I know this is best to have done within the first 6 months. I though have had rsd and pn for 2 years and am getting my first one done tomorrow. Last week the iv lidocaine did nothing so now the block. I am behind in my invasive treatments because I have been thrown so may different options that were bigger like the spinal cord stimulator or catheter and was fearful but this new pain doc is working slower with me. I am hoping that the block will help so I can do another and start PT again. Can you tell me what it is going to be like the procedure,recovery,and outcomes people have experienced?It seems like these last if at all a very short time. My problem are is inner ankle/foot/calf of left the worst and right now as well. I just got my meds upped too so I am hoping some combo treatment will help. Thanks

hi daniella,,
i have had 3 lumbar blocks that was my first block.. for me what they did was i had iv sudation so i was sleepy when they did it.. it took about a 1/2 hour, my foot got very hot and my doc said that was good because that was suppose to happen my pain level went from a 6 to a 2. it lasted for about 2-4 days it was different with every block i got from any where to 50% to 30% relief but when i took my meds i was very comfortable really didnt have pain. my only complaint was my back hurt where they did the injection.. i could not lay on my back or sit with my back against something, it really hurt.. that lasted about 2 days. i really hope that the block will help you and give you pain relief,, like you i have been offerd alot it has been the catheter for 5 days in the hospital or scs. good luck and take care let us know how it goes.. michelle

Getting any relief will depend on whether or not your pain is SIP or SMP. Blocks give relief to Sympathetically Maintained Pain but for how long varies from person to person. If the pain is Sympathetically Independent there is no relief at all. The only affect would be the skin being normal temp and color for awhile. This is all it did for me. I had my one and only block done just over a year after it started. I got no relief from pain at all. It was a disaster in other ways and that's why I only had the one.

They use flouroscopy which is a big word for live x-ray. This helps the doc place the block in the exact spot it needs to go. Most docs knock you out for a couple of minutes while it's done. My leg was completely numb for around 10 hours after so I couldn't walk or anything. They usually keep you there for awhile after the block to check leg temp and to make sure you won't have any adverse side effects. It's advised you rest completely for the first 24 hours or so. If it does give you relief from the pain then resting will allow the block to do its job and interrupt the cycle. Other than that spot on your lower back being a bit sore, as Michelle mentioned, there shouldn't be any problems.

Hugs,

Karen

Thank you for your help and thoughts. I am feeling very mixed on this but I hope it will give some direction and relief and no more problems. I will keep you updated. Just trying to distract till my mom comes in an hour or so to pick me up. Anxiety,pain,lack of sleep makes for not a very happy person. Hugs to all

Most Drs. do blocks in a series. The more you get the better they do if they are going to work at all. I had 3 but was suppose to have 15. I had a panic attack on the 3rd one so bad that we decided to quit them but the 3 helped. My were for my upper half.

I had RSD 3 years before it was diagnosed so the theory that they have to be done within the first 6 months I feel is not right. I know of several around here that had blocks long after RSD and they helped.

We use to have an RSD group here and one of the girls had RSD for over 30 years and I talked her into going to see the Anesteolgist and she told me later it was like a miracle for her. They helped get her pain level way down.

I really think too it depends on the meds they use and the Dr. that does it. I have seen several PM drs. that didn't even offer them to me but when my hand surgeon suggested this Anesteolgist I went to him. I think they know more on how to do them. My opinion of PM Drs. are very low. It's just me but here in Co. we seem to have a lot of rejects.

I hope the blocks do give you the relief you need to feel better.

Ada

Right there with you about the doctors. I had one other pm suggest the blocks but the others just wanted to do a scs or catheter. For myself because I have rsd but also pn and possible other which I have no idea and have basically exhausted all my diagnostic testing and specialty docs. It makes me concerned about what and how we are treating me because of possible setting off other conditions while treating one if I make any sense. I am not a test bunny which I feel many docs will just use us as. Or the lack of accountability. Like if one is in more pain from something oh well see you in 2 weeks. I agree that the right doctor and procedure done properly is like a blessing. Thanks for your thoughts and sorry for my rant. Will see hoping to feel a somewhat normal set of legs cause I can't remember that anymore and no more problems.