i have stellate blocks once a week and have never had lead. my doc does use floro. the nurses and the doc always wear lead but they do so because they are in the room around the x ray radiation for hours (my mom is an iv sedation nurse).
in all of my sgb i have had the red flush thing once...the doc tried a different mix of meds and i was allergic to one of them. i took some benadryl and the itchiness and redness subsided, the next block we went back to the old mix.
i hope things work out

I appreciate your responses!

I am glad to hear it's not unusual to not have the lead apron used! My first S.G.B. was at a teaching institute, also well known, but possibly, the lead apron was used by an over zealous student?? Or maybe, to keep me from being nervous by not allowing me to see? They treated it like it was a regular surgery; I was fully draped, and had my hands and ankles secured (not a pleasant adventure!). I had the droopy eye lid, and a squeaky voice. My throat was sore for a week!

The second was very different, no drapes, no tie downs. Much easier, all the way around, no droopy eye lid, no sore throat or squeaky voice. However, this one seems to be far more effective than the first. Much more relief (so far) this go around.

Also, I asked my Dr. about the redness in my face and the horrible burning feelings, and she said it was from the steroid she'd used. She said it wasn't anything to be concerned about. (YAY!!) I am set for another block in 3 weeks.

It's interesting, the different views on the frequency of the blocks. This is probably something for a new thread here, but I wonder why my personal Insurance company, (W.C. Paid for the first block) will only do them once every 3 weeks, and the teaching hospital wanted to do them weekly? ( P.S. -W.C won't pay for more, only agreed to the diagnostic, go figure!)

Thanks again, and if anyone knows why there are differing views on how often they will do the block, I'd appreciate knowing why.

Take Care All,

Cala

I had 3 SGB's and on the 3rd one I believe I had a panic attack after I woke from having it. They did work though. I had the droopy eye and my voice sounded like Donald Duck. I was thinking the other day about how my brother use to talk like Donald Duck for me and I never could learn to do it. I should have called him that day when I sounded that way. He would have had a good laugh over it. Only thing was I came home and slept it all off.

I have insurance that so far has paid for about everything I have had done so I have been blessed there so what the Dr. had planned was a block every week for 16 weeks. I only made it through 3 as I said. I had a great Anesteolgist though, at least I think so. LOL He hooked me up to IV and I was knocked out for it. If he told me he was going to stick that needle in my neck while I was a wake I would have really objected.

I have had blocks before all of the surgeries I have had since I developed RSD except one and the hospital I was at didn't do them at the time. I now have RSD in my pelvic area. I swear by the blocks. I do believe they can help a lot of people if they give them a chance. As someone said, it could be allergies to the meds they use when they do make a person have a side effect from them. When I had my 2nd rotator cuff surgery, the Dr. came at me with that needle for the block and I ask him if he was going to do that while I was awake. He was like 12 inches from me. He said no I would be out. I couldn't believe I was out that fast.

I think as someone said, insurance is the key factor in wheather a person gets blocks or how often. Also Drs., I think some see RSD as a big money making illness and thrive on it by not trying to get a person into remission. I was amazed at how many people around here I have met with RSD that hadn't had any blocks for RSD. I do believe in them and that they can help a lot of people with RSD.

Good luck on yours and I do hope they help put your RSD into remission.

Ada

[QUOTE=Caladium;168099]I appreciate your responses!

I am glad to hear it's not unusual to not have the lead apron used! My first S.G.B. was at a teaching institute, also well known, but possibly, the lead apron was used by an over zealous student?? Or maybe, to keep me from being nervous by not allowing me to see? They treated it like it was a regular surgery; I was fully draped, and had my hands and ankles secured (not a pleasant adventure!). I had the droopy eye lid, and a squeaky voice. My throat was sore for a week!


OMG Caladium,
This treatment sounds appalling They secured your hands and feet??

I am very glad you are not going back to this establishment for anymore SGB'S. They are very out of touch.

Love Tayla

I so agree here with Tayla, that this is so appalling!! Why would they secure your hands and feet?? It's the neck part that you have to hold still and can't move it until the doc. is done doing your block. My first pain Dr. did mine with no fluroscopy and I just didn't like being awake having those three done. I am now going to a new pain managemwnt Doc and I asked him if I could be put under? He said whatever way you feel comfortable, we can do it. So, I had two and was knocked out completly. All I heard when it was all over was.. Your all done!! I am glad your not going back to that place either, ~Love, Desi