I had shoulder surgery in decemeber and with that i had a pain sheath catheter in place. The first catheter did not work and the MDA wanted to replace it after surgery. He tried to remove the first catheter but was unable. He then placed a second one and told me that I'd have to go see a different MDA to have them both taken out. I made it to 2nd day post op and was in terrible pain and pump wasn't relieving much pain. Come to find out the first catheter was knotted inside and thats why he couldn't get it out. AFter they realized they weren't getting it out the "normal" way I Had to have it cut out of me. It was a huge knot.

Since all of this I"ve been dealing iwth Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy also called complex regional pain syndrome- type 1 in that arm. I have had 3 stellate ganglion blocks and 3 axillary blocks to help. this is the first week without a block and i'm hurting really bad. it feels like my arm is on fire. it comes and goes but i don't know what to do.

i'm on gabapentin , nortriptylene, and fosamx as prescribed by the pain management doc. i don't see him for another week and a half as he's on vacation. is there anything else out there besides meds to try to make this go away. i want my life back! i should have just lived with a bad shoulder if I knew this was going to happen. I've also been using a tens unit and doing desensitization therapy.

i've read a little about nerve stimulators permanently being in place?

please if anyone has any input or ideas or been through this please msg me or reply to this...