Hi Maggie. I was just wondering if your Doctor performed your stellate ganglion block with fluoroscopy? I had 8 procedures done and when I had my first 3 done, there was no symptoms of the drooping eyelids(Droopy eye) also no red or bloodshot eyes, tearing, nasal stuffiness, horse voice, sensation of a lump in my throat, difficulty swallowing, sensation of warmth in my arm or hand. Not to say, that I needed to get all these symptoms, but I heard so many people saying this. Plus, I hated the fact, that the jerk I had would not give me an option of getting put out or stay awake. (My old pain management Dr. was a real jerk!) rotten bedside manners and all. So, I went to PA to have 5 more done and my doc. there gave me the choice of staying awake or getting put out. I choice the seditives through my I.V. He also said he never does any blocks without the fluroroscopic method. I did experience at least 5 of the symptoms of the above, the hoarse voice, droopy eyes, nasal stuffiness and two others. Needless to say, all 8 blocks did not help, except for one, which put me into remission for 2 weeks and 3 days. Anyway, my new Doc. is talking spinal cord stimulator also. I just ordered a free CD to watch and I still have not watched it. I am going to watch it either tonight tomorrow?? I mean, I have been and still am on neurontin, xanax, pain patch(The highest there is now), percocet for break through pain, Effexor XR, Amitriptylin, 10 mg at bedtime, and ativan for sleep. I still can't stay asleep. I get up all hours of the night and lots of nights, I sleep in our guest bedroom, so not to wake up Bill, (My husband) he is so good to me, so caring. Sometimes he treats me like a child at times, always saying be careful, are you ok to drive? I'll drive you. he helps me out a lot with our daughter who is 8 yrs. old. He told me that to go with what my doctor said about going up to Cleveland hospital at least for a good talk about what the doc has to say about the spinal cord stimulator, so this will be a huge step for me, as I act like a little baby. I always say this on here! LOL Well, take care and see if your doc. can use different meds to put in you SCS like mine were doing. Hey, at least I tried 8 until my doctor said, no more, as the last one made my entire hand, wrist and shoulder hurt on the way home from PA. Much love, thoughts and prayers, Maggie. ~Love, Desi

LOL I said towards the end of this letter to ask if your doc can use different meds to put in your SCS like mine were doing.. sorry Maggie, I meant to say, see if he can use different meds to put in your stellate ganglion needle(For your next block) like mine were doing!! Take care, Maggie, Love, Desi

The first one gave me 100% relief and it just caused me to walk sideways briefly. I had to aim 40 degrees to port to get to my destination. The relief lasted only about six hours though. It felt like there was nothing whatsoever wrong.

The second one provided about 60% relief withoput side effects.

The third one gave a little relief but it paralyzed my arm and this wasn't one of the problems they had warned me about so I got pretty panicky. They had a little trouble giving me the shot and said I moved.

They're not as bad as they look or sound. You're supposed to exercise and stuff while the pain is gone.

Hi Imahotep!
My arm was paralyzed also!(This was my 8th. and LAST SGB) I too panicked!! I'm like, "what the heck"!! I was not allowed to go home until I could lift my arm off the chair! Seemed like forever, but it went away! I sure was glad about that! I don't know how mine got that way, as I was under sedation with an I.V. .. So, I must have moved too, or my PMD hit something else??

