Hi SunshineGirl,

I had the Bier nerve block that Karen mentioned when I was initially diagnosed with RSD. My Pain Management Doctor injected directly into my RSD limb with a drug called Guanethidine and it made me sooo much worse!!

Before I had the block, I could just about manage to hobble around on crutches. It was extremely slow but I could walk sort of. After I had the block though, all of that went and I was left wheelchair bound for 13 months and had to undergo intense Physical Therapy to learn how to walk again.

My Doctor kept telling me that the Guanethidine block couldn't cause those sort of reactions and that it must be something else, even though my mum later found an article on the internet stating that you should NEVER inject into an RSD limb.

I later developed an ingrown toenail on my RSD foot and had to have it removed. The doctor did a ring block directly into my big toe and I developed severe Myoclonic Spasms/Jerks from it. It was only then when my doctor started believing that it must have been the block that caused the reactions.

I have been told that I have the most hypersensitive nerves my doctor has ever seen and that I should avoid all invasive procedures on my RSD limbs at all costs unless I absolutely have to as it will only probably make things a lot worse.

If I was you, I would stay well clear from any blocks into your RSD limbs as I know from experience that it can make you a damn site worse!! I'd hate to see you have to go through what I did as it was awful!! There's a lot of articles on the internet now stating NEVER to inject into RSD limbs ... it's a shame we didn't see it at the time but I guess when someone tells you something might work and reduce your pain, you are going to get it!!!

Take care of yourself and I hope you are doing well! If you have any questions, please let me know!!

Ali.