I am going in on August the 16th to have abdominal surgery. I need some anwser's from all of you that have RSD. I have to go see the anesthesia Dr. to find out about having an epidural block in my spine,like the one's that they give some women when giving child birth. My question is with RSD I do not think that this is a safe option? I need to know what everyone think's about having this with all your nerve ending's doing what they do,which is basically dyeing (sp?) off one by one? I know with the surgery I am having they will want me to have this but I am very scared to. Please I need your thought's regarding this since it is coiming up very soon!! Has anyone had this with being in the fourth stage of RSD? If so did it cause more damage? Thank's so much,I will be looking forward to any suggestion's and or help! Breezy55

Staging is no longer really done...

Blocks are the standard as a precaution for those with RSD receiving surgery. I had a Stellate Ganglion block when I had hand surgery post RSD and had no problems with spread. The SGB lasted for 3 weeks and got me through the worst of recovery.

How long will the block they're planning last? The kind done in child birth wears off so quickly it wouldn't help for RSD in regards to surgery.

Ketamine is often used in anesthesia for RSD surgery now, so you might want to research it as well. The main thing is your surgeon experienced with RSD? Have you had a 2nd opinion that surgery is urgently needed?

Thank's for your reply. What is Staging? Also yes I need this surgery done. This is my third time trying to have it. The 1rst time I got sick from the prep,the 2nd time they made 1 incision into my bellybutton and i had a heart attack so they stiched me back up and took me to the holding room. It turned out that my potassium was very low and at the time I was taking Methedone(sp?) I am having what is called a Ladd's procedure. My duodenum is rotated and fliped up,my colon is all in knot's and they are taking out my appendix. I have been suffering for 3 year's trying to have any bowel movement's!! I know this is gross but the only way I can get the stool out is to put on a sterile glove with vasoline and go up there with my finger! ECK~~ I know have been doing this for over 3 year's and am very afraid of rupturing my bowel's. So this is why I need this surgery. Also from not having normal movement's it look's like I am 3 month's pregnant.

I have to agree with Lit Love. That you should consider either a block or ketamine prior.

You definitley don't want to wait for your surgery so make the arrangements as fast as you can. Call the anesthesoligist . (sp) Or their practice and explain the situation. Most ansethesia dr.'s are trained in blocks, but may not be familiar with handling ketamine. But you should ask.

I have an apt. with the Anesthesia Dr. on the 6th of August,also getting my chest x-ray done that day also. Already had my pre-op yesterday. My surgery is on the 16th of August. They need 2 surgeon's 1 from Children's hospital and 1 from the surgeon that does adult's. I guess what I have is more likely to happen to baby's or children. I still am not sure about having any needle going up my spine? I am in the 4th stage of RSD?? Thank's much ,would love to hear more before this upcoming Monday the 6th!!

I had a ganglion block about 6 months after being diagnosed with RSD. Within 5 minutes of the block being over my RSD spread from my right foot (original site of injury) to my right hand, arm, shoulder and neck. So...I'd go for the Ketamine if that's a possibility. Good Luck!

Unfortunately,I am allergic to Ketamine!-Shoot? Any other suggestion's? I don't see why they can't just put me out without any kind of block's? Thank's so much for your reply! I know that they want to do the block for post-op pain. However I have heard so much that goes wrong with doing this on people that have RSD!! We shall see what happen's? Also I have no where to go after my surgery,my parent's just passed away within 3 month's of each other. The only brother I have live's in Utah. They alway's ask at the hospital who will be with you while you recover? I am trying to call some girlfriend's to see. My 3 son's live to far away. Stay Tuned?? Love you all-Breezy55

Stellate Ganglion Blocks should be done via fluoroscopy. Many docs do them blind--which will be less effective and more likely to have side effects. There are people that literally have hundreds of SGB without spread, then again some people are very susceptible to spread. YOU have to know your body. IMO the surgery without a block is more likely to cause spread, than surgery with a block.

Even IV's in a my "good" limb are always scary... Lidocaine patches applied soon after has helped me from thwarting the slide into spread.

If you're able to tolerate a light massage after the block/surgery, that might help as well. http://www.rsdrx.com/massage_therapy.htm Even if it's just to the area of the block site.

You asked about stage 4. Staging is no longer used by experts within the RSD field. The last few paragraphs in this link explain why. http://www.crpsadvisory.com/crpsa_fo...l#.UB2hT3t5nTo

Breezy55~ have you talked with an anesthesiologist yet? When you do let him/her know what is going on and your fears. Many anesthesiologists handle pain management and this one may be familiar with your concerns and between the 2 of you decide what would be best in your situation.

Check out this link: http://www.rsds.org/4/resources/hospital_protocol.html
If you are going to be inpatient it will be helpful.

Good Luck tomorrow!