Hi

I have had a sympathectomy, personally it didnt help but thats cos most of my pain is CNS not SNS.....

it wasn't after TOS and I felt dreadful after it for a while.....

sorry to be so negative! I really hope that yours helps and I know several RSDers who have really benefited from the process!!

Rosie xxxxxxxxxxx

I had sympathectomies several months after TOS surgery which helped tremendously,I think
I had them on T1 and T2.
I do use blocks as a pain management tool , mostly on my lower body - my feet a newer addition to my personal RSD family
I still get good relief from Lumbar blocks- much beter than upper body blocks.
Occasionaly I get a little flared from them but nothing I can't handle and the relief far outweighs the negative side effects of the procedure.

I would definitely suggest trying them out.
If they work for you they can be a great source of pain relief and
they can arrest the progress of this condition.

Good Luck

GnP

Ok, what I think I am hearing is that your doc did nerve blocks before your TOS surgery?
That is great !!!!
It should keep the RSD at bay and help prevent spread.
I had a lumbar block prior to my knee surgery and my knee is RSD free- pain free another story
Are they wanting to do more ?
Does someone other than yourself think you are in sympathetic overdrive?
How long post op are you ?

If you would like to PM me on this please do.
I had ribresections on both sides so I am, quite familiar with this territoty.

Best of luck
try to relax a little ...
GnP

Ok , one more question..
Do you already have RSD in the TOS affected limb?.

I can certainly understand why you are brief and to the point after what you have just been through

I know some people who have a quick resolution of their symptoms post op and others whose recuperations are slow and drag on and on.I was in the latter category but there were several other reasons for that despite having a great surgeon x2.

One of the oh so many problems with the combination TOS RSD diagnosis is that so many of the symptoms overlap.It IS often difficult to know one from the other.

Many people however without RSD in the affected limb ,and without a history of RSD, do develop RSD after a ribresection/scalenectomy.It is a rather common occurence as the stellate ganglion centre is so mangled ( sorry docs ) during surgery.



As you are seeing your doctor so soon why don't you discuss your concerns with him/her?

I would certainly consider erring on the side of caution.

If it walk and talks like a duck maybe just maybe it is one .
And ,if you have a legitimate chance of taking this bull by the horns and getting rid of it before it rears it's ugly head in another part of your body without too much physical harm to yourself( blocks aren't that bad)- I personally would JUMP ,RUN at it.

You do bring up a great point that it may be too soon to tell .And your doctor may just agree with you.
However if it were me.I would rather have a block for nothing than RSD for a lifetime.

Much peace
GNP

Hi Flippn'
I wish other's would add their 2 cents worth but that is up to them.

I did edit my first response to you due to my own confusion on the matter so you might want to have a reread.

I have had sympathectomies post TOS surgery and I have had several to many blocks subsequent to them, so I am not sure why you think there is a problem with having both procedures unless it has something to do with workmans comp.

Having said that I think discussing all this with your doctor is the best way to go.You have alot on your plate and having a soundind board that you trust to go over all of this with is a very good idea.
Physios are great at what they do but they are not diagnosticians and should not be confusing their role( and you) in your recovery.

Take that journal (so glad you are keeping one)to the docs and everything will work out just fine

Good Luck
Much peace
GnP

I haven't cuz I haven't had a sympathectomy and don't have any advice to give based on my nonexistent experience. It possibly could be the same for many, although I don't speak for everyont. That's not an extremely common procedure.

But I do agree he needs to discuss this with his doctor...and even with another one, for second and perhaps third opinions. Cant hurt.