I've had 4 Sympathetic Nerve Blocks. The first 3 were not effective. I had pain relief during the block, but as soon as the medication wore off, the pain came right back. Then my last block caused me to flare up really bad for about a week. Doctors look at me like I am insane and tell me I must not have RSD, but have no explanation for what else it could be. Now, my new pain specialist wants me to do another block and I don't see what the point is.
Has anyone had a similar experience with nerve blocks?

Yup - after the first couple of blocks they stopped working. But I kept getting them anyway. I had a total of 8 SGB. And one LB because it spread to my leg. And I wouldn't be surprised if that is why my RSD spread....??? If you don't feel right about it, don't do it. Stick to your guns. Only you know how you feel.

the best of luck to you. XOXOX Sandy

I've had 10 now. They still work, on a depreciating level for several months anyway. For several hours after, I can't talk and I choke on my own saliva as it paralysis one of my vocal cords. But that wears off. Then it messes up my vision in the eye on the side of the block for several weeks, very blurry. Actually, it has been more blurry anyway since the shoulder surgery that caused all this, but much worse after the block.

There have been other annoying side effects, some that required additional (expensive) medical care but on balance, I'll continue to get them every few months until they stop working because they temporarily help that much!

I know I am preaching to the choir for many but should probably also add that before my first block, the undescribable intense pain, the severe burning, the lack of sleep for weeks after the surgery was damned near intolerable and really pushed me to my limit, so while I really don't at all like the blocks and what they do to me following them, I do appreciate and welcome the several months of relative reduction of pain that I realize after one. I just worry what lies in store for me after they stop working...

i went through the same thing as you. It worked for the day they did it then i was in tremendous pain after it wore off...just made matters worse.

Hi LoveFamilypets,
I've had 7 sympathetic lumbar blocks..
The first one two years ago gave my a whole morning of relief! it was so great, and then I felt the pain return..
The next four warmed up my leg but didn't give me any pain relief..
The 6th one was a terrible experience..my ex P.M. doc missed the spot so she removed the needle and reinserted another needle to try again..My back spasmed unbeliebably...awful..plus it caused a terrible, terrible burning flare that lasted for 3 or 4 days!!

The last one I had was at a university teaching hospital and they added some clonodine to the mix..I was sooo hoping that this would make a difference, but the block only warmed up my leg a couple of degrees and caused a burning flare for a couple of days...So I think that's it for blocks..sadly, because I had such hope that they could help.

Last week I had what is called a popliteal block..it was done behind the knee ..
This, too, caused a burn flare and didn't help!!
I wonder why blocks help some and give them great relief, while others like myself, experience burn flares!!

I had been getting injections into the nerves in my foot monthly (4 shots into 4 different nerves...this was done up until last december...even though these flared up my foot for a day or so, they did bring more flexibility to my foot and ankle and took away some of the weird, frostbitten sensation in my toes....
I might do these again...not sure though!

I wish your doctors hadn't treated you that way when you told them you had pain after the block.....they should know blocks can cause a flare-up..
The doc who administered my popliteal block last week told me that creating a flare is one of the risks of the blocks....

Good luck to you..I hope something works for you and gives you some relief..don't give up searching!!
hugs from Hope4thebest

Yes this increased my pain level and why my pain doctor wanted to hold off on the scs for the same fear. He felt that instead of settling down the nerve it actually reved them up. I have heard others too have increased pain. Did you ask him why he would do another after 4 that did not work? I would see another doctor cause like I said I have heard some people mention increased pain and they have rsd. I hope you can find relief.

Hi LFP.

I had a series of SB last fall. I got NO relief from them. Just a spinal headache and felt like I'd been hit by a bus, flu symptoms. My former PM who did them said that the color and temp in my leg improved. He told me that I must be sympathetically independent because they did not work. I've read that if you get them soon after you are diagnosed they help more and could possibly cure or at least lessen the pain for good.

I have a new PM (who I love!). He has given me three epidurals so far (another tomorrow -- YAY!) and I get about a week of GREAT relief! I still feel like I've been hit by a bus, and my legs are paralyzed for the rest of the day of the injection; BUT, I get relief. He injects Lidocane right over my tail-bone. I swear, I feel like a new person. After the first one I planted a few flowers in my garden (big mistake!). But thats how much better I felt.

I hope you find the relief you need. Trust your gut and don't let anyone talk you into anything you're not comfortable with. I think all of us here know how pushy some doctors can be. Good luck and keep us posted!

Kim

When I had mine, I was carefully told that there is no other out patient procedure that carries higher risk than nerve blocks. While I'm only speaking for myself, I can only tell you that I screamed during the process. Because of my chest hitting the x-ray table so hard over and over again, after my 2nd one I was bruised pretty darn bad over a large part of my upper chest. These are no walks in the park.

As far as results, the first one lasted 2 weeks and the 2nd one lasted less than a week. Because it was Worker's Comp, even though my specialist had ordered 6 total, they decided they'd only pay for 2. Who knows, this might have been the only time Worker's Comp actually did something good for me.

I have known of other people who have had very good results by getting the entire series at the very early onset of RSD so while I'm saying mine were pure hell, I do know they can make a difference. It's just the process that will kill you - but they can change things long term, so with caution I'd say go for it, but hang on tight. You're going to be sore afterward. Bob.

I had a similar experience. I had 4 blocks for my right arm. The 1st block made me feel a little better for a day and a half. The next 3 blocks did nothing. My doc made that same comment about maybe you dont have RSD because the blocks didnt work. He never mentioned it again though. He knew I had it, he just didnt know what else to do for me. He tried a pain pump, other types of bloicks, & a SCS with no results. After that, he told me not to come back because there was nothing else they could do for me. After the RSD spread to my right foot, I called them to see if the doctor would try a block for my foot & he quickly dismissed me. I didnt understand why. Just because his blocks didnt work on my arm doesnt mean that they wouldnt work on my foot. But, they very rudely told me....."I thought we told you never to come back." The nurse had me in tears on the phone because they were so mean & heartless about it.

Thanks for sharing your stories with me. It makes me feel like I'm not crazy. Everyone with RSD is different and I feel like docs can't handle that most of the time. I guess I'll keep searching for a doc willing to listen to me and respect my choices. After all it is my body.
Thanks again for all your help! Best wishes for all! I hope we all get better!