I feel as if I never left for a mini vacation! I am back from a horrible vacation. Gone for 4 nights and had a migraine for 3 of the 4!!!! UGHH. So anyways, I am going for my 1st block Monday (as I have posted a bazillion times with questions already) but now I have yet another question. Is it normal practice to go to PT right after having a block? (stellate ganglion block). That is what I am going to be doing right after mine....just curious and if so any special reason why????

I read here that PT was typical after a block. But my doc would not let me do anything strenuous with my neck or arms for 2 days after my SGB. he did not want my PT anywhere near my cervical spine...

sorry about your migraines...Topamax has helped me enormously. I currently take 100 mg 2X a day. After I had been in about 75-80% remission from ketamine infusions I tried going off of it. but when I tapered down, my migraines started coming back.

I also use Fiorcet as needed (a few a day sometimes), and Frova, which is a triptan like Imitrex, when I feel one coming on. It really has helped. I have learned how to control my head pain most of the time...but it took a while

Good luck, it's just such a drag when your head hurts all the time!!

I used to get a migraine maybe 1-2 times every 3-5 months, now they seem to be every week/every other week. It is unbelievable. I am having so many painful changes with my body that it sometimes scares me to get out of bed! I never know if a "new" symptom, ache or pain is from the CRPS or something else, which makes things more complicated for me due to my CRPS stemming from a workers compensation claim. I never know which doctor to call and be treated by especially since comp pays for the medications that are related to my WC case folder! To think it all started with Carpal Tunnel syndrome 5 years ago, turned into 10 bilateral hand/joint surgeries to now the CRPS. I started Imitrex about 2 months ago (prescribed by my primary Dr.) because we thought the migraine overload was just an odd thing, but now I am realizing that it has to be connected to this CRPS somehow. I cannot imagine that migraines could just sprout out this much from almost nothing...but then again...what do I know!! lol...thanks!! Glad to hear that your pain is more manageable with the right medications...if only I could find my right "recipe" for medication!

Yes. PT is often done after blocks. You get rid of the pain so you can exercise and the exercise is what you need.

Very sorry to hear that your mini vacation was not very relaxing...I know how much we need those breaks sometimes but unfortunately our bodies do not always cooperate. And I totally understand what you are going through with work comp and not knowing which things are related to the CRPS and which things aren't. All my things right now started after I got a block so they may be related...but maybe not. Until we know what it is, how do I know if it was caused by the blocks? If it's stress because of the pain I have been in...well then it's related. But how do I know? Right now work comp is not paying anything except a few of the medications because my case is going through the appeal process. Even though they are not appealing the medical, they decided they are just not going to do anything until it's finished in court. Well thanks a lot guys...still needing medical care over here. But whatever. I have insurance and they are paying me while I am off work with a note. As long as I have income, I can pay for the medical now with my insurance and get reimbursed later.

Sorry...I went way off track there. But know you are not alone with this stuff. As for the PT...I went to PT the next day after the block and continued a 3-day a week PT schedule. It was rough...but if you can push through it then it is totally worth it. You will be able to get a good chunck of your life back. I really hope that the block helps you and that you are able to do this.

I was told similar though for me the block flared me up too much. Also another treatment was suggested where they place a catheter in the spine giving meds and numbing agent and then one is sent to pt 2 times daily. I did not have this done though. The doctor I saw at Cleveland Clinic felt pt was so important in getting to a better place but unfortunatly many have pain that is too high to do so and why the treatments are used. I hope you find relief