Nerve blocks - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

AmericanGirl · 07-10-2002, 11:33 AM

I've had 4 stellate ganglion nerve blocks for RSD in my upper right extremity. Minimal relief from them. Does anyone know if it's possible I may benefit by having more blocks or is it pretty much safe to say they aren't going to work if these 4 didn't already?

any comments or experience is appreciated.

dawnfromWA · 07-11-2002, 01:03 AM

Good evening Shawnee,

It is very nice to meet you, thank you for your kind words in response to my post. Sometimes it helps to have someone who can honestly relate to your pain tell you to keep your chin up.

I had 3 ganglion blocks for my right leg. The first one I had about 4 hours of reduced pain, the second might have been a hour and the third didn't do a whole lot. With all three the temperature in my leg increased so the doctor was confident about the block. After the third one my doctor said there wasn't any sense in doing more because of the minimal relief it gave me. As we all know any surgical procedure can cause this evil disease to spread so why take the risk if it's not giving considerable relief. I have spoke to a few people that the blocks were great for them and then there are those of us that it is worthless. I guess if you do enough research you will find opinions that say "yes" keep doing them and those that say "don't". I think it is more or less a decision you have to talk over with your doctor. Does your doctor want you to have more?

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My prayers are with you. The more people we educate about RSD the more chances that just one of them may find a way to help us all.

AmericanGirl · 07-11-2002, 08:49 AM

Hi, Dawn-

My doctor hasn't mentioned doing more nerve blocks..he's just at the point of "you're going to have to learn to live with it" and I wondered if trying the blocks again might help. Who knows, right?

I see a hand surgeon also. Two weeks ago, he injected cortisone into my wrist thinking I may have carpal tunnel along with RSD. Wednesday of last week, I was at another docs office for another reason and it was so cold there, I noticed both my hands started hurting really bad. Still to this day, they hurt so bad. I wonder if this is from the injection, too? They hurt all the time but, this is more intense than usual. I see him again tomorrow...maybe we can get this figured out. He's the one who thinks I should have surgery for the carpal tunnel and this will help the RSD "burn itself out".

Just call me Guinea Pig

Laughter is the best medicine.
(gentle hugs)
Shawnee

dawnfromWA · 07-16-2002, 02:00 AM

Shawnee,

If this doctor of yours is truly convinced that RSD can "burn itself out" then run as fast as you can to another doctor

Without proper treatment early on this disease will go no where nor get better. Only worsen and move to other parts of the body. Only because I to hand a doctor that felt like he was gonna solve all my problems with a shot of cortisone in my hip can I honestly say that YES that shot could very likly of made it worsen. After my shot in my right hip my entire right leg swelled, was frozen to the bone, my leg stayed a purleish color (whyen it was cold) or red (when it felt like it was gonna burst into flames) and the pain was so severe that I cried for a week. That pain has never gone away it only spread to my left leg. It was about 4 days after the shot that I began having symptoms in my left leg.

When you go to this doctor tomorrow take any and all the info. you have or search and print some stuff off for you to take him to read. [url="http://www.rsdrx.com"]www.rsdrx.com[/url] is a really good site. If he still thinks that you need surgery request a second opinion.

Write again tomorrow and let me know what happens. My prayers are with you.

Dawn

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My prayers are with you. The more people we educate about RSD the more chances that just one of them may find a way to help us all.

AmericanGirl · 07-16-2002, 07:35 AM

Thanks for your replies. The doctor who says RSD burns out has decided to refer me back to Dr. Hooshmand in Vero Beach. I started out with Hooshmand when I was first diagnosed. It's just a trip for me to get to his office. But, one I am willing to take to try and get some treatment for this.

Last night, my knees hurt so bad...burning. Could hardly stand or bend. I pray the RSD is not going to start claiming my legs. This is so hard to understand.

Keeping hopeful--
Shawnee