please help me with a question i have

[Guest guest]

guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

Hi Isebee and welcome to the group.

I've had numerous blocks done.. I can honestly say they did not make me any worse, but I did not have a great deal of relief.

What type of treatments have you been having for the past year? Although they do say the best time to treat aggressively to put the RSD into remission is the first 3-6 months, we've had members who have had RSD for years go into remission..

Hugs,

Jo

[Guest guest]

guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

Hi Isebee and welcome to the group.

I've had numerous blocks done.. I can honestly say they did not make me any worse, but I did not have a great deal of relief.

What type of treatments have you been having for the past year? Although they do say the best time to treat aggressively to put the RSD into remission is the first 3-6 months, we've had members who have had RSD for years go into remission..

Hugs,

Jo

[Guest guest]

guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

Hi Isebee and welcome to the group.

I've had numerous blocks done.. I can honestly say they did not make me any worse, but I did not have a great deal of relief.

What type of treatments have you been having for the past year? Although they do say the best time to treat aggressively to put the RSD into remission is the first 3-6 months, we've had members who have had RSD for years go into remission..

Hugs,

Jo

[Guest guest]

hello,

i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission

to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say

its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had

rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i

just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should

have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx.

it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it

into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go

full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the

procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is

doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or

bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

isebee

[Guest guest]

Hi Isebee--Welcome to the group!..I have not had the lumbar block but i had the ganglion block which is done through the throat area to reach my left chest and arm. In fact, i had 7 ganglion blocks and one bier block. My results were okay for only a short period of time and then the pain returned full-scale, but everyone doesn't have the same reaction. The procedures were very uncomfortable and made me very sick afterwards. I guess its the effect of the anesthesia. You just have to decide whats best for you right now. If you have something thats already working....'don't fix it if it aint broke'...take care..wishing you less painful days....isebee92 wrote:

hello,i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx. it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your

input.isebee

[Guest guest]

Hi Isebee--Welcome to the group!..I have not had the lumbar block but i had the ganglion block which is done through the throat area to reach my left chest and arm. In fact, i had 7 ganglion blocks and one bier block. My results were okay for only a short period of time and then the pain returned full-scale, but everyone doesn't have the same reaction. The procedures were very uncomfortable and made me very sick afterwards. I guess its the effect of the anesthesia. You just have to decide whats best for you right now. If you have something thats already working....'don't fix it if it aint broke'...take care..wishing you less painful days....isebee92 wrote:

hello,i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx. it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your

input.isebee

[Guest guest]

Hi Isebee--Welcome to the group!..I have not had the lumbar block but i had the ganglion block which is done through the throat area to reach my left chest and arm. In fact, i had 7 ganglion blocks and one bier block. My results were okay for only a short period of time and then the pain returned full-scale, but everyone doesn't have the same reaction. The procedures were very uncomfortable and made me very sick afterwards. I guess its the effect of the anesthesia. You just have to decide whats best for you right now. If you have something thats already working....'don't fix it if it aint broke'...take care..wishing you less painful days....isebee92 wrote:

hello,i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx. it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your

input.isebee

[Guest guest]

>Hi Isebee

I had the stellate ganglion injections, which if Im not mistaken are

similiar to the lumbar ones except that it handles the upper body RSD

not lower body (someone please correct me if Im wrong).

I had them done about 6 months after the initial injury since they

didnt know what they were handling until that point so it may have

been done too late for me to see a major difference, however it did

change the mottling I was having and the temperature change as well.

I did notice however that after each injection (I had 5 of them) that

the burning travled further on its course from being under my left

arm to my shoulderblades to my lower back. I have been increased to

2400mg of Neurontin and that seems to be helping for the most part

but the mottling has returned after 3 months since my last injection

so it doesnt seem to me that it helped a great deal in the end, but

Im only one of many and everyone has had a different experience to

tell.

Hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Hugs

Donna

> hello,

> i need to take a little survey because i have an important

decission

> to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first

say

> its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have

had

> rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i

> just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i

should

> have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx.

> it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it

> into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them

go

> full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have

the

> procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is

> doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or

> bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

> isebee

[Guest guest]

>Hi Isebee

I had the stellate ganglion injections, which if Im not mistaken are

similiar to the lumbar ones except that it handles the upper body RSD

not lower body (someone please correct me if Im wrong).

