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

Hi Tayla--this catheter procedure you described sounds very interesting...When you have it in place, are YOU able to control the amount of the anesthetic? How big is the pump, and do you wear it around your waist on a belt or someting?

When you have it in place, how often do you have to see the Doctor (on average) to replenish the supply of anesthetic? Are you able to be fairly "mobile", or are you basically confined to your home? Have you had problems with the catheter becoming dislodged or anything? Are you able to drive?

Also, have you ever heard of this type of procedure being used for people who have RSD in their legs?

Thank you very much for taking the time to explain in a little more detail!!

Brokenwings

Well today I had two blocks...an interscalene and a lumbar.

And now its the end of the day and the burning is returning to my feet face arms, hands, lips eyes.

Just

Dont know whats next

Hi there, Unfortunately this treatment does involve hospitalisation as there is a constant need for observation .You can be mobile though, just pushing the IV Pole with you
A normal IV is inserted sometimes to deliver antibiotics as a prophylactic to prevent infection of the site as the armpit is quite a "dirty" area.
The catheter that runs into your armpit is attached to a syringe driver pump, this holds about 50-60 mls so if you are having 8 mls /hour you will need the syringe changed every 6-7 hours. The syringe holds a combination of a local anaesthetic such as marcaine and normal saline.
The rate that the syringe delivers the anaesthetic is dependent on the doctor's orders and whether you like your arm being totally paralysed or just numb but able to move it. I prefer it to be numb but still with some movement and whilst you do sacrifice some pain relief by doing this I feel it is more comfortable. A very individual choice
Good luck with whatever you choose.

Hi Tayla--thank you very much for your excellent explanation of this procedure!

I hope RSD Kittie can discuss this with her Doctor as well!

Thanks!

Brokenwings