Pain increase after a nerve block? - Pain Management Message Board

brianpain33 · 05-02-2009, 10:21 PM

First of all I made it through my nerve block, see the post on the Chronic Pain board. However, after 24 hours my pain went from 0 to a 7 or 8 and I was really hurting. I had to take a Percocet on top of Vicodin along with my regular fentanyl patch dose. The nurse said that sometimes this does happen and to call if the pain is unbearable.

What has been a person's experience with nerve blocks? Has your pain gotten worse after the treatment and then slowly subsided?

brian

Jema X · 05-03-2009, 06:09 AM

Hi Brian,

I'm sorry that this has happened and yes, I have been through the same experience. The last time I had a nerve block I was in a lot more pain than usual - it lasted over a week - and then the pain subsided and I could feel the effects of the block. This sometimes happens when they hit the nerve and irritate it with the needle, it should subside within about 48 hours.

How are you feeling today? Has the pain subsided at all? If it lasts longer than 48 hours or so, I'd call the dr - even if only because you may need more bt meds or to explain their increased use. I find that baths and heat packs help and also anti inflammatories if there is some tissue damage. It makes sense that a nerve may react badly to further trauma...but it should pass, so try not to worry.

Let us know how you go, I was thinking about you on Saturday (Friday for you) and am disappointed that you've had a flare up. I hope you're feeling better.

brendaks1 · 05-03-2009, 09:00 AM

Brian,

I have had 4 selective nerve root blocks, and one time I had this happen where my pain went skyrocketing for a couple days afterwards. I used ice and pain meds and it settled down after a couple of days. I then went on to enjoy about a week of some pain relief from the steriods before my regular pain returned.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

emmie54 · 05-03-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianpain33

First of all I made it through my nerve block, see the post on the Chronic Pain board. However, after 24 hours my pain went from 0 to a 7 or 8 and I was really hurting. I had to take a Percocet on top of Vicodin along with my regular fentanyl patch dose. The nurse said that sometimes this does happen and to call if the pain is unbearable.

What has been a person's experience with nerve blocks? Has your pain gotten worse after the treatment and then slowly subsided?

brian

Brian, it's not quite the same thing, but I had an injection in my ankle joint one time and experienced horrible pain for about three days. My doc said it was a "steroid flare" and for some unknown reason this occurs occasionally when one receives steroids. I've had injections since that were fine.

Hope you feel better soon.

emmie

brianpain33 · 05-04-2009, 03:35 PM

Well the pain has decreased dramatically and the nerve must have calmed down. "bad nerve, bad, don't you do that again"

ooops I am talking to myself again. It's hard to tell where my pain level is since I still have to take the same amount of meds to cover the pain in my other foot. I have not noticed too much pain at all in my right foot so maybe it is helping. I hope that it does not go away after a week like the other poster said. I go for another one in 2 weeks for the other foot. I will keep everyone posted.

Has there been anyone that the nerve block helped your pain for a long period of time?

brian