[goblue1998]

I still haven't received an official CRPS diagnosis as my symptoms don't present as classic text book and are mild luckily. I go for 3 phase bone scan on Friday with then talk of getting a series of nerve blocks to see if they relief my symptoms left foot to confirm CRPS diagnosis. I have had another PM doc say my pain level is not high enough for risk of nerve block and he said I don't have CRPS because I don't yelp in pain at touch.

New PM thinks I do have CRPS in very mild form and after bone scan make recommend nerve blocks to use to confirm or unconfirm diagnosis. He says risks are extremely low and other doc might not have done alot so might not be confident in his ability. I agree with this new PM and that CRSP is a spectrum disease/syndrome and that you don't need to have the severe case in order to have it so I am leaning towards having nerve blocks.

I am going through all this to determine if I should have hardware removed, new surgeon is being very cautious which I appreciate.

Curious if others went through Blocks to confirm or unconfirm diagnosis.

[Littlepaw]

hi Blue,

I am making the assumption that they are talking about sympathetic nerve block done alongside the spine. This may give them a better idea but I do not think it can confirm or unconfirm a diagnosis. If the block works it tells you that you have sympathetically maintained pain. However, not everyone responds to the blocks and not all cases of CRPS have sympathetically maintained pain.

It WILL give you information, it may give relief and the steroid injection to the area may break the cycle somewhat if sympathetics are involved.

[RSD ME]

hi goblue. i've had eight nerveblocks from my pm dr my first year of being diagnosed with rsd. they helped a little with some symptoms and pain along with prednisone that my neurologist prescribed but after a few months they both stopped helping. after foour and a half years of having rsd it has spread to all my limbs, stomach and mouth. i have lost five teeth due to rsd and have had irregular ekgs with my heart, ostopenia in my hips, stigmatism and blurry vision in both eyes and just had a mamogram that showed that i was at higher risk for breast cancer now because of dense breast tissue. i also have had sores on my scalp for nine months from rsd and may need cortison injections in my feet because of rsd spreading there. after four and half years of having rsd i've found that pain and antianxiety meds that my pm dr and pyschiatrist prescribe along with a home exercise program that my pt prescribed help me deal with this monster a little better. having this support group also helps alot. hope your nerveblocks and steroid injections help you to feel better. soft hugs.

[LIT LOVE]

Nerve blocks have been used to diagnose RSD/CRPS. If you respond, than it confirms the diagnosis, but if you don't, it doesn't rule it out.

I have to say the same with the bone scan though, too. With a mild and new case it would be surprising if there is no evidence of CRPS on the bone scan.

So long as you are having a block done by an experienced doctor, the potential reward outweighs the risk IMO. It has helped me deal with spread several times over the years. You could potentially go into remission...

Plan to schedule a massage a few days after you have the procedure. It helps remove chemicals you don't want collecting near your spine--maybe not the best description, but...

[GreyStreet]

I've had many nerve blocks. For me, they didn't help, and often caused flares. I have broken my teeth, I have two rear molars that I broke completely off after having them repaired many times. I just finally had the roots removed this week. They have been broken 6 years at l3ast. I also have one of my side teeth that broke off, and the one behind that is very damaged and needs a crown now, after the root canal. Four teeth on the bottom front are fractured, you old see hairline cracks in them. My dentist fixed them yesterday with composite material.

I have night guard, but I broke it. I catch myself clenching during the day. I try to stop, but don't realize half the time...

I thought it was just me, but it seems others have this problem?