Just wondering- my RSD has spread from feet to arms wrists/hands.
Im thinking of trying an upper block -has anyone had good results with a block in an area where it spread to?

Thanks

Debbie

just bumping this for debbie.

Hey Deb,
I had the upper SGB's last year from Jan thru May. He does a series of 6 on each side if needed. I had to have it done for both hands & I have faxed in him a new referral from the PM. A different doctor does the blocks. They did help. ALOT!! I am just now, well over the last month or 2 starting to have the tingling & burning start in my hands & forearms again. Anyway, it helped so much that like I said I am going to have them done again. They do one a week. And last time I had to deal with their vacation time off & sick times for me. That is why it took me so long. It would take a total of 12 weeks to have them done on both sides. This is how my doctors do it. Another might do it differently

I would say it halted the progress. I am not waiting for it to become full blown RSD spread before having the SGB's done. It might be too late to help me by then I figure. The LSB's for my feet didn't help much at all. Why I don't know. I do know that I am afraid to have it done on my low back again cause they hurt so bad to have them done the first time around.

Love ya,
DebbyV

Debbie,
I had 3 SGB's and they helped me a lot. I couldn't have as many as was needed do to a bad reaction but the ones I had were a blessing.

Some people say they don't do any good after you have RSD for so many months but I know better. I had a friend that had RSD for 30 some years and I talked her in to going to my Anestelogist and she called me up and said it was the best thing she ever did. She couldn't believe how good she felt and she was on so many meds at the time, she couldn't stay in her chair.

Have them done, I bet you won't be sorry.

Good luck,
Ada

Thanks so much for your replys- I just have some questions- When they do the block I guess it covers one arm only? I think I will be put out for this procedure? DId it work for you after the first one or did it take a couple of times?

Thanks

Deb

Deb,
I had someone tell me just the other day that they weren't put to sleep for them but I was. I was hooked up to an IV and then given the block. I can't quite remember if the first one worked or not, I just know I had 3 and I saw a great difference. It's a good thing I did because I had a bad reaction to the block but that's me. If anyone will, I will. The Anesteolgist said he'd never seen anyone have a bad reaction to one. He stayed with me until I came out of it. I sometimes think I had a panic attack when I came out of the anestesia. They wanted to do 15 more on me but then he decided not to so I was lucky the ones I had worked.

Last year when I had my rotator cuff surgery they did a block on me before the surgery. I saw that needle coming at me and I told him not before I'm out and he said don't worry you will be and then I was gone. It kept the RSD from coming out that time. I also had one when I had the 3 inches of muscle taken out from under my left arm. It too kept the RSD from coming out. The only time I really feel my RSD is when the weather changes anymore. Then you start begging for help, no meds do the job.

I have RSD in both arms and the shot seemed to do the job for both sides but maybe other ones can have a better answer for that one. I think on my left side it's what they call mirrored pain.

Have a good evening.
Ada

Thanks for the info Ada- Hope you are feeling ok...

Debbie

Deb, I thought you were not allowed to be put to sleep for thes blocks?? hmmmmmm?? I also heard if you have so many, there could be scar tissue and the Dr. won't do anymore? Love, Desi

sorry, I called ya Deb!! I meant Ada

Debbie,
I have not been put completely out, but I am so deep in lalalala land that I don't care what they do to be honest. I know what they are doing but I don't really feel anything. I go home & sleep that day and the next like a baby. *LOL* But if I would have to stay awake I can do that also.

And yes I think they do help. They only do one side at a time. I have the side that feels the worst done first. I think when I had it done in '06 for my hands & wrists it worked better than it has this year. Why that is I have no idea.

DebbyV