Hi everybody,

I had a an SG block last Friday. It lasted for 3 days. Now the burning is back and like prior to the block it's in various places.

New pain doc wants to try other blocks like epidural etc.

Does anyone have experience with blocks other than SG?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Hi Shelley--I have had both SG blocks and axillary blocks for the RSD in my arms/hands. The best success wtih the SG blocks were when they were done in series of three, about 3-4 weeks apart. It seemed that the second block had a longer-lasting effect than the first, and the third one even longer than the second. Becoause of dispute wtih IC, I have to get these procedures under Medicare. The axillary blocks are FAR less expensive than the SG blocks, and not nearly as painful. What I like about this block is that it makes my entire arm go"dead", which means NO PAIN AT ALL for about 8-12 hours, depending how much lidociane is put in.

A small needle is inserted into the brachial artery in the armit, and the anesthetic slowly injected--the procedure only lasts about 5 minutes. i bring an arm sling with me because once the arm is "deadend", it is also FLOPPY and it cannot be used.

Maybe not a "perfect" solution, but for me, it DOES help break the pain cycle, gives me 8-12 hours of absolutely NO PAIN (while it is dead) and also the swelling. I take adventage of the block and do very gentle range of motion exercises for fingers/wrist/arm...

Sometimes I have gotten almost two weeks of the "edge" being taken off the burning pain.

My Doc also alternates the SG with the axillary block when i can afford it.

Maybe something like this would benefit you, so it might be something to ask your Doc about.

I must say, in my case, the SG blocks were not overly effective - a few days of pain relief after each, but nothing lasting. The same was true for the epidurals.

On the other hand, my RSD is generally weird, and the blocks work for many people!

Hi Broadway Baby-- I think RSD IS weird!!! I sure hope that your Doctors can come up with something that helps alleviate your pain for more than a few days. Has your Doctor ever discussed the Radio-frequency Ablation?

I am sorry--my mind is still a little "foggy" these days--I forgot to mention that I had that 2 years ago. It helped alleviate the pain by about 30% for about three months-- (under a VERY stressful period in addition to it being WINTER). Although it is not an option for me at the moment, i can't help but wonder how much more effective it would have been, had it not been winter and the stress-level wasn't so high, but at the time, 30% was sure better than 0%!!

Thank you both for your insight. I am armed with soem questions I can ask before MOndays block. I am particularly interestd in the axillary blocks.

Thanks again!

Hi Shelley,
Over the last many years I have had many Brachial Plexus blocks.
My doctor inserts a catheter into The Bracial plexus ( a group of nerves)
in the armpit then leaves it in for at least a week. It is connected to a pump which delivers the anaesthetic at a measured dose consistantly onto the nerves. It doesn't go into the artery or the vein. I have has the block running for 3 weeks sometimes and it is 3 weeks of bliss!
The dose can be kept at an amount to numb the arm but not paralyse it, it is trial and error.
Whilst the pain does come back to some extent as soon as the block is removed there is residual pain relief for sometime after.
More than happy to answer any other questions you may have.
cheers Tayla