Hey there!

I was just wondering about possibly having a different doctor perform a block. It sounds like this one was botched. A block should go into your sympathetic chain along your spine, not anywhere near your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is all the way on the other side of your body, near your lungs. Also, I've never had a block that involved steroids- only anesthetics. So that may be something to look into. Steroids can sometimes aggravate people and cause funny reactions. Also, when my foot hurts a lot and the movement level is down, I soak my foot in a tub of warm water with epsom salts in it and try to get my foot wiggling. Or a bath. And my personal savior . . . my heat pad!

And I'll chime in too. Immobilization bad. Movement good. I had to relearn how to walk after being on crutches and protecting my leg for a long time. I was killing my opposite hip by guarding my RSD leg. And I had no muscle mass in my affected thigh. It's a vicious circle, but less muscle mass leads to more pain, which makes you want to do less, which leads to more muscle loss. And so on and so on. So you have to get moving a bit. Swimming is great! No gravity! When the muscles around a joint are built up, those muscles can do the work, and take the pressure off of the joint.

And Loretta, can you break up your postings into more paragraphs? They're kind of hard to read as is. Thanks!

Lynn

Hi Lynn
It is common to combine the drug used to do the block with a steroid - they mix them and inject them together after injecting the dye that tells them they are in the right place. The theory is that the steroid works on the sympathetic nerves much like any other steroid injection would be used on painful or inflammed joints or soft tissue.

Rita
I don't know where your husband's block was placed. Usually it is done as a stellate ganglion block for arms and a lumbar spinal block for legs but neither block will affect the other body part if you see what I mean. You talk about your husband having CRPS in his leg but also mention problems with his arm. If the block is incorrectly done or not placed in the right spot it can cause all sorts of problems with breathing,swallowing and movement. Has your husband been back in touch with whoever performed the block to report the problems he is having? If it was done correctly and he has had so many problems then I don't see why you are assuming that he will have to have more of them done. If it doesn't help then there is no point in having any more done. This does seem to be (the) one area where the US is behind the UK - even going privately here they don't repeat pointless blocks but there seems to be more willingness to do that in the US.

Your husband needs to arm himself with as much good quality medical knowledge as he can before he sees the doc again so that he can ask the right questions and understand the answers (and recognise if he is being fobbed off with rubbish!!). There is no substitute for ensuring that you learn everything you can about CRPS - most doctors have a hopelessly low level of knowledge and understanding so the only way is for you to take that responsibility for your own treatment. Knowledge really is power with CRPS. It will also help you both to come to terms with the condition, the treatment options and the emotional side of things.

Thanks Lynn, That was a very long, long, paragraph. Have appreciated your neuroscience background. Hope this is a good day for you. Loretta

I appreciate all the answers and help, guys! Everyone has such good info and advice. Reed's been only wearing the air cast when we go out in public. The doc thought it may be a good idea, for protection. WC is still singing the song about fractures. They don't seem to understand that RSD causes swelling and discoloration. Geez where do they find these nurses? lol
Anyway, Reed's spirits are up, thanks in part to good info. So again, thanks guys! Will keep everyone posted, and he wants to put on some pics too of his RSD leg.

Just to update.. we went back to the ortho doc today, and the PM doc. Ortho says he has no answers, and PM doc is taking an extended leave of absense, but is referring Reed to another PM in the same city. He said that obviously the nerve blocks did not do what they were supposed to because Reed's pain is not only nerve related, but also involves bone, muscle, and sensory. He said that SCS is basically the only hope he has of getting relief and any sort of movement back. They are sending in a request for approval for trial SCS. Of course, this brings up a whole new set of questions.
He also raised his neurontin dosage and said he wants to see if this gives him enough relief to help him sleep . If not, then he'll have to give him sleep meds also.
I guess now we wait to see if WC approves the SCS. Any info on SCS as always, is appreciated!
Thanks for all your help guys.. ya'll are fantastic!

Hello Rita,

Welcome to a wonderful place for caring and sharing regarding this monster known as RSD. It is good that you found this forum!

One thing that I would like to tell you right up front is that you all should not feel pressured to make any rash decisions regarding a SCS or any other option. Ask lots of questions and by all means get a second opinion from a doctor of your choice!

Remember the WC doctors will not necessarily have Reed's best interest at heart. So proceed with caution. Read as much as you can about treating RSD so that you all will have some basic knowledge of treatment options being offered.

Finally, I agree with Gymjunkie about 4-months not being a long time. There is no magic bullet for this condition. What will work for Reed may be totally different than someone else. It took about 2.5 years for me to get decent pain control...but it was worth it.

Best wishes,
EJ

The doctor he is seeing wasnt referred by WC. So far they havent pressured him to see their docs. I know it's coming though, we've been warned. The doctor Reed is seeing next is to get another opinion. We've had 2 docs tell us he needs the SCS..apparently his RSD is progressing very quickly. We see another doc on Friday for another opinion.

Rita,

I have the scs. I've had it almost a year. It has given me my life back. far better then I hoped for. I won't say that recovery is easy, because it isn't. there are a lot of restrictions, but if one follows their drs. insturctions, then it should be fine. For almost 4 years I was in bed or a wheelchair. Now I'm back to taking care of my horses, and taking care of myself. It takes so much longer to do things, but at least I can do some of the things then I used to be able. I always recommend that you try the scs. If it works, then you know, if it doesn't work then again you will know. Yes, you are a bit uncomfortable after the trial, but after so long of not being able to take care of anything, I was able to get out of be on day 3/4 and walk thru a home and garden show with only a cane. I actually put on shoes and socks which I haden't had on in years. I love mine, and I don't think I could keep going on with out. Again...that's why they had a trial, to see if it does work. Please keep an open mind.

Hugs
Mary