I am trying to remember how many blocks they have given me?? Is there a set limit?? or an amount that is really unhealthy to us with rsd.?? I have had people ask me why don't they put the block in your rsd limb and then I have heard u all say that's a no no?? Is this correct?

That is correct. Doing a block, called a bier block, into the rsd limb is a big no no! No doctor should ever do something like that because it will only make things worse.

As for how many blocks....there is no "set" limit in writing anywhere. I've known people who have gotten hundreds of them. That is really not good! The research I've done on it has said if you get into double digits of blocks you're asking for trouble, so to speak. The more times a needle stabs into the nerve bundle, the more scar tissue will build up and you are also doing more damage to the nerves themselves and doing damage that is permanent. RSD itself does permanent damage to nerve endings in as little as 6 months, but having excessive blocks does even more and hurts you in the long run.

Hugs,

Karen

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.

Hi. I had one lumbar sympethetic block which was not good for me and in the start before I knew it was rsd they thought it was tarsal tunnel and I had it in the limb which is a huge no. I now can't even allow a finger on there so I can't imagine an injection. Anyhow I have read that overtreating with blocks is not good but you can have many and I think it is supposed to get you to a point where with PT you won't need them. I do have a friend who got way too many of these and made her rsd spread.

I had 3 but was suppose to have a series of 15. I had a panic attack on the
3rd one and quit but they did help.

I know a girl who had over 150. She was in a wheelchair and they got her up walking but I was blown away by how many she'd had.

I think every Dr. does different with them. I think they may just give them at times to see how much improvement a person has and if they have none with so many then they quit.

I had a bier block when I had surgery for triggerfinger on my right arm which is my worst and the RSD didn't spread.

It's just different for every person and every Dr.

Ada