I've had 3 blocks and given by 2 different Dr's in very different ways.

The 2nd Dr was very different and he concerned me, am I right to be concerned?

My husband was allowed to stay in room with me.

No blood pressure cuff was used. No relaxant or IV was used.

He asked me to lay on my stomach with a pillow under my hips. He washed my backside with a betadine wash. He injected a numbing medication in 3 different places.

He did not use a fluoroscope or CT or Sonogram to better pinpoint exactly where the needle was going, instead he blindly inserted 3 needles. As he inserted needle he asked when I felt like he hit my crazy bone to let him know.

When he inserted the long needle (3x's) he chanted a little prayer. He frequently apologized for hurting me.

He tapped on needles occasionally to look for bubbles. He said he had to look for spinal fluid in each needle, explaining spinal fluid was clear and the only way to tell if he hit the spinal nerve is by the bubbles, which will float to the top of the needle.

He then injected medicine for the block in each of the 3 long needles with a syringe. He told me he injected B-12 to heal my nerve.

He placed Band-Aids on each injection and told me I could get up.
After the procedure Dr Walsh instructed me to take am/pm 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, L-Argenine 500 mg and grape seed extract to improve blood flow.

He asked if I needed him to write a pain medication script. I said no. He said to call for an appt. when I needed another block.

I was led back to a chair outside the room and told to stay for 15 mins then was allowed to leave. I was given an instruction sheet for pain management postop.

This was much different from the first 2 Lumbar Sympathetic Block I received.

Dr used a fluoroscope was used, an IV was inserted a blood pressure cuff was used and I was wheeled into a sterile looking operating room. I was given a relaxation drug but I was awake.

The first two took 1/2 hour longer to do.

I had a side effect the first time of severe diarrhea. Dr said he adjusted where he inserted the needle. The side effect didn't re-occur the second time.

The first two Blocks I paid $150 co-pay ea as an outpatient. I was told this is because the hospital is outside the system.

The third block was $0 co-pay because it was at a surgery center within the system.

Can anyone let me know just what should happen? I am left to try to find a hospital approved to do the Lumbar blocks. I am beginning to think it's the lack of equipment that is the problem?

What should I do? I don't feel comfortable going back to the 3rd Dr. the first two blocks were fine but my HR person said I would have to pay $250 from now on. We asked if they would wave co-pay and they said no. Not even if they have no one in system to do.

So what do I do?

The 3 blocks have helped to chase it back down my leg to the foot. But the foot still swells and is sensitive and discolored.

My Orthopedic Dr prescribed 150 mg lyrica

Hi there,

I've had these nerve blocks done both ways too. Mostly they are done under sedation and with the fluoroscope and my vital signs always monitored. Mind you I'm also getting a healthy dose of ketamine mixed in with the sedation.

I guess it depends on what you are most comfortable with. Did you not have the opportunity to ask the 2nd doctor any questions about your procedure?

If he's able to give you blocks without the radiation it could be better in the long run but each way has it's benefits and risks and it really depends on what you are most comfortable with.

I'm having a series of these done right now and my 3rd will be next Tuesday with a different doctor from my usual guy who will be on a very well deserved vacation.

Welcome to the forum.

MsL

Hi Chacha and Welcome to Neurotalk,
How long have you had RSD? Your two procedures don't sound like they were given by top doctor. It's extremely important to have an experienced RSD Dr. preforming this procedure. I personally have not had this done, but read from others on this forum that have. I'm sure they will respond shortly.
What part of the country do you live? There are some top Doctors -Cleveland Clinic, Philly, California, Florida.
I don't even have by teeth cleaned without an anti-anxiety med to calm my sympathetic nervous system down. Prevention is crucial.
How long have you had RSD and where do you have it?Are you having physical therapy for your feet and legs? Desensitization?
Even though I was diagnosed with RSD for 4 years, My Dr. who preformed my surgery, I got frozen shoulder from it-started me on pt immediately. I also did massage therapy. It took a long time to get my shoulder back-I'm mobile completely with the exception of my hand is about 50%.
Hope the best for you, your friend, loretta with soft hugs

YIKES!!!

The thought of what you went through scares the crap out of me! I've had sympathetic nerve blocks. WHILE ASLEEP! I.V. meds to knock me out. Under X-Ray to guide the needle. BP cuff, monitors for my heart, etc. and a sterile environment...valium to relax me prior and an hour of recovery time. All left me feeling like I had been hit by a truck. No relief from them. (Doc says that my temperature of the leg and coloring are better). Now, I am a sissy when it comes to needles, so maybe I'm just paranoid (I've blown off appointments because I had to get stuck); but this seems a little barbaric! FIND A NEW DOCTOR! Anyone, please tell me that I'm very wrong...I want to believe that I am just a ninny and that this is acceptable....I just can't! Hope you have a better treatment next time.

Here is a very good educational site.

Scroll down to # 5 on the page to read about Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks.

There is a very good video of the standard LSB's being preformed by Dr. Kirkpatrick. (warning it's not for the faint of heart or those those who are squeamish of needles)

http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/en_c...uidelines.html

Personally I prefer to be fully sedated for the LSB procedure. My first was without and my doctor learned that he's get better results from full sedation with me.

When I had my peridural nerve block done in Germany it was done by sight and feel with just a little topical anesthetic. No sedation or fluoroscopy. I had to be brave but it was worth it though as they hooked it up to a continuous pump filled with anesthetic for a full week following a surgery to my rsd foot. It helped to prevent spread.

While I don't necessarily agree with the way the 2nd doctor did your LSB if that is in fact what he did, I think he gave you some good advice on what to take supplementally.

It's most important that you are comfortable with your doctor and the way that they choose to perform the procedure(s). I'm very sorry to hear that you are having issues with the insurance and co-pays and hope that doesn't stop you form getting it done the way that is best for you.

Wising you all well.
MsL

I have had numerous nerve blocks and they were all the complete opposite of what describe below. I think your biggest concern needs to be the fact that the doctor is not using an x-ray / CT machine monitor where he/she is placing the needle. If the doctor hits the wrong spot you could end up paralyzed or have bladder incontinence.
Also, your blood pressure needs to be monitored because it is a very painful procedure and this could cause you to have difficulty breathing. I was partially sedated every nerve block I had done, and I thought it still hurt like hell. The second one I had done, went really bad because they did not give me enough of the sedative and I had difficulty breathing. After that experience the doctor finally got the medicine dose right.
I think you need to find a better doctor as he doesn’t sound professional and also sounds like the doctor is taking a lot of unnecessary risks with you and your treatment. As for cost, I think each nerve block treatment was around $300.00. Good luck with everything and keep me posted. I know it maybe difficult to switch doctors but I would start with telling your current doctor all your concerns. If no resolution is met than ask him to refer you to someone else.