So last week I had a stellate block as well as a suprascaular and axillary nerve block with pulsed radio frequency. The suprascap and axillary blocks are for the possible entrapped nerves in question. And I was reaing Hooshmand puzzles and he actually said an axillary block is a good block for RSD so I am glad that I got it.

First couple of days sucked and I was sore and spasm'd from the trauma of the shots but today not so bad. Left shoulder feels like a 30% or so reduction in pain, main difference is muscle spasms down a bit and area feels like it is getting some blood flow. Vascular headache not nearly as bad. Got the docs report and he says with the stellate that the hand got 4 degrees warmer. Over the weekend, I felt a little better. I slept better and my mood was better and a little more energy. That suprascap nerve still felt like it was spasming and pinched but that maybe it was less swollen. Still any pressure on the shoulder was painful.

Today, it was not great in the morning but pain was more bearable today and headaches not as bad from the shoulder and a little more range of motion. Mood and energy a bit better today. Memory not as bad.

So anyway what was other's experience from the blocks and how much relief did you get and for how long?

Hi Shelley over the last 7 years I have approx. 25 different blocks. temp, relief is the best I can say for them and I am finished with them all.the best part is being asleep for a brief period and not being in pain! doesnt say much for them. seriously my rsd was to far down the road for them to help. Ive been having trigger pain to help with the spasms. some help. dc

hi CZZ74, I have had RSD/CRPS for 24 years, I have had hundreds of nerve blocks, and other blocks over the years the blocks were done either in a series of 3 per week, 5 per and so on. I was put in the Hospital 20 times for continuous 10 day infusions with every kind of med that the Dr's would come up with, This was all done before they were using ketamine. I was in Philly being treated by Dr. Schwartzman in some trial . He too kept me in the hosp. but the blocks were done daily there. I thought after the 2 weeks in the hospital with his blocks, that I was cured. I was off all meds felt great and Dr. S. told me not to get too excited because he didn't know if they would hold because the ones I had here in FL. never held very long. Well he was right, all the different Dr,s put their little minds together and decided that I should have 3 Sympathectomies in 3 of my limbs, so one by one I had the sympathic chains removed. Pain was still there it did'nt help to much. I am full body and lately my muscle spasms are completely out of control, you mentioned
that that you were having trigger pain to help with your spasms, did you mean trigger injections? Where do they give them to you and are they helping? I take a muscle relaxant and usually they work but lately even increased they are not helping. Hope to hear from you. Your friend Wendy

Wendy, Hi sorry for the delay just saw this.yes thank you tigger point injections. but before that, OMG i can not believe you have had this for 24 years horrible thought for me. and all that you have been through I am so so sorry. for your pain, for the ordeal of it all. for the length of it all. Im glad at least you had the compassion of dr. s. or atleast that is how i found him to be.
Back to the quuestion- i have severe rib spasms, as an example,they have literally have brokern blood vessels on my sides. I am put to sleep, twilight, for my injections as i cant take the pain, I have a wonderful pm doctor. he puts them everywhere i have spasm excepts legs and feet.

Id do have terrible spasms there but i strongly recommend not injecting your feet or legs,my right leg is my orginal injury site, perhaps that s why- but the follow up pain it caused was surreal. too too much . he said my leg shot off the table even though i was completely under from the pain.

you say spasm but i am imagining you mean spasm/charliehorse type things like i have, they are brutal and longlasting. these injections do help me.

Also my gel helps give some fast relief when i do get them - the one that is mixed for me by a pharmacy. do you have a gel? hope this information helps you. you are in my thoughts and prayers.
dc