I'm sooo sorry it's come to this!After 16 years of RSD there's NOTHING I haven't tried. If you had a block already--I hope it worked for you!This dis-ease use to be confined to my right leg. I have had more than 350 of these usless proceedures done (which includes blocks, trigger points, stimulators, sympathectomies, all kinds of drugs and last but not least a pump---went into cardiac arrest so that too was removed immediately) Got tired of all the crap and went to homeopathics in 2002. The RSD went into remission! Two months ago,However,I had surgery on rt.hand. It has now been a real pain!SMILE. It has spread to everywhere.Not healing so Ortho doc suggested going back to pain mgnt.Against my gut,had two blocks and I WILL NOT return! Eventhough it is "good" to talk to others that have been diagnosed, I hate this for all of us.B/c of this crazy stuff,it can and will allow you to see and do things "out of the box".I have many thoughts and ideas for you to try. I am not savvy when it comes to computers so I hope this gets to you. I will be thinking and sending you good energy to make it through the tough days. Pls, don't give up 'cause right now I'm in the same boat as you! Take care of you and my prayers are there! Sunny

I had overuse syndrome from a Job injury. I had to get the stellate ganglion block to get my disability check, cause they said I was refusing treatment in 1993. I was supposed to get several of them. my first visit, there was four others in the waiting room who also got them, and we all were supposed to come back the next day, to get the second one. I was the only one to come back the next day. Immediately after the block my blood presher had drooped real low and all the nurses were scared. They new something went seriously wrong. But they sent me home anyway. I had severe chest pains and could not get out of bed when I got home. The hospital called and told me if I wasn't feeling well I should go to the emergency room. But I could not get out of bed and It was the doctors that screwed me up and I did not want to go back to them. I can't believe they they are still giving them out. I tried to sue the pharmaceutical companies for a trillion dollars to stop them from torturing people with them. It's 2009 and i STILL HAVE CHEST PAINS AND CAN DO VERY LITTLE WITHOUT HAVING TO SIT DOWN.

Hmmm... I am not sure what to say other than all of us have had a real BAD experience to even be here so no doubt it is unwelcome insult to injury to try a procedure, to decrease your pain, and it only backfires big-time.

I will say that I've had 4 stellate blocks now, one with kind of scary side-effects that ameliorated later that same day. I would definately agree that an anesthesiologist who is board certified in pain management is the way to go if you pursue the blocks. I've dealt professionally with both anesthesiologists and physiatrists when I refered for various pain managment procedures and unequivocally the anesthesiologists get better results than the physiatrists, in my opinion.

Whether the blocks are worth it or safe? Depends on your results I guess. The prior poster certainly and rightly so, would say absolutely not! For me, they dropped my pain 80-90% but I saw the train-wreck coming and cheated by starting on them at 6 weeks post-op. I am 8 1/2 months post-op and will say they seem not to last forever as my sympathetic symptoms are returning and a 5th block has been recommended. Good luck!

Do you mind sharing some of what you found that helped, in homeopathics.

I had my first block two days ago. Immediately and for many hours had no response at all - no change in how my left arm and hand felt (RSD 24 months now), no particular nerve "feelings" from the block at any time. In bed later the first night started to feel much reduced pain. It has since been wavering back and forth from slightly better to same as before.

Expect to talk to the Dr who did the block tomorrow or next day. We are scheduled to do the block again - Stellate Ganglion - next Monday, as a pre-requisite procedure about 18 hours before a surgery on the left hand. Some concern about the surgery, but PT and OT have not fully corrected it and now developing "swan neck" fingers.

My prayers to everyone.

I had nerve block done two weeks ago. Going for another one friday. it only helped the first day. it took 6 hours not 2 before i could eat, the worst of it is the lump in your neck. my neck is still sore. im going to see if there is some other relief the doctor said 9 times. i say hell no im willing to do 4 times then if no relief he must find another way.

There is no "thanks" button for me to hit for Desi's post, but I just want to concur. Not all blocks are created equal!!! Finding a doc that uses fluoroscopy during a SGB is essential. And while it is more uncomfortable during the procedure and will lengthen it, the results can also be increased if the doc asks for your feedback during the procedure to pinpoint the exact area for maximum results.

One doc treated my SGB's like injections and the other doc treated them like serious medical procedures akin to surgery. The results were much more consistent with the latter!


If done incorrectly they can cause more you more problems. Please ask questions.

The meds used also make a huge difference. Research what the options are.