[lisalee]

after recently being diagnosed wth crps, it was suggested that I go through with 2-3 stellate
ganglion blocks. I have had the first one with no success. In fact I feel worse. the pain has moved
further up my arm and my hand has gotten worse(any of the progress I had made in O.T. has vanished)
I am scheduled to have my 2nd block this week. I am very reluctant to proceed with another block.
I have talked to my Dr. and he suggests 1 more, and if it doesn't work we won't go ahead with the 3rd. I have been miserable since the 1st one, do I go ahead and try the 2nd and hope for the best?
I have worked so hard to try and overcome/beat this and it's very discouraging to think that I've lost
the last few months with one block! Also, is it possible that this has actually moved further up my arm
because of the block? I have a very supportive family but it would be helpful to talk to someone who really understands what I'm going through. lee

[anita060605]

HI, I would get a second opinion about that! I had one and it made mine worse also. The RSD had only been in my legs before, now it's in my arms also. I started getting symptoms within a day or so of the blocks. Just remember, it's your body and you make the decisions. Your doctor(s) work FOR YOU! Make sure you are comfortable with any procedure before you allow it. Good luck and have a great day!

[icesk8er]

If you are not getting any relief from the blocks, and they are making your RSD worse I would suggest going for a second opinon before going ahead with another block. I had relief after my first block (even though it only gave me temporary relief). It is hard to say whether or not the block caused your RSD to spread further up your arm. Before my RSD had spread to my foot, my foot would react (after the block) and give me severe pain after 3 of the blocks that I had even though 2 others turned out fine, this baffled the doctor and eventually my RSD spread into my foot a few months later, they do not belive that the blocks caused the severe pain in my foot. My doctor's guess is that my RSD had just been slowly spreading to my foot, and I didn't reconize the pain when the block wasn't giving the rest of my leg relief. Good luck!

[perceypor]

Everyone is different, however, I would stay away from the s.g. blocks. If you already have your diagnosis. Research rsd, every mention of the sg blocks are for diagnostic purposes only. They do make it worse. I took a block in my right shoulder, and my right hand went out for a walk, and has not come back yet (2003). By no means am I telling you not to listen to your docs recomendations, what I am telling you to do is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. The body knows what is good and what is bad. If you go worse after the blocks, then it is bad. You are in enough pain without adding more. Tell your doc it made it worse, tell him you want something else. You have to be in control! Document everything - everyword, every appointment. You will need this. This is the most important element to diagnoising/treating/disability for rsd patients. Since it involves the nerves and the true pain cannot be seen or measured, they assume it's not there. Life changing pain, pain that causes abandonment, financial loss, depression and in some cases suicided. Are you going to let someone tell you have to manage this - no - you tell them. They are there for you - if we weren't in pain, they wouldn't have jobs. Did you know that RSD pain ranks higher on the pain scale than cancer pain? Cancer patients have and get what they need - no questions asked. They have walks, fund raisers, television shows, books etc. What do we have for RSD? NOTHING. That is why we have to get it ourselves.

Hope this helps
Sabrina

[Ngara]

I was just diagnosed and my doctor wants me to get a s.g. block this Monday. Now I'm terrified! My crps started in my pinky, moved up to my elbow and has progressed up to my shoulder and neck. It has also started moving to my ring finger. He didn't say anything about the possibility of it making me worse--- only better. My OT keeps saying a block could lead to remission! Are these people delusional?

Please advise! I'm really scared.

[anita060605]

It is my understanding they really CAN help if they are done with in a very short time after the ONSET of you GETTING RSD/CRPS. If it has been longer than 6 months to a year, I would be very cautious! I had mine 13 months after my original injury and now I have it everywhere but my back (but I have 4 ruptured discs there...so it doesn't really matter, right! lol) Mine spread again 2 weeks ago for no reason at all it seems so now it is in my hands and a lot worse in my arms. My advice to anyone is to check in the support group databases with RSDHope.org and RSDSA.org and try to find a group in your area, if there isn't one you can join an online group. We started one for the Kansas City area and it is really working wonders for all of us. Try it out if you can find one in your area. Talking to others in person is quite a healing tool. My heart goes out to you, I hope all goes well! Remember YOU are in charge! Don't let your doctor(s) bully you around like I did in the first year or so, it is YOUR body!!

