Guest guest Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 Has anyone ever worsened from having a sympathetic block in cervical or lumbar region? Has it spread the RSD? DO they usually work? What are the side effects? Thanks for anyone thoughts on this ... Take Care, Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 If these blocks are given soon after getting RSD they can put it in remission. Dear Babs and all, Thank you for your thoughts on the blocks. I am a big whimp about getting it. I had two endoscopies ( which are very minor procedure for the esophagus) , the first one put me into shock and blood pressure breathing etc dropped out and shock like symptoms followed. The second one two years later , I developed petechia and blood vessel hemorraging from head up and turned bright red in head and face. It is seven years after the car accident and at this point I would take the pills, but I have seen so many medical errors in procedures I am just scared to see if this is another "let's see what you do with this". I know they have to confirm the RSD by the block, but does it really confirm? Some have said it doesn't always work. I heal so slowly my neck will be sore for a month. I think I am dealing with RSD after so many have talked to me about it, but confirming it just to get proper treatment that was not given to me years ago , I really am concerned about how I will react. If you think I should just do it this once, would you say so and why whoever is reading this. My husband is afraid I am going to get worse as I did with the endoscopies( last one was in May and still have not gotten back to pre- MAY condition). Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I am glad to know there are people who understand what we are all going through.. Take Care, nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 In a message dated 8/12/2003 1:52:25 PM Central Daylight Time, writes: have been through so much and sometimes I tell things that I really don't want to. It is not my intention to scare anyone, just to inform. Dear Thank you for the information. I am grateful to know of other's experiences whether it is good bad ugly or neutral. Knowing the risks or other possibilities no matter how small , good or bad is better than not having a clue or having a one sided representation.. Often in medicine , the side is in favor of the medicine or the drug with the feeling that it is trial and error, if it works stay with it and if not move on to other forms of management. The other problem with that is sometimes the outcome in someone with rare conditions is so sensitive, that they have a negative outcome if not monitored carefully and slowly. But rarely will medical professionals say , well we have a had a few cases not turn out. That is not usually done. The real clinical picture is so varied and different that people with any condition should have a support group to compare notes. My family is full of diabetics and I can say , the medical books don't or have not described what I have seen with my family in reference to that condition and even the doctor has trial error method for controlling type 1 diabetics.. There are certain standbys but when diabetes progresses to a certain level, the picture is not very clear. I feel that way about RSD. RSD apparently has not had a clear picture for so many trained physicians to miss it. It seems so clear now, but for so many doctors to miss the big picture.. Blows my mind... what is left of it anyway... Thanks for your thoughts on the subject. You didn't scare me. I want to know everything I can get my hands on. Thanks for your thoughts and sharing your experience. Take Care, Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 Hi Nan, I have never gotten worse from a sympathetic block but it can happen. I had good results from these blocks when I first started getting them but eventually the reduced my pain less and less. Some people don't get any pain relief from them. They do tend to work better when aggressively given shortly after getting RSD. As far as any side effects I have never had any but of course there are some. Weakness, pain, tenderness. If these blocks are given soon after getting RSD they can put it in remission. Take care and you are in my prayers. Hugs, babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 In a message dated 8/12/2003 3:51:54 PM Central Daylight Time, writes: I had a Lumbar Sympathetic Block done....6 times. and yes, I do believe that it made my RSD spread Thanks for your info. I really appreciate you sharing your experience with me. This is something a doctor would never say, nor admit that it could happen due to legalistic nature of the system. I really think, that sometimes it is worthwhile, but why not just get adequate pain management. I really think they don't want to prescribe . They get more money for procedures plus the experience and the contraindication in your physiology are not enough for them. But in something like this I think they should only give it a try once , 2x, but not force the patient. The person I talked to on the phone said " you have to have it done to confirm the diagnosis". I told her I didn't want complications , just pain managementas I have been using muscle relaxants all these years and they havent really worked well but they help. Anyway she said "we can't force you to have a ganglion block, but we may not be able to treat you then". So it is their way or the highway... I will have the thermagram sp? but if it doesn't come out positive and I don't go for the block, I will be out mega bucks and still no pain management.. It is so frustrating.. This summer I seem to be alot worse, fighting off numerous infections and abscesses , and dealing with GI problem. Someone mentioned visceral disorder due to sympathetic malfunction that increases