I had them done about 6 months after the initial injury since they

didnt know what they were handling until that point so it may have

been done too late for me to see a major difference, however it did

change the mottling I was having and the temperature change as well.

I did notice however that after each injection (I had 5 of them) that

the burning travled further on its course from being under my left

arm to my shoulderblades to my lower back. I have been increased to

2400mg of Neurontin and that seems to be helping for the most part

but the mottling has returned after 3 months since my last injection

so it doesnt seem to me that it helped a great deal in the end, but

Im only one of many and everyone has had a different experience to

tell.

Hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Hugs

Donna

> hello,

> i need to take a little survey because i have an important

decission

> to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first

say

> its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have

had

> rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i

> just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i

should

> have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx.

> it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it

> into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them

go

> full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have

the

> procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is

> doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or

> bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

> isebee

[Guest guest]

>Hi Isebee

I had the stellate ganglion injections, which if Im not mistaken are

similiar to the lumbar ones except that it handles the upper body RSD

not lower body (someone please correct me if Im wrong).

I had them done about 6 months after the initial injury since they

didnt know what they were handling until that point so it may have

been done too late for me to see a major difference, however it did

change the mottling I was having and the temperature change as well.

I did notice however that after each injection (I had 5 of them) that

the burning travled further on its course from being under my left

arm to my shoulderblades to my lower back. I have been increased to

2400mg of Neurontin and that seems to be helping for the most part

but the mottling has returned after 3 months since my last injection

so it doesnt seem to me that it helped a great deal in the end, but

Im only one of many and everyone has had a different experience to

tell.

Hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Hugs

Donna

> hello,

> i need to take a little survey because i have an important

decission

> to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first

say

> its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have

had

> rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i

> just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i

should

> have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx.

> it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it

> into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them

go

> full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have

the

> procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is

> doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or

> bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

> isebee

[Guest guest]

Isebee,

I agree with about not fixing if not broke! There is absolutely no reason you should have a procedure done if you are doing okay on the neurontin. I have had sympathetic blocks in my spine and I do well for a while, but also take injections for MS, and when I give the injection for the MS I get inflamation which causes the pain to come back. I think it is different for each one of us, because we all have different types and other illnesses also. You will find in time that most on the digest have more than just the RSD that they are dealing with. Welcome to the group and hope that you find the answers that you are looking for. I wish you well and look forward to talking again! Best Wishes and LOL Always!!!!

Dawn Echols wrote:

Hi Isebee--Welcome to the group!..I have not had the lumbar block but i had the ganglion block which is done through the throat area to reach my left chest and arm. In fact, i had 7 ganglion blocks and one bier block. My results were okay for only a short period of time and then the pain returned full-scale, but everyone doesn't have the same reaction. The procedures were very uncomfortable and made me very sick afterwards. I guess its the effect of the anesthesia. You just have to decide whats best for you right now. If you have something thats already working....'don't fix it if it aint broke'...take care..wishing you less painful days....isebee92 wrote: hello,i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx. it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your

input.isebee

[Guest guest]

Isebee,

I agree with about not fixing if not broke! There is absolutely no reason you should have a procedure done if you are doing okay on the neurontin. I have had sympathetic blocks in my spine and I do well for a while, but also take injections for MS, and when I give the injection for the MS I get inflamation which causes the pain to come back. I think it is different for each one of us, because we all have different types and other illnesses also. You will find in time that most on the digest have more than just the RSD that they are dealing with. Welcome to the group and hope that you find the answers that you are looking for. I wish you well and look forward to talking again! Best Wishes and LOL Always!!!!

Dawn Echols wrote:

Hi Isebee--Welcome to the group!..I have not had the lumbar block but i had the ganglion block which is done through the throat area to reach my left chest and arm. In fact, i had 7 ganglion blocks and one bier block. My results were okay for only a short period of time and then the pain returned full-scale, but everyone doesn't have the same reaction. The procedures were very uncomfortable and made me very sick afterwards. I guess its the effect of the anesthesia. You just have to decide whats best for you right now. If you have something thats already working....'don't fix it if it aint broke'...take care..wishing you less painful days....isebee92 wrote: hello,i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx. it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your

input.isebee

[Guest guest]

Isebee,

I agree with about not fixing if not broke! There is absolutely no reason you should have a procedure done if you are doing okay on the neurontin. I have had sympathetic blocks in my spine and I do well for a while, but also take injections for MS, and when I give the injection for the MS I get inflamation which causes the pain to come back. I think it is different for each one of us, because we all have different types and other illnesses also. You will find in time that most on the digest have more than just the RSD that they are dealing with. Welcome to the group and hope that you find the answers that you are looking for. I wish you well and look forward to talking again! Best Wishes and LOL Always!!!!

