Hello, I'm new to NeuroTalk, and was wondering if anyone knows anything about a continuous cervical epidural (outpatient procedure hooked to a pump for 1-week, then removed) and how it is used for treatment of CRPS????

My PM doc has told me that because I am in the early stage I need to be as aggresive as possible. I've currently had 11 nerve blocks both cervical and lumber that did'nt really do a whole lot. So I've been told that the continuous cervical epidural is the next step to go to. I have been diagnosed with generalized crps, affecting both lower and upper and parts of my face. I did have a 4-day Ketamine infusion that really didn't work.

The procedure my Pain Management doctor is talking about is to do a cervical epidural that will be placed in or around the C-1 / C-2 then it will be tunneled down and out the lower part and hooked up to a portiable pump i.e. a pump that goes were I go. I idea is that since the sympathic nerve blocks didn't really work, this was another attempt at cooling things down or possibly reversing things since I'm still in the early stages.

I was diagnosed with CRPS 4-months ago and it is pretty much generalized, due to a second injury and it now affects my upper, lower, and parts of my face. It does not affect my back, torso or abs. Therefore, one of my big concerns is that it could possibly cause a spread to my back and therefore be a new source of pain.

I'm really confused and scared, but I do trust my PM doc, but I also know that he treats so many patients that don't have CRPS. The only information I can find on this procedure is when it's done in advanced stages and people need to get into physical therapy. I currently have full ROM of all my extremities and am using a heated pool for therapy, so I am not wanting it done to get me into physical therapy, but rather to possibly reverse this. This is why I've been struggling to get more information on this.

So, if anyone has any information with regards to the procedure (good or bad) it would be greatly appricated.


Thank you,
Denali