Re: Nerve block?

[Guest guest]

Has anyone ever had a "nerve block?" I'm to have one Wednesday, or sooner if there is a cancellation. I'd like to hear from anyone who has had one.

For me, the procedure is important to relieve current pain from a severe case of shingles and to improve my chances of avoiding long-term chronic pain (from shingles) in the future. Shingles varies greatly in its intensity and its long-term effects. Those of us who are immuno-suppressed have a high risk of severe pain lasting long after the initial attack, perhaps permanently.

This incident involving getting treatment is something to keep in mind if you have difficulties with a hospital. I belong to a Kaiser in a large city. My GP is very highly regarded, hard-working, compassionate, and involved. She even calls me at home at night on her own time. I needed this nerve block, and I needed it fast; if it is done promptly, the success rate is nearly 100%. Later, that rate drops to 30%. That could mean a lifetime of disabling pain. Now, I find myself bawling out loud, just plain blubbering like a two-year-old from the pain. This isn't my style. I'm taking as much pain killer as is safe short-term; it would not be safe long-term for someone with liver problems. In general, my pain tolerance is extremely high.

My doctor sent an appointment request to the pain management people and anestheologists, telling them my situation was urgent. I sat at home by the phone, ready to go in at a moment's notice. Nothing happened. Eventually, looking at the HMO site for the time of an unrelated appointment, I saw that I'd been given a FEBRUARY 3 appointment. 2/03 when I'd hoped for, expected, something a couple of days ago. I called my doctor and left a message. Before I finished leaving the message, I was sobbing too hard to complete the call properly. An hour or two later, she got back to me, saying (and I believe her completely), that she'd called every possible resource, begging for an earlier slot for me, and was told nothing could be done. In the meantime, I'd called my husband. He was in town, having cancelled a New York/San Francisco trip so he could be around to help me. I'd told him thanks, but I didn't need help. I was wrong. My husband tracked down the relevant phone numbers (not an easy job), got on the phone, wouldn't get off the phone, quietly and firmly told the pain management people that we would just come and sit on their doorstep until we got an appointment. He got an appointment for me on Wednesday, with the promise that if any earlier cancellation came up I would have the space. I couldn't believe it. This is a guy who has trouble making a haircut appointment.

I guess the point is to not give up, and if the designated channels don't work it's worth trying something else. As my husband said, whatever calls he could make wouldn't hurt my case, wouldn't lose me the appointment that was so far away it might be useless, so he might as well try.

Harper

[Guest guest]

Oh WOW Harper…please disregard the last note I sent. Indeed,

you are one of the strongest people in this group! You can tolerate a LOT

of pain…more than most! But to reduced to sobbing….my gosh,

my heart goes out to you! Let us know if you get an appointment any

earlier!

Debby

Re: [ ]

Nerve block?

Has anyone ever had a " nerve

block? " I'm to have one Wednesday, or sooner if there is a

cancellation. I'd like to hear from anyone who has had one.

For me, the procedure is important

to relieve current pain from a severe case of shingles and to improve my

chances of avoiding long-term chronic pain (from shingles) in the future.

Shingles varies greatly in its intensity and its long-term effects. Those

of us who are immuno-suppressed have a high risk of severe pain lasting long

after the initial attack, perhaps permanently.

This incident involving getting

treatment is something to keep in mind if you have difficulties with a

hospital. I belong to a Kaiser in a large city. My GP is very

highly regarded, hard-working, compassionate, and involved. She even

calls me at home at night on her own time. I needed this nerve block, and

I needed it fast; if it is done promptly, the success rate is nearly 100%.

Later, that rate drops to 30%. That could mean a lifetime of disabling

pain. Now, I find myself bawling out loud, just plain blubbering like a

two-year-old from the pain. This isn't my style. I'm taking as much

pain killer as is safe short-term; it would not be safe long-term for someone

with liver problems. In general, my pain tolerance is extremely

high.

My doctor sent an

appointment request to the pain management people and anestheologists,

telling them my situation was urgent. I sat at home by the phone, ready

to go in at a moment's notice. Nothing happened. Eventually,

looking at the HMO site for the time of an unrelated appointment, I saw that

I'd been given a FEBRUARY 3 appointment. 2/03 when I'd hoped for,

expected, something a couple of days ago. I called my doctor and left a

message. Before I finished leaving the message, I was sobbing too hard to

complete the call properly. An hour or two later, she got back to me,

saying (and I believe her completely), that she'd called every possible

resource, begging for an earlier slot for me, and was told nothing could

be done. In the meantime, I'd called my husband. He was in town,

having cancelled a New York/San Francisco trip so he could be around to help

me. I'd told him thanks, but I didn't need help. I was wrong.

My husband tracked down the relevant phone numbers (not an easy job), got on

the phone, wouldn't get off the phone, quietly and firmly told the pain

management people that we would just come and sit on their doorstep until we

got an appointment. He got an appointment for me on Wednesday, with the

promise that if any earlier cancellation came up I would have the space.

I couldn't believe it. This is a guy who has trouble making a haircut

appointment.

I guess the point is to not give up,

and if the designated channels don't work it's worth trying something

else. As my husband said, whatever calls he could make wouldn't hurt my

case, wouldn't lose me the appointment that was so far away it might be

useless, so he might as well try.

Harper

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[Guest guest]

Harper,

No, I have not had a nerve block but I do know here in Virginia the wait for a pain management MD can be months. Sounds like your husband got down to business. Hope all goes well with your appointment and you feel better soon.

[Guest guest]

Yes they do. I prefered the block to the spinal

On Aug 30, 2006, at 4:39 AM, Tami wrote:

> This was mentioned a few times.  Do they put in the block along with

> using general anistisa?

>  

> Tami

>

>

" Relying on God has to begin every day as if nothing had yet been done. "

[Guest guest]

So the block does kill all pain during the surgery. So you could just lie there & if you didn't want to see what was happening, you could ask for a barrier between your face & the rest of your body. Very good to know! Thanks.

Ann

Nerve Block?

This was mentioned a few times. Do they put in the block along with using general anistisa?

Tami