Dawn Echols wrote:

Hi Isebee--Welcome to the group!..I have not had the lumbar block but i had the ganglion block which is done through the throat area to reach my left chest and arm. In fact, i had 7 ganglion blocks and one bier block. My results were okay for only a short period of time and then the pain returned full-scale, but everyone doesn't have the same reaction. The procedures were very uncomfortable and made me very sick afterwards. I guess its the effect of the anesthesia. You just have to decide whats best for you right now. If you have something thats already working....'don't fix it if it aint broke'...take care..wishing you less painful days....isebee92 wrote: hello,i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx. it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your

input.isebee

[Guest guest]

>

> In a message dated 11/04/2004 11:12:08 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> isebee92@y... writes: guess i am asking does anyone have any info

good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

Hi Isebee and anyone who is interested in this long tale:

I would like to add my experience to Donnas in message 46980 and

Dawn's in message 46984.

After 6 years of RSD I went into full remission No Pain! After 4

years of remission RSD has recurred just two weeks ago. I developed

RSD of my left lower limb from a crush and fracture and surgery

placing a screw in Sept 1994 I was at 3 months into RSD

debilitating pain before I was finally diagnosed and sent

immediately that day to the hospital for a block. This procedure

was called Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block. I had two blocks and by

the time I got home (l ½ hr away) I was in major pain and had no

relief at all. When I went back for the three block I found out

that the Dr. had recorded that I was successfully treated with the

previous blocks. We actually got into an heated argument. Can you

imagine he insisted that I was better and reported it in HIS STUDY

because he was able to raise the temperature in my foot while I was

under the needle.

(Ginny! Good idea about the hard pin for the DR ROFLMAO )

Anyway, where was I,,,oh, I called him a few choice words and

kicked him out of my life. Later I talked to the other

anesthesiologist at this hospital and he talked with me at length

and concluded privately that I was obviously not being helped by

them.

Later I was furnished a copy of a study of 829 patients with RSD

published in the Lancet Oct 23, 1993 Vol 342

Instead of feeling like a malingerer as I was called by that jerk of

a Doctor I saw that I had company.

Here is an excerpt:

TREATMENT BEFORE PRESENTATION;

489 patients received physiotherapy before examination and 322 (66%)

complaints temporarily increased in the hours following treatment.

-In 273, treatment was directed towards the sympathetic nervous

system:

- operative or chemical sympathectomy (29), Guanethidine blockades

(191)Lumbar, axillary, or stellate ganglion blockades (53),

-In 19 (7%) Results were good and lasting, In 66 moderate and

temporary, In 157 no change was a found,

While in 21 complaints became more sever. In 10 results were unknown

This, of course, is not the definitive answer to your question. In

fact, the study points out that the group of referred patients is

highly selected (cured patients are not referred), " the results

clearly show that interruption of the sympathetic system is not a

panacea in RSD. "

I just thought you might want to add it to your mental notes. I am

sure someone could come up with numbers that support blocks. I

didn't have access to information in 1994 that we have today.

Maybe you will be one of the few that is helped! Somebody makes up

that group. I just don't know of anyone. Maybe we need to

advertise for people who are in remission so we can poll them on

their experience and see what makes up the difference.

I wish you the best and hope that whatever you decide for yourself

that you get relief. Keep us posted on this. We all care so very

much and want to help each other.

If you want to come out and play - Give me your town and State so

I can " pin " you on my wall map with the rest of this

delightful

group! With love and caring, Lyn

[Guest guest]

>

> In a message dated 11/04/2004 11:12:08 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> isebee92@y... writes: guess i am asking does anyone have any info

good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

Hi Isebee and anyone who is interested in this long tale:

I would like to add my experience to Donnas in message 46980 and

Dawn's in message 46984.

After 6 years of RSD I went into full remission No Pain! After 4

years of remission RSD has recurred just two weeks ago. I developed

RSD of my left lower limb from a crush and fracture and surgery

placing a screw in Sept 1994 I was at 3 months into RSD

debilitating pain before I was finally diagnosed and sent

immediately that day to the hospital for a block. This procedure

was called Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block. I had two blocks and by

the time I got home (l ½ hr away) I was in major pain and had no

relief at all. When I went back for the three block I found out

that the Dr. had recorded that I was successfully treated with the

previous blocks. We actually got into an heated argument. Can you

imagine he insisted that I was better and reported it in HIS STUDY

because he was able to raise the temperature in my foot while I was

under the needle.