[Ngara]

Thank you for your reply! I guess that is why they moved so fast in this... I was injured in late May and my first observable symptoms started in early August. I knew something was wrong in June because I started passing out and losing weight rapidly but my doctors just thought it was anxiety.... or that it had something to do with my epilepsy. So... I'm scared but I guess tomorrow is S.G. block day! I hate needles and I am having so many 2nd thoughts but I can't really figure out if I'm just being a big baby or if I really just have a "bad" feeling about the whole thing. My OT really believes that this will put me in remission and my doctor says that I either have a mild case or that I'm responding extremely well to therepy. I went for nearly two months without a doctor becasue we couldn't find one! He just happened to move here from ST. Louis and just happened to be a speacilist in crps! A miracle in itself! He saw me the day after my insurance papers went through on his lunch break because he said we couldn't wait another day and he was gentle and wonderful (young!) but WONDERFUL! So I'm terrified, but this is a terrifying syndrome-- I can't believe this has all stemmed from just slamming my pinkie in the car door! I feel so stupid! We were at McDonalds of all places!! Someday I will laugh about that, Right??

N

[crabby0713]

lol.....i slammed my thumb in my car door!!! at dunkin donuts :) talk about feeling like an idiot!!
oh well, bottom line is that we have rsd and we have to recover!!
i know the sound of the blocks are scary, but they DO work. unfortunatley i was in a bad state to begin w/ and then the car accident really put me over the edge!
you have to try though. you will never know if it's going to help you until you have it done. hopefully b/c you have a mild case it will only take one to put you into remission!! ( i am keeping everything crossed for you)
i know it's frustrating and trust me, i know the feeling of "am i over reacting"? bottom line is that what we have hurts and we are entitled to feel the way we feel!!!
i can't tell you how many days i've cried and cried and cried. but that's what i needed to do to get through it. and trust me, i still ball my eyes out almost every other day. it sucks!!!
talking about helps.
wel WILL get better!! unfortunatley it's just a slow moving process!!!

[anita060605]

I happen to agree with the person who replied to your post as well. You sound like you have a mild case and you were diagnosed early and that makes all the difference in the world! Count your blessings! I hope you let us know how it goes for you. I do have to say the blocks don't hurt when they are being done...so don't be afraid of that at all. I can't say go for it or don't, I'm not your doc, but it sounds like they know what they are talking about. My doctors apparently didn't, they should have began with the blocks instead of waiting for a year and an half. I wish you the best and hope to hear from you again to find out how it goes for you!

[Ngara]

Thank you all for your kind relplies. This site has been such a haven in the last few days (I just found it!).
I had the block this morning! My doctor is incredibly gentle and even put the IV in for the nurse because I was so nervous and have zip for viens-- they are so small and hard to find. The block itself was overwhelmingly painful. ** But I have extreme anxiety over needles and medical procedures and I have never been sick before. So this is just hard stuff for me. He did not use a sedative because I took a zanax before I came. I couldn't handle it each time he had to take a picture and I screamed at him! I told him not to touch that needle again! I was sobbing and that made it worse because my neck and throat was tighening up... It was not what I was expecting.
My face went a little droopy but not bad - and my arm did not go numb at all. I went to OT right after and worked fairly hard. By the time the local wore off I was in pain around the injection site- I'm sure this is normal.... swallowing, turning my head.... I just thought I would be numb in my arm! I guess I was hoping for it.
I don't know if I will go back for another at least not without more of a sedative--- at least I will see how the next few days go.
Thanks to everyone for being here! You all are in my prayers each night-- I hope that does not offend and if so just know that I'm sending warm fuzzies to all who have this pain.