My husband has avoided getting a lumbar sympathetic block for the three years that he's had RSD in his knee. He is now going to have to try one and we would appreciate hearing about your experiences via this informal poll and any other details you care to share.

TIA

I voted the block made me worse. I had 1 block done at 1 year and 3 months. It had already spread to both legs,feet,hips,arms,hands and tops of shoulders by 11 months.

I haven't met anyone else in 5 years that reacted the way I did. I was in agony, pain wise, for 2 months. I was already scared to death to even get the block but was forced to do it by work comp. I settled out with them back in 04 and am thankful they're out of my life.

Blocks are usually best done within the first 3 months, no later than 6 months BUT I have spoken to a few people in the last 5 years who had a block done later than that and got some relief. I REALLY hope your hubby will be one of them. Go get it done because it isn't too late to start. Considering he's had RSD for 3 years and it hasn't spread tells me that his pain might still be sympathetically maintained and no independent. At least I hope so for his sake. Sympathetically maintained pain is the type that usually responds to blocks and gives relief. Each successive block will usually give more and more relief.

I hope he gets the blocks soon and even more hope it brings relief and maybe even helps him into remission! Hope always springs eternal with RSD. Never say it's too late, until proven otherwise.

Hugs,

Karen

I have had five blocks since the end of December 2007. Each time I got one, it seemed to help more. For me, it was saving me from foot pains and burning. I hadn't realized how much the symptoms were affecting me until that first block when it all went numb for about half a day. That was heaven!

I have an extremely good pain doc/anesthesiologist. Best in town. That's why I picked him. He actually listens to what I have to say and takes time to answer questions. I wouldn't trade him for all the money you could offer!

The first block did hurt a bit, but only for maybe 15-20 seconds. Then each subsequent one seemed to be less painful -- perhaps because I already knew what to expect.

I would highly recommend he try 2 or 3 blocks, and get the best doc you can find to do it.

I have full/body systemic RSD...I have had over 60 lumbar sympathetic blocks, and cervical/lumbar epidurals in a two year period. If it weren't for these procedures, I would not be walking today. My pain levels go from a 9 to 4 with every block.

I sometimes have to have two blocks a week. But, if that keeps my pain levels down, I will go for it. My doctor decreases the amount of Depo-Medrol in every injection so I am not going to get too much steroid.

I have suggested Lidocaine IV Infusion, but since I am systemic the Lidocaine could hurt my organs running through them that often. So, my doctor feels more comfortable with the blocks as often as I have to do them for now.

Thanks,
Heather

hmm.. this is interesting

Thanks

Just realized that you can only mark one choice for the poll. Big mistake in formatting.

Thank you all who've responded/voted so far. Greatly appreciated and helpful.

I was starting to get worried about the blocks, i.e having them so often and what the long term effects on my body they would be causing, and I questioned my Dr. about Lidocaine IV infusions...He explained that he is basically using the exact medication in all of my epidurals. The only difference is that it is going into my epidural space and not my veins. Since I am having so many blocks it would be likely that I would have to be infused at least once a month for about 5 days. I have already had some kidney problems and weird stomach issues. So, he suggested that we continue with the blocks so that the Lidocaine doesn't need to hit any of my organs and stuff like that. It kinda makes sense.

How are you feeling these days hun?


Heather

I have had RSD for almost 5 yrs and just had a block done in Feb. I have had really good success with them. They do both sides, as one time they experimented with just doing one side and it was not successful. I think the poll should have included an option for blocks helping for more than 1 month, more than 2 months ect. as mine have helped 3-6 months but because they did not cure me I had to leave that category blank. I can't even tell you how many blocks I have had as I have lost count. Good luck, I wish you the best Marilyn