(Ginny! Good idea about the hard pin for the DR ROFLMAO )

Anyway, where was I,,,oh, I called him a few choice words and

kicked him out of my life. Later I talked to the other

anesthesiologist at this hospital and he talked with me at length

and concluded privately that I was obviously not being helped by

them.

Later I was furnished a copy of a study of 829 patients with RSD

published in the Lancet Oct 23, 1993 Vol 342

Instead of feeling like a malingerer as I was called by that jerk of

a Doctor I saw that I had company.

Here is an excerpt:

TREATMENT BEFORE PRESENTATION;

489 patients received physiotherapy before examination and 322 (66%)

complaints temporarily increased in the hours following treatment.

-In 273, treatment was directed towards the sympathetic nervous

system:

- operative or chemical sympathectomy (29), Guanethidine blockades

(191)Lumbar, axillary, or stellate ganglion blockades (53),

-In 19 (7%) Results were good and lasting, In 66 moderate and

temporary, In 157 no change was a found,

While in 21 complaints became more sever. In 10 results were unknown

This, of course, is not the definitive answer to your question. In

fact, the study points out that the group of referred patients is

highly selected (cured patients are not referred), " the results

clearly show that interruption of the sympathetic system is not a

panacea in RSD. "

I just thought you might want to add it to your mental notes. I am

sure someone could come up with numbers that support blocks. I

didn't have access to information in 1994 that we have today.

Maybe you will be one of the few that is helped! Somebody makes up

that group. I just don't know of anyone. Maybe we need to

advertise for people who are in remission so we can poll them on

their experience and see what makes up the difference.

I wish you the best and hope that whatever you decide for yourself

that you get relief. Keep us posted on this. We all care so very

much and want to help each other.

If you want to come out and play - Give me your town and State so

I can " pin " you on my wall map with the rest of this

delightful

group! With love and caring, Lyn

[Guest guest]

>

> In a message dated 11/04/2004 11:12:08 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> isebee92@y... writes: guess i am asking does anyone have any info

good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.

Hi Isebee and anyone who is interested in this long tale:

I would like to add my experience to Donnas in message 46980 and

Dawn's in message 46984.

After 6 years of RSD I went into full remission No Pain! After 4

years of remission RSD has recurred just two weeks ago. I developed

RSD of my left lower limb from a crush and fracture and surgery

placing a screw in Sept 1994 I was at 3 months into RSD

debilitating pain before I was finally diagnosed and sent

immediately that day to the hospital for a block. This procedure

was called Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block. I had two blocks and by

the time I got home (l ½ hr away) I was in major pain and had no

relief at all. When I went back for the three block I found out

that the Dr. had recorded that I was successfully treated with the

previous blocks. We actually got into an heated argument. Can you

imagine he insisted that I was better and reported it in HIS STUDY

because he was able to raise the temperature in my foot while I was

under the needle.

(Ginny! Good idea about the hard pin for the DR ROFLMAO )

Anyway, where was I,,,oh, I called him a few choice words and

kicked him out of my life. Later I talked to the other

anesthesiologist at this hospital and he talked with me at length

and concluded privately that I was obviously not being helped by

them.

Later I was furnished a copy of a study of 829 patients with RSD

published in the Lancet Oct 23, 1993 Vol 342

Instead of feeling like a malingerer as I was called by that jerk of

a Doctor I saw that I had company.

Here is an excerpt:

TREATMENT BEFORE PRESENTATION;

489 patients received physiotherapy before examination and 322 (66%)

complaints temporarily increased in the hours following treatment.

-In 273, treatment was directed towards the sympathetic nervous

system:

- operative or chemical sympathectomy (29), Guanethidine blockades

(191)Lumbar, axillary, or stellate ganglion blockades (53),

-In 19 (7%) Results were good and lasting, In 66 moderate and

temporary, In 157 no change was a found,

While in 21 complaints became more sever. In 10 results were unknown

This, of course, is not the definitive answer to your question. In

fact, the study points out that the group of referred patients is

highly selected (cured patients are not referred), " the results

clearly show that interruption of the sympathetic system is not a

panacea in RSD. "

I just thought you might want to add it to your mental notes. I am

sure someone could come up with numbers that support blocks. I

didn't have access to information in 1994 that we have today.

