From my experience, I only had a series of 3 nerve blocks. I too felt great right after the nerve block, but the pain always returned within 48hours so we only did a series to 3. Reason being was because it's effects were so short-term that the risks out weighed the benefits. After the nerve blocks I tried ketamine. I would look into that if the series of 3 dont work out for you.
I hope you get some long-term relief soon.
Sarah

steve6561, When i had my stellate blocks my Dr. told me they do help block the RSD cycle early on but if your RSD has become SIM(sympathetic independent pain) it wont help. That is why it is important to have blocks done early on. I know I had relief but not completely and by my last block i didnt get much relief at all. So just because a block doesnt work doesnt mean you dont have RSD.
You have the right to ask/tell the nurse to wait outside while you see the Dr. and then she can read the chart. A lot of Drs dont want the w/c nurse in there when they are talking to you. They can make the Dr. feel uncomfortable talking with you. If you get an attorney they will tell you dont let them in they can read the chart.

So, I finally told the case mgr. that she wasn't allowed in the doc's office with me. She said I had the right to do that and it was fine. So, I'm waiting in the office for the doc to come in, and hear the case mgr. talking with him, saying that she feels like I am taking too much pain medication. I hear him say to her, "So what are you wanting?" My heart dropped, as my suspicions of that case mgr. working with the ins. co. were finally proved. Now this is what I am taking, Neurontin 300mg 3xday, Vicodin ES- 1 to 2 every 4-6 hrs. as needed, and otc ibuprofen. The funny thing is that every time i get a new script, i have some leftover! I can understand that some people over do these meds and get addicted, but she straight-up called me an addict! So to make a long story short, I was taken off the vicodin, and told to take tylenol or aleve, and when I asked what if this wouldn't help, the doc's nurse simply replied, "well, then you will just have to be in pain"! Anyway halfway through the visit the case mgr. walks right in. I told her that I wanted privacy and she replied "you are finished here anyway" and the doctor sat and did nothing!
Then she asked yet again if this rsd could've flared up from 2 yrs ago when i broke my wrist, and the doc said there is no way to tell, but judging from my medical reports from the prev. injury, and evaluation by a pain mgt. doc whom said there was absolutely no way any chronic pain synd. was present, which i agreed. The only problem i had is they put a small pin in and from the incision, my skin was numb for a long time, and hurt now and again. The surgeon said this was normal due to the pin and the fact that i was on pain meds for 8 months consecutively, so i had "desensitized". Anyway back to the story at hand, the doc i saw told the case mgr. that if the prev. docs said i didn't have it then, then that was that. She kept repeating like a broken record, "but its possible right, but its possible right?" The doc said in these words, "anything is possible, but as for you and the ins. co. are concerned in a court of law if you cant prove one way or the other, but now the person has a condition from the latest injury, with a diagnosing doc's testimony, the decision will be in the injured person's favor most likely!" She seemed very upset and unconvinced. So, anyway thats whats happening now. If anyone has a good suggestion for me let me know! Thanks

My suggestion is to get an attorney (if you don't have one) and let them deal with this harassing woman. You do have a right to privacy with your doctor. She can read the notes after. If you feel she is dictating treatment to your doctor try to set up an appointment with the doctor to discuss how this is affecting you. As far as your pain and medication goes, she should not be able to tell your doctor what you should or should not have. Your attorney may have to start making calls or sending letters about her taking control of your appointments, medications etc. I would nip it now and do not be afraid of her. You control yourself and appointments and make that clear to her.

WC is EVIL! I find it unbelievable that a system that was set up to protect workers now does the most harm to them. I wish that I had back all of time I spent waiting for approvals, hearings and WC doctor appts. I am pretty sure that I would only be 46 instead of 50. Lisa

i so agree. Before i hired my attorney, i got into it on the phone with my adjuster (IC) and i asked her if it was her or her family member in this situation would she accept this kind of treatment? of course no response. I then told her that if it wasn't for people like us (unfortunately) she wouldn't have a damn job, i hung up on her!!! never spoke to her again thank god.