I had my first sympathetic block done 3 weeks ago (had 2 more weekly also). After that one I had a numb spot just above my knee on the left leg. The next day it started to get sparky pain around it. It progressed to burning, tearing pain with wrong movement, aching (clear up to hip by the end of 1st week), sensitivity to clothes/bedding, etc. The 2nd block helped some with the pain (in fact, it took the pain totally away temporarily). As the week progressed that time it got worse again (though not as bad as after the 1st week). I had my 3rd block and it didn't help my leg at all. It is still very sensitive to clothing (my skirt resting on it was like knives cutting at church), painful, aching, etc. It is not up to my hip anymore but it is higher than the original spot.

How long does this last? Will it ever get better? Or is this new rsd? Does rsd spread in a random area like that?

If it makes a difference, the first areas for me are my feet. I had burning to my knees..but that is much better after the blocks. I just feel bad since I cannot let my little kiddos (4 and 7) sit on my lap since it is too painful.
Thanks.
J

Sympathetic blocks can be our best friend and our worst nightmare. What kind of results you get between each session can vary as much as the weather out our front door - we never really know till after it's arrived.

I see these blocks as being a treatment that can give our body some time to heal itself to whatever degree it can depending on the nature of the actual damage. As far as how long the pain relief can last between these rather painful set of shots, I personally found the lasting effects diminshed faster after each round yet I know people who have done them for nearly a year and yet still get surprisingly great pain relief even after that many treatments.

Most of your current symptoms sounds like RSD plain and simple. My best advice is to make sure you keep a daily log on how you notice differences in how you're feeling and what you can do each and every day. Then when you're talking to your doctor next time he'll have a much better idea of what's working and what isn't. Doctors love documentation so make sure you create your own as well. I don't know about you, but my days do have the tendency of bluring together thus the reason you'll always do better when communicating with your doctor if you have a log in hand. Best of luck and keep me posted. Bob.

Thanks Bob - What I am not sure of is the pain in my leg that started with my first block. Many have told me it is a normal side effect for the numbness after the block, but is what I am experiencing normal or abnormal? Before the first block I had NO PAIN in that area, only in my feet. Does this make sense? So, is this numbness and pain a normal side effect from the block and if so, will it go away? I understand my feet hopefully having less pain, but the leg issue is directly from the first block.

Thanks again for your help.

J

Have you talked to your doc about desensitization and PT for your feet and leg? A physical therapist could show you how to use various types of textures against your skin to try to bring down your levels of pain and sensitivity to touch. Aqua therapy - exercising in a pool - might also be helpful.

The numbness and pain are not necessarily a normal side effect of a block, but they could be a sign that your RSD is spreading. Talk to your doc.

Good luck, Sandy