Maybe you will be one of the few that is helped! Somebody makes up

that group. I just don't know of anyone. Maybe we need to

advertise for people who are in remission so we can poll them on

their experience and see what makes up the difference.

I wish you the best and hope that whatever you decide for yourself

that you get relief. Keep us posted on this. We all care so very

much and want to help each other.

If you want to come out and play - Give me your town and State so

I can " pin " you on my wall map with the rest of this

delightful

group! With love and caring, Lyn

[Guest guest]

Lyn,

Thanks so very much for this info and I am actually going to print and send to both of my lawyers helping me with my cases. Both SSDI and WC, I think it is important that they know these statistics! Thanks again and LOL and best wishes with the map.

Dawnlynlorraine wrote:

> > In a message dated 11/04/2004 11:12:08 AM Eastern Standard Time, > isebee92@y... writes: guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.Hi Isebee and anyone who is interested in this long tale:I would like to add my experience to Donnas in message 46980 and Dawn's in message 46984.After 6 years of RSD I went into full remission No Pain! After 4 years of remission RSD has recurred just two weeks ago. I developed RSD of my left lower limb from a crush and fracture and surgery placing a screw in Sept 1994 I was at 3 months into RSD debilitating pain before I was finally diagnosed and sent immediately that day to the hospital for a

block. This procedure was called Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block. I had two blocks and by the time I got home (l ½ hr away) I was in major pain and had no relief at all. When I went back for the three block I found out that the Dr. had recorded that I was successfully treated with the previous blocks. We actually got into an heated argument. Can you imagine he insisted that I was better and reported it in HIS STUDY because he was able to raise the temperature in my foot while I was under the needle. (Ginny! Good idea about the hard pin for the DR ROFLMAO )Anyway, where was I,,,oh, I called him a few choice words and kicked him out of my life. Later I talked to the other anesthesiologist at this hospital and he talked with me at length and concluded privately that I was obviously not being helped by them.Later I was furnished a copy of a study of 829 patients

with RSD published in the Lancet Oct 23, 1993 Vol 342Instead of feeling like a malingerer as I was called by that jerk of a Doctor I saw that I had company. Here is an excerpt:TREATMENT BEFORE PRESENTATION;489 patients received physiotherapy before examination and 322 (66%) complaints temporarily increased in the hours following treatment.-In 273, treatment was directed towards the sympathetic nervous system:- operative or chemical sympathectomy (29), Guanethidine blockades (191)Lumbar, axillary, or stellate ganglion blockades (53),-In 19 (7%) Results were good and lasting, In 66 moderate and temporary, In 157 no change was a found,While in 21 complaints became more sever. In 10 results were unknownThis, of course, is not the definitive answer to your question. In fact, the study points out that the group of referred patients is highly selected (cured patients are not referred)," the

results clearly show that interruption of the sympathetic system is not a panacea in RSD."I just thought you might want to add it to your mental notes. I am sure someone could come up with numbers that support blocks. I didn't have access to information in 1994 that we have today.Maybe you will be one of the few that is helped! Somebody makes up that group. I just don't know of anyone. Maybe we need to advertise for people who are in remission so we can poll them on their experience and see what makes up the difference. I wish you the best and hope that whatever you decide for yourself that you get relief. Keep us posted on this. We all care so very much and want to help each other. If you want to come out and play - Give me your town and State so I can "pin" you on my wall map with the rest of thisdelightful group! With

love and caring, Lyn

[Guest guest]

Lyn,

Thanks so very much for this info and I am actually going to print and send to both of my lawyers helping me with my cases. Both SSDI and WC, I think it is important that they know these statistics! Thanks again and LOL and best wishes with the map.

