you had nerve blocks done was it something you did soon after being diagnosed with RSD or after you tried many other things?

How sucessful was the nerve block? Anyone here had a nerve block and it either did wonders for you or it did absolutely nothing?

I understand that you can get multiple blocks done-- is it something you can't rule out until you've done so?

Thanks.

Hubby had sympathetic nerve blocks and Calcium channel blockers (he was severly burnt with acid and other chemicals) - At first they worked SUPER although he was quite numb and had to be brought home in a wheel chair. They eventually started working (time wise) less and less - After 26/27 of them and only working for about 12 hours they decided to discontinue - Also the Dr wanted him off them for a while.

I do have to say that they WORKED - As he was able to get through massage and regular RSD therapy and it seemed to help with mobility in the end.

Hubby does walk with a brace he has muscle loss/atrophy in his leg (it's 1/2 the size of the other) and will always need a brace for support - BUT over all his RSD is "managable" in his leg - he has good days and bad but he does not need the heavy meds required by some.

Right. I am not ruling anything out, just wondering about anyone else's experience, because I have heard/ read total opposite stories about nerve blocks.

Is the doggie in your avatar yours, Abasaki?

I have had 9 lumbar sympathetic blocks done over 3 months last winter/spring.

At first they helped alot it was so incredible to actualy shut the pain down for awhile.. they worked for just less than a week at first, but by the last one it was only helping for 6-8 hours so we quit doing them.

I had my first block done @ 9 months into RSD, I was told if I had started earlier that they mabie could have worked better and mabie shut down the dysfunctional activity in the sympathetic nervouse system (a remission or cure?)

We are told in the literature that if this procedure is done within the first 6 months that it's chance of successfuly beating this are much improved and that even having a few blocks done early on can muchly improve your prognosis later on.

This of cource is not your only treatment offered usualy it is a multidiciniplanary aproach including pysiotherapy, ocupational therapy, cognitive and pain management techniques.

However if you are not being sent for blocks at this time there is one thing that I feel can help you to try get a handle on this monster now, I presume that you are early into RSD though I strongly recomend it at all stages..

Move that leg/arm what ever is effected, gentle stretches, get yourself a routine and keep at it.. you have to keep it mobile gently and try not to over protect the area.

I know it sounds hard and i know it hurts bad but if you do not do this things will be so muchharder later, the more nornal your movements early on the better chance that you can be one of the lucky ones.. Thats not to say that we cannot even now beat this thing but your chances of it happening are better early on.

I have talked to a few who have beat RSD.. or into remission (time will tell)
2 that beat it within the first few months (2&4) with alot of physiotherapy, and 2 that have had a nerve entrapment release done, of the latter 2 one was done via surgery and one done via a chiropractor.

Now see I can't remember things too well lately but I was told too of a successful remission from blocks done early, by a friend of the lucky recipient.. it was upper blocks and she had been mostly pain free for over 6 months when I learned of her from my friend.

So there is hope folks dont ever give up..

I have another friend that just woke up one day and she was less almost all of her pain... she has had type 2 RSD for years and she has had to work hard, and still does to get mobility back, it has only been a few months and there is alot of residule twings and twangs but her pain is mostly gone.. she claims it was the gardening she does as therapy.

Remember to be gentle with yourself, RSD is like a child you have to be firm and consistant yeat loving and gentle. Expect that your child will have tempertantrums (flare ups) and not want you to move it as much as it needs.. and you will want to give in to her demands.. but stay strong and be gentle in all movements..

lol am I just going nuts or does this make sense?

be gentle with yourself in thoughts and movements and soft hugs all around friends.

sandra

HI VANESSA!

I don't know what kind of nerve blocks you are referring to. But I'll tell you what I learned through my experience.

About a year after my accident, before being diagnosed with RSD I had two cervical epidural for the pain in neck, shoulder, arm/hand, because an MRI found a slightly bulging disc at C5,C6. That helped but only temporarily.

Two years later, after they discovered I had RSD, I was sent back to the same PMD for Stellate Ganglion Blocks, which are specifically for RSD I believe. He said it would have been better for me to start the SGB's with the 1st 6 mos after the injury, but that he wanted to try it, even though it had been 3 years.

I was helped TREMENDOUSLY by them!! And the relief lasted a long time. At first it seemed my pain was totally gone. It slowly returned but it took a year for it to get back as bad as it had been. Maybe if I would have been given them early on it would have "cured" me....I'll never know.

But if they offer SGB's to you I encourage you to consider it!

(((hugs)))

DeniseG

I have had eight nerve blocks done. The first couple of them didn't seem to do much, but after a few they started to work. I think they really helped me.

In my research I have been reading some about nerve blocks... I've read that once your RSD has spread, that there is more SIP than SMP, and blocks aren't so sucessful. Any thoughts? Anyone?

Now that my RSD has spread to 3 other limbs (I have RSD in all 4 extremities) than the original sight... I am wondering if nerve blocks would even work?

Hey

I have had several nerve blocks, none of which have been succesful pain wise.

Stella Ganglion one in my neck to block both my arms --> increased temperature of my arms and a pinkness to replace the blackness but that was it - almost no pain relief.

Lumbar Sympathetic blocks: had 4 of these and 1st one led to my RSD developing in my left leg, second temporarily paralysed me, third REALLY hurt and fourth REALLY hurt (by then had RSD back as well).l

But many people I know have had brilliant success with them - so it is really dependent on the individual.

Take Care

Frogga xxxxx

Hello!!! I have had a total of 3 symathetic nerve blocks done....

The first one I was numb for about 7-8 hrs, helped ALOT with my pain... The second one I was numb for almost 24 hrs, helped MORE with my pain... The third one I had done a little over 3 wks ago, and I was numb for close to 30 hrs!!!!! I seen my Dr. for my follow-up appt 2 wks ago, and he said that I am in FULL remission with my RSD!!! Although, he still wants me to continue on my Neurontin and Lexapro untill I see him in 3 months!

I have been pain FREE for over 3 wks now!!! MY accident/incident was on July 22, 06... I was diagnosed with my RSD 1 month of July 22... I have had RSD for 6 months now...

The symathetic nerve blocks that I had done, helped me EXTREMELY!!! I am a firm believer in having these done.... I know that every person's body is different, with reactions ect... This is just my opinion!

I have the UPMOST respect for ALL my Drs, they are nothing but WONDERFUL!!!

Always,
-Heidi

Hi Vanessa,

My heart goes out to Frogga after reading about the bad experiences. I just wanted to add that it really is important that you have GOOD/EXPERIENCED doctors to do these types of blocks. That can make all the difference in the world. I'm not saying Frogga's doc wasn't good, because everyone's "system" is so different, and handle blocks differently.

I had 5 of them in a row (I wrote you about it), and I had such a good experience. They weren't painful. I was given "IV Sedation" & don't even remember it being done! But my RSD II pain improved dramatically (at times I thought it was totally gone) for a year.

Hope you're doing well! I'll pray for your wisdom & direction.

Denise