My thought is to talk to the pain docs about repeated blocks since the first temporarily helped. For some, there is an additive effect. The SCS is much more invasive with increased risks over the blocks...

Welcome!!

I'm sorry to hear your son is hurting so!!

I understand your sense of urgency in wanting your son's pain to ease and stop.

On a good note... it appears that in the big picture of RSD.. your son was diagnosed early. I know... it probably doesn't feel like it.

Early diagnosis and agressive treatment is a good thing!!!

Most doctors start treatment with nerve blocks...

As for the sympathetic blocks... The fact that the first one worked...even for a little while is a good sign!!!

Most doctors want to run a series of blocks... I'm sure the doctor wanting to do a second one is in hopes that it will last longer... and that each additional one will last longer providing more and more relief.

I believe this is probably why the doctor doesn't want to immediately jump into an invasive SCS procedure.

I can't remember who... but I do remember someone posting that the blocks worked for them and their pain was immensely relieved.

I wish your son and you the best!!!
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have... someone will always be along shortly to help you in any way we can...

There is a wealth of information on this forum.... please feel free to roam around.

Here is the link to our Useful Websites and links thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread247.html


Abbie

As mentioned above,,the dr;s ussually want to do a series of blocks,,if you son doesnt have an entrapment,there are documented cases where the blocks thru the RSD into remission,,that would be the best case scenerio,,,,and as abasaki mentioned ,the fact that he had a 6 month remission from one block is great,,it is normal protocol to run a series of them first,and i agree with the above advice,,you dont want your son to have a SCS only if absolutly necesary..the rule of thumb is,,if a person is still in smp and not progressed to sip and he or she gets good [the longer the better result will be] from the blocks,that they will then be a prime candadate for a SCS,,,,,,,but your son has everything going for him,,he;s young,,youve caught it early,,and he is responding well to the blocks,,,,,,,thank the lord for this good news and praise his name,,,I hope and pray that another 1 or 2 blocks will do the trick,,,,one of my old pain management dr;s told me that he has had several go into remission by cutting the head of the snake[blocks] off early,,,,,,,,,,,,may the Lord bless you and your son,,,,,,