Dawnlynlorraine wrote:

> > In a message dated 11/04/2004 11:12:08 AM Eastern Standard Time, > isebee92@y... writes: guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.Hi Isebee and anyone who is interested in this long tale:I would like to add my experience to Donnas in message 46980 and Dawn's in message 46984.After 6 years of RSD I went into full remission No Pain! After 4 years of remission RSD has recurred just two weeks ago. I developed RSD of my left lower limb from a crush and fracture and surgery placing a screw in Sept 1994 I was at 3 months into RSD debilitating pain before I was finally diagnosed and sent immediately that day to the hospital for a

block. This procedure was called Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block. I had two blocks and by the time I got home (l ½ hr away) I was in major pain and had no relief at all. When I went back for the three block I found out that the Dr. had recorded that I was successfully treated with the previous blocks. We actually got into an heated argument. Can you imagine he insisted that I was better and reported it in HIS STUDY because he was able to raise the temperature in my foot while I was under the needle. (Ginny! Good idea about the hard pin for the DR ROFLMAO )Anyway, where was I,,,oh, I called him a few choice words and kicked him out of my life. Later I talked to the other anesthesiologist at this hospital and he talked with me at length and concluded privately that I was obviously not being helped by them.Later I was furnished a copy of a study of 829 patients

with RSD published in the Lancet Oct 23, 1993 Vol 342Instead of feeling like a malingerer as I was called by that jerk of a Doctor I saw that I had company. Here is an excerpt:TREATMENT BEFORE PRESENTATION;489 patients received physiotherapy before examination and 322 (66%) complaints temporarily increased in the hours following treatment.-In 273, treatment was directed towards the sympathetic nervous system:- operative or chemical sympathectomy (29), Guanethidine blockades (191)Lumbar, axillary, or stellate ganglion blockades (53),-In 19 (7%) Results were good and lasting, In 66 moderate and temporary, In 157 no change was a found,While in 21 complaints became more sever. In 10 results were unknownThis, of course, is not the definitive answer to your question. In fact, the study points out that the group of referred patients is highly selected (cured patients are not referred)," the

results clearly show that interruption of the sympathetic system is not a panacea in RSD."I just thought you might want to add it to your mental notes. I am sure someone could come up with numbers that support blocks. I didn't have access to information in 1994 that we have today.Maybe you will be one of the few that is helped! Somebody makes up that group. I just don't know of anyone. Maybe we need to advertise for people who are in remission so we can poll them on their experience and see what makes up the difference. I wish you the best and hope that whatever you decide for yourself that you get relief. Keep us posted on this. We all care so very much and want to help each other. If you want to come out and play - Give me your town and State so I can "pin" you on my wall map with the rest of thisdelightful group! With

love and caring, Lyn

[Guest guest]

Lyn,

Thanks so very much for this info and I am actually going to print and send to both of my lawyers helping me with my cases. Both SSDI and WC, I think it is important that they know these statistics! Thanks again and LOL and best wishes with the map.

Dawnlynlorraine wrote:

> > In a message dated 11/04/2004 11:12:08 AM Eastern Standard Time, > isebee92@y... writes: guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.Hi Isebee and anyone who is interested in this long tale:I would like to add my experience to Donnas in message 46980 and Dawn's in message 46984.After 6 years of RSD I went into full remission No Pain! After 4 years of remission RSD has recurred just two weeks ago. I developed RSD of my left lower limb from a crush and fracture and surgery placing a screw in Sept 1994 I was at 3 months into RSD debilitating pain before I was finally diagnosed and sent immediately that day to the hospital for a

block. This procedure was called Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block. I had two blocks and by the time I got home (l ½ hr away) I was in major pain and had no relief at all. When I went back for the three block I found out that the Dr. had recorded that I was successfully treated with the previous blocks. We actually got into an heated argument. Can you imagine he insisted that I was better and reported it in HIS STUDY because he was able to raise the temperature in my foot while I was under the needle. (Ginny! Good idea about the hard pin for the DR ROFLMAO )Anyway, where was I,,,oh, I called him a few choice words and kicked him out of my life. Later I talked to the other anesthesiologist at this hospital and he talked with me at length and concluded privately that I was obviously not being helped by them.Later I was furnished a copy of a study of 829 patients

with RSD published in the Lancet Oct 23, 1993 Vol 342Instead of feeling like a malingerer as I was called by that jerk of a Doctor I saw that I had company. Here is an excerpt:TREATMENT BEFORE PRESENTATION;489 patients received physiotherapy before examination and 322 (66%) complaints temporarily increased in the hours following treatment.-In 273, treatment was directed towards the sympathetic nervous system:- operative or chemical sympathectomy (29), Guanethidine blockades (191)Lumbar, axillary, or stellate ganglion blockades (53),-In 19 (7%) Results were good and lasting, In 66 moderate and temporary, In 157 no change was a found,While in 21 complaints became more sever. In 10 results were unknownThis, of course, is not the definitive answer to your question. In fact, the study points out that the group of referred patients is highly selected (cured patients are not referred)," the