GERD? I haven't been able to find any info about that, but that would explain why I am not responding to anti- reflux medications, went through every type on the market... Anyone know anything about that?? Okay thanks for listening.. I appreciate the input. I let you guys know if I try the darn thing.. Take Care, Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 Hi Nan, I can understand you being so scared of any type of invasive treatment. I would be too. To get the block just to see if you respond to it and just to help to dx RSD, well, I don't know if I would. Of course I am not a dr. And the block is not a sure thing anyway as far as dx. What are you taking right now for the pain? I think the way that I would probably decide whether to get the blocks or not is does the meds that I am taking keep me fairly comfortable. If the answer is yes then maybe the block is not for you, if the answer is no, then maybe it would be a good idea to try them. You really have to make this decision. Of course the dr that does the blocks should be good at them. My dr does them very well. And he is very quick about it. That would make a difference in my decision too. Some drs will put you to sleep for them too. When I get the epidurals for flareups I do get put to sleep for them. My dr used Deprevan(sp.). Only takes a few minutes and I don't even feel tired when I wake up. I have had blocks done by many different drs and I have to say that not every dr is good at doing them. Gee now I probably have you more scared. Sorry. I have to watch myself because I have been through so much and sometimes I tell things that I really don't want to. It is not my intention to scare anyone, just to inform. Please let us know if we can answer any more questions. Take care and you are in my prayers. Hugs, babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 Has anyone ever worsened from having a sympathetic block in cervical or lumbar region? Has it spread the RSD? Nan, I had a Lumbar Sympathetic Block done....6 times. and yes, I do believe that it made my RSD spread.DO they usually work?I wish I could say yes....but, honestly, they didn't for me.What are the side effects? not exactly for sure. I do know that one incinsion really hurt so bad, I just about called them and told them to forget it! I live 8 hours aways! Hopes this helps you out some! Tonia ____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 In a message dated 8/12/2003 7:58:25 PM Central Daylight Time, writes: The blocks doesn't always confirm RSD either!!!!!!! The 2 best ways to diagnose RSD is a Thermography....which is like x-rays, and clinical testing. The blocks are not exactly a neccessarry test at all. What do you mean by clinical testing? They just look at your clinical symptoms and if it fits the description.. I still have to disprove my other diagnoses. How do you invalidate/validate a former diagnosis? My insurance went through the roof with all these clinical opinions... RSD, thoracic outlet syndrome, Raynauds.. At this point I don't care what diagnosis, just to know what I am dealing with and get some solid treatment instead of being passed around or worse ignored. The fact that my upper limbs are getting so weak really scares me. I was cooking a tuna casserole in a large frying pan and could not lift it in the skillet tonight. I tried several times. I use to be so strong having practiced judo and karate at one time.. I am 38 and feel like I am geriatric patient... Well must be flaring in the limbic system as my eyes are welling and I am feeling frustrated.. Well maybe when I get some good pain control, I my left brain will take over again... Thanks for listening.. Take Care, Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 , The blocks doesn't always confirm RSD either!!!!!!! The 2 best ways to diagnose RSD is a Thermography....which is like x-rays, and clinical testing. The blocks are not exactly a neccessarry test at all. Tonia RSD by the block, but does it really confirm? Some have said it doesn't always work. I heal so slowly my neck will be sore for a month. I think I am dealing with RSD after so many have talked to me about it, but confirming it just to get proper treatment that was not given to me years ago , I really am concerned about how I will react.If you think I should just do it this once, would you say so and why whoever is reading this. My husband is afraid I am going to get worse as I did with the endoscopies( last one was in May and still have not gotten back to pre- MAY condition). Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I am glad to know there are people who understand what we are all going through.. Take Care,nancy ____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 Nan, I also have the GERD.....pretty much due to having my kids. A thermography is where it shows the tempature inside a person's body. Black colors means really cold......bright colors indicate warm temps. But, it does show the temp changes in your body, which is a strong indicator of RSD. When I had mine done.....my whole first appt, Thermography, clinical dx, psych appt.....all cost me $1200 up front. And, like I said.....this was done by Dr. Lubenow, and Rush is a teaching school, which teaching schools always charge a little more than normal. But.....considering RSD isn't well known anyways, I'd rather pay that little extra to be treated by someone who knows what they are doing! Tonia ____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 Nan, I'm not sure I can actually explain the Clinical Testing accurately. But, Dr. Lubenow knows exactly what to check for and the works......with certain instruments, his fingers, and other odds and ends. He doesn't stop until he is satisfied. Tonia ____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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