Ok, team......I have avoided asking this.....I would prefer to remain in denial (kind of) but I have a question. I had my first sympathetic nerve block in my back on Friday. I was amazed that my back did not hurt at all afterwards. Beginning Saturday evening, I started noticing twinges in my back in the area of my injection. It came and went until today, when I notice it any time I try to bend over or move around. It aches slightly while I'm lying down (nothing severe.....feels like "nerve pain".....like a mild version of when you bump your funny bone).

My GP looked at the injection site today......said it looked fine (but I had broken out in a rash where the bandaid had been). Has anyone else experienced this days after a block??? I am probably being paranoid but I'm scared the RSD is spreading to my injection site. I'm supposed to have my second nerve block Wednesday. There is no redness (except where the bandaid was) and I can't tell if it's hot or not (I feel kind of flushed all over.....been hot/cold all day). Please someone tell me I'm worried for nothing!!

The injection site is probably just healing. Like it would after any injection or shot.

Oh.....thank you!!! I have worked myself into a severe migraine I've been so upset today. I've taken every med known to man and it will not go away. I pray for sleep very, very soon. How many of these blocks have you had??? Thanks again!!!

Mom in Pain

Afterm my lumbar sympathetic block I was in a lot of pain for about a week. I could hardly move and felt as though I had been trampled by a herd of horses!! In the UK they are much less inclined to give sedation for this procedure - I had none at all - just the local anaesthetic injected at the site of the injection. Although the needle doesn't enter the spine so its not as invasive and painful as an epidural or lumbar puncture, it still passes through a lot of muscles and other soft tissue so you can expect it to be pretty painful afterwards. I'd keep an eye though and let your doc know if you feel unhappy about the healing process.

I have had an epidural before and I too got back pain afterwards. I still have pain in the lower back area and after speaking to my, Pain MAnagement Doctor, he said I could have something called 'Remembered Pain' which is where the nerves can still remember how it felt whilst having the epidural. When my mum had me, she had an epidural also and has the same type of pain as me. My doctor said it's quite a common complaint after epidural etc. I hope you feel better soon and I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

Thank you, hon!! I actually DO feel better today (emotionally and physically). My back isn't twinging like it was......just in time for my second injection tomorrow!! I've had some nasty headaches, but I've always had those so it's nothing new. I'll mention it all to him tomorrow but I feel certain you were all right and that it's nothing to be concerned about. I DO think the injection has helped.....a little......I'm curious to see how I do after this second one!! I'll take baby steps on my way to recovery or mobility if I need to!!!

I'm sorry I never wrote you back after your last reply to me. I meant to, got really tired the other night, and then fell apart yesterday and wasn't in the position to talk to anyone. You are such a sweetie and I appreciate all your input on this forum!!

Holy cow!!! No sedation??? That is horrible. I was pretty much OUT of it......I am hyper so they dosed me up really well. The only thing I remember was that liquid acid fire they injected into my IV (AFTER they gave me the drowsy meds, I may add.....a rude awakening with some pretty colorful explicatives on my part). I would imagine that would make you hurt WORSE......being tense and awake while the needle went in. I'm so sorry for you. Did you have more than one??? How long did they wait for your second???

I thought it was MORE invasive than an epidural (or at least more risky) because it was going straight into the ganglion root??? I have no idea......I'm just glad I was out for it.

My second injection is tomorrow. I hope it works. My symptoms seem to be coming back more than I realized they had gone. I SWEAR my cute little toes have gotten bigger on that foot.

To be honest the sympathetic block was no hassle at all - I honestly don't know what the fuss is about!

It doesn't enter any joints so it is nothing more than an intra-muscular injection albeit with a very long needle. It is certainly much less invasive than an epidural and the risks are considerably lower.

There was no sedation, just a local anaesthetic injected where the needle went in - this means there can be no pain. As the needle is pushed further in, the anaesthetist puts more local down the needle each time you can start to feel it. This is normal in the UK - honestly, sedation is totally unnecessary for the vast majority of people. Some countries like the US and France are much more pro-drugs. They had to do mine twice because the needle was in slightly the wrong place but it made no difference - once the area has been anaesthetised then you feel nothing but a bit of pressure.

I only had one block. It made no difference to my pain levels so I got no useful therapeutic outcome (as with many people) but it did confirm the CRPS diagnosis so there was no point in repeating the procedure. I think they are much more gung-ho about repeating these blocks over and over again in the US than they are in the UK. The view here is that it is also a bit pointless to do them as close together as yours are because it gives no time for the block to settle and no opportunity to see what happens therapeutically over a few weeks.

I think sometimes doctors repeat these over and over because they can't think of anything else to do/try. Patients go through with that because they are scared and want to feel that the doc is "doing something".

A lot of people get no benefit whatsover from the blocks so I'd urge you to take stock after tomorrow's block and really think about whether you are getting any therapeutic benefit for your pain and other symptoms. There are plenty of people who have all sorts of horror stories from repeated pointless blocks.

Good luck anyway.

Talk through with your doctor his true reason for doing these blocks and for doing them so close together so that you are absolutely sure that it makes sense if he suggests any more.

Gymjunkie,

I've had one SGB and even though I was partially sedated it was horribly painful. The needle was injected through the exact middle of my neck until it reached my cervical spine at C6, piercing my esaphagus, windpipe, and whatever else was in its path. I was unable to eat or drink for many hours afterwards because my throat kept spasming. I am not looking forward to my 2nd vlock, which is scheduled for tomorrow.

When you say that your SNB was not successful yet rendered a positive diagnosis of RSD, what do you mean? I thought the terms "unsuccessful" and "positive dx of RSD" could not be mutually exclusive.

thanks for your explanation - I am still learning - Sandy

Gymjunkie,
I've had a bit of improvement in the amount of allodynia since my first block. I'm not looking for radical improvment.......ANYTHING would be appreciated. I look at them as stepping stones. If each one settles the sympathetic nervous system a bit more, it could potentially put me into "remission". I've read several articles (albeit, by US docs) that indicate that aggressive blocks in someone who has JUST gotten RSD (I've only had it a month) has the best prognosis. How long into your disease did you get your block??? I'm so sorry it didn't work for you.

I am, and always have been, an extremely anxious person. I have actually passed out cold getting an epidural injection for back pain while lying on my stomach (apparently, not easy to do). I also tend to tense up when I'm nervous or anxious, so sedating me is wise in my case. Part of what exacerbates RSD is stress, so being calm and relaxed during the injection is most beneficial.

I guess each person is different. I would be petrified to have the injection without sedation......I'm glad my doc gives me that option. I get Novocaine when I have a filling done and I had epidurals with each of my kids. I figure I'm in enough pain already.....I don't need to prove anything to anyone.

He's going to do two more next week and then reevaluate. If I show no more improvement (or very little) he won't do more. If it helps further, he will do up to 8 and then stop. I feel comfortable with this course of action and hope beyond hope that this makes my pain more tolerable and gives me back more mobility.

I appreciate your input and response!! I hope they find another course of action that will reduce your pain levels.