results clearly show that interruption of the sympathetic system is not a panacea in RSD."I just thought you might want to add it to your mental notes. I am sure someone could come up with numbers that support blocks. I didn't have access to information in 1994 that we have today.Maybe you will be one of the few that is helped! Somebody makes up that group. I just don't know of anyone. Maybe we need to advertise for people who are in remission so we can poll them on their experience and see what makes up the difference. I wish you the best and hope that whatever you decide for yourself that you get relief. Keep us posted on this. We all care so very much and want to help each other. If you want to come out and play - Give me your town and State so I can "pin" you on my wall map with the rest of thisdelightful group! With

love and caring, Lyn

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. To answer your question, I have had a lumbar block after having RSD for 5 years before I had my first block, and I would never have another. I was told by other Dr. not to have one done. Then I was sent to another Dr for a spinal cord stym. and instead he did the block. I am very over weight and have a hard time healing. So when he did the block and I woke up I could not stand the pain in my hip. After having a allergic reaction to the pain med's. they gave me two days later I ended back in the ER. After DR fighting with Dr they decided to admit me. At first they thought that I broke my hip. After a cat scan of my hip they determined that the block sat in my hip. I could not walk, sit, lay, or anything much for 3 weeks. I was told go ahead and drive your fine. The spasms that I had going through my body, I though there was no way I was getting into a drivers seat.

I know that my lumbar block may scare you, but please don't let it. You need to do what is best for you and your Dr decide. And just to let you know that you may need to have this done before insurance companies will let you have other things done.

Hope this helped good luck on your decision. And remember we are here for you.

Sheri

-- please help me with a question i have

hello,i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx. it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.isebee

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. To answer your question, I have had a lumbar block after having RSD for 5 years before I had my first block, and I would never have another. I was told by other Dr. not to have one done. Then I was sent to another Dr for a spinal cord stym. and instead he did the block. I am very over weight and have a hard time healing. So when he did the block and I woke up I could not stand the pain in my hip. After having a allergic reaction to the pain med's. they gave me two days later I ended back in the ER. After DR fighting with Dr they decided to admit me. At first they thought that I broke my hip. After a cat scan of my hip they determined that the block sat in my hip. I could not walk, sit, lay, or anything much for 3 weeks. I was told go ahead and drive your fine. The spasms that I had going through my body, I though there was no way I was getting into a drivers seat.

I know that my lumbar block may scare you, but please don't let it. You need to do what is best for you and your Dr decide. And just to let you know that you may need to have this done before insurance companies will let you have other things done.

Hope this helped good luck on your decision. And remember we are here for you.

Sheri

-- please help me with a question i have

hello,i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx. it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.isebee

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. To answer your question, I have had a lumbar block after having RSD for 5 years before I had my first block, and I would never have another. I was told by other Dr. not to have one done. Then I was sent to another Dr for a spinal cord stym. and instead he did the block. I am very over weight and have a hard time healing. So when he did the block and I woke up I could not stand the pain in my hip. After having a allergic reaction to the pain med's. they gave me two days later I ended back in the ER. After DR fighting with Dr they decided to admit me. At first they thought that I broke my hip. After a cat scan of my hip they determined that the block sat in my hip. I could not walk, sit, lay, or anything much for 3 weeks. I was told go ahead and drive your fine. The spasms that I had going through my body, I though there was no way I was getting into a drivers seat.

I know that my lumbar block may scare you, but please don't let it. You need to do what is best for you and your Dr decide. And just to let you know that you may need to have this done before insurance companies will let you have other things done.

Hope this helped good luck on your decision. And remember we are here for you.

Sheri

-- please help me with a question i have

hello,i need to take a little survey because i have an important decission to make. i am very glad to have found this site; so let me first say its nice to meet everyone and thank you for reading this. i have had rsd for a year and i have never had a lumbar sympathetic block. i just got back from conference in maine and i found out that i should have probably had one done within at least the first 3 mths of dx. it seems that everyone i talk to that had one done did not put it into remission. in fact there was 3 people that said it made them go full body. i fear i have waited to long and i don't want to have the procedure to just ease my pain b/c as of right now my neurontin is doing that. i guess i am asking does anyone have any info good or bad about there blocks. again thanks for your input.isebee