What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition characterized by severe pain following injury to bone and soft tissue. The International Association for the Study of P...
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Nerve block failures
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I went to the doctor and now they are going to schedule my second nerve block. I feel foolish because i thought that the nerve block would help and now it looks like this maybe another cycle that i must go thru for some reason. I had been warned that that it probably wouldn't help by others and if anything make the pain worse. If a person has a sympathetic nerve block and if the pain goes away for a while and then comes back will this confirm a RSD diagnosis? I have another question. How will nerve meds like neurotin or hydrocodone stop the burning i am feeling? Is there any meds that will help this?
Posted on 04/15/09, 09:04 pm |
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Just my opinion: I had nerve blocks that worked miracles for RSD in my hand. Sent it into remission. When it flared again 2 years later, nerve blocks worked miracles again. Back in remission.
But - now I am sure that I have RSD in my legs. I had 2 nerve blocks and they didn't work. The dr wanted to try yet another one. IN my opnion - they either work or don't work! There's no reason to continue them if they don't work. I am going to a new specialist tomorrow as a matter of fact - I refused the next block. Keep in mind - the nerve blocks bring in LOTS of $$$$ to these drs, so that motivates them to push the blocks. If they work they are fantastic - but if they don't work, and you feel you are being "pushed" don't be afraid to say so. Nerve blocks can be a diagnostic tool as well - sometimes they can see a decrease in the physical signs of RSD afterwards, even if it doesn't help your pain. And I have heard of people having to go for a series of blocks before they take effect for the pain. But if you get absolutely NO result from the first block, I don't know if I would get another. That's JUST MY OPINION. I am definitely NOT A DR. If the nerve blocks stopped relieving pain from my hand I would obviosuly refuse them. But for me they were a miracle. I have been dealing with this for a long time now - and it feels like there has been a sudden influx of doctors into the pain management specialty. It used to be hard to find someone, but alot of these new doctors saw dollar signs when they realized how much money nerve blocks were making. They are not in it for the genuine committment to patients in pain. Remember - how much $$$$$ do they make for writng a prescription? I haven't found anything that relieves the burning. Neurontin never worked for my hand - so I am afraid to try it for my legs. Hydrocodone takes the edge off of pain - but I think it stops working if you take it all the time. It all stinks. If anyone has a miracle tip for relieving the burning I would love to hear it. Sorry for the rambling.....long story short: Nerve blocks CAN be financially motivated by the dr - so get a second opinion if you feel like you are being "pushed" into it. 
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I THINK I HAVE THAT. MY BODY IS ON FIRE. THE BURNING WONT STOP. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IC, BUT I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG WITH ME.
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I just had my first nerve block today for my leg(RSD), and the pain is even worse, burning feeling is way worse. Doc said that burning feeling is normal and it's a result of improved blood circulation. Ohh eah right!! My leg use to be on fire now it's on SUPER fire))))
I curious should i give it a second try?
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The only thing that has helped with my burning pain is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. You are put into a special chamber where you breathe 100% oxygen that is pressurized to greater than one atmosphere(sea level). Different sea levels/depths work on rsd:shallow depths work to heal injuried tissue and bone and deeper depths work on the nerve/brain connection. It is not fda approved(only 14 conditions are) for rsd so that means that you would have to find a free standing clinic in your area and it is not covered by insurance. It might not work for you, but I have had 17 hbots treatments and it is working well for me. It would not hurt to look into it. Good luck and God bless.
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I had my 1st nerve block about 17 days ago & it has been great in helping with the overall symptoms. I still have to deal with the arthritis in the knee though which sucks but I haven't had to use my wheelchair at work since I got the block, just using my arm crutches. Today has been the 1st day I've been in real pain again & I'm scared that the effects of the nerve block are going away & I'll need another one. It's so scarey & fustrating when I still have to work full time because of all the bills. The doc won't give me very many Hydrocodone pills because he said that the FDA are watching them so close nowdays...that sucks! How are doctor's suppose to help actual patients in real pain??! Bet if those politicians had it wouldn't be that way! I'm still new to this so I'm still learning & tryig to find support on here
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