confused about nerve block - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

LeftyKid · 06-20-2003, 10:35 PM

I am scheduled to have my first nerve block done on my right arm next week by a doctor I have never seen. I have been to this pain clinic once before for initial eval and the doc was so horrible that I asked my primary hand doc to request a different doc to do the block. When I called to make the appt, I asked if I would be sedated for the block and said that I had some other questions. They told me that I could ask the doc at the time of my appt just before the block.
Well, I'd kinda like to know a little about what's going to happen before I get there. Can any body tell me what its like to have a nerve block to your arm?
Was wondering things like:
Do they sedate you before inserting the needle?
How far in does the needle go into the neck? (to the spine?)
Will I have to have a series of blocks?
How do you feel afterward?
How does your arm feel afterward?
How long does it last?

Can anybody help with some answers? I'm pretty nervous and just want to know a little of what to expect. My block is Friday June 27th. Thanks!

stickgirl · 06-20-2003, 11:10 PM

When I went for my first block I had no idea what would happen. I had the same as you will have, ganglion blocks.

First make sure you will be sedated, ask and demand it. I have heard some don't. Mine did, I had no idea of wuestions to ask I was flying solo and no one had heard of them luckly i had great dr's.

Okay, you will/should get an iv, they will put a sedative in it to make you sleepy. Then with a xray type machine the doc will inject medicine into your neck, just above that bone. mine did 2 injections. I was asleep, woke up in recovery a while later could not drink or eat for 4 hrs. I came home slept, eat when I could. my arm was numb, hand very warm. Had a little temp gauge stuck on my hand to watch. I had no pain until the next day, some lasted as long as 36 hes for me. It is done weekly, I think cattys had 13 or 15, I only have had 9.

I hope I helped you, if not post again IO will be on during the weekend

Make a list of questions, take them with. make sure you are sedated, tell them don't ask!

Stickgirl

LeftyKid · 06-21-2003, 01:01 AM

Thanks for the info stickgirl - I feel a little less nervous knowing more about the process now.

Just one more quest - I know they go in just above the collar bone - does the needle actually go into your spine from there?

stickgirl · 06-21-2003, 10:06 AM

Oh gosh no! It does not touch your spine at all. It goes into the nerve in your arm, not sure which nerves that will have the injection for yours but mine was the ulnar nerve that was injected. There is the medium and ulnar nerves, plus lots more that I have no name for. The doc knows which nerve/nerves he needs to inject to help you. I always had 2 injection sites, I figure both were the unar nerve but who knows he may have injected the medium also. There are 2 major nerves in your arm, ulnar/medium (I believe).

It won't hit your spine at all, there are other nerve blocks that are given in the spine but those are for the legs I think.

Really it is not bad at all. The only thing is to make sure you will be sedated, there painful without it. I have read post where some have not been sedated and its horrible for them. You will come home sleep/rest for a while then eat like anything. Your hand will be warm/hot possibly even the arm. It will be numb, and hopefully no pain for a few days to never again. But they will be done weekly, and hopes that each one will last longer then the last.

I hope this has helped you.

Stickgirl

Soxy · 06-21-2003, 10:37 AM

Leftykid, I did not have the type of bloke you are going for but I did have the lumbar block for my feet. I was petrified and panicked. It was not bad at all. I was sedated throughout the procedure. I won't tell you it was the most comfortable experience but really it was no big deal at least for me. I've had 5 blocks and may have more. Before I had them my imagination was running wild. I wouldn't hesitate to have more if need be. Sorry I can't offer more info on the type you need but I know that others can. Take care and don't panic. Soxy

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