@potudy -

Where is the source of pain for you and while I understand the SPG block, what is the goal for it w/ Long Covid?

Yes, I have had 3 so far and will be going for a 4th in a few weeks. I lost my taste and smell in December of 2022, due to Covid. Here it is April 2024 and only a slight improvement with the injections. They are used, in my case to increase taste and smell. It has only helped minimally, where I get a stronger salty, sweet or sour/bitter taste in my mouth, no flavors however. I can smell ground coffee almost every morning, but the scents are fleeting. I live in the Chicago suburbs and have these injections done at our Northwestern Hospital in the city of Chicago’s Pain Management Clinic. They use an ultra sound to guide them where the injection needs to go into your neck and inject you with Lidocane. It isn’t painful, but the side they inject you on, your eyelid will droop for a while and your sinuses on that side will be stuffed up for about 2 hours. Other than that, it’s quite painless. If you’re considering doing this, be sure you’re going to a reputable hospital that knows what they’re doing. I’ve been told Cleveland Hospital is doing it as well. I wish you all the best!

I have also been wondering this same thing. I’m not sure if Mayo does this procedure for Covid patients though, that is what I need to know.

I responded before and now I’ve had my 4th Stellate Ganglion Block Injection and what it did for me this time is it gave me more energy. I noticed I had more energy at the end of the day and I feel I sleep better as well. My taste and smell hasn’t changed much more than my first post, but I can still smell my coffee grounds in the morning, but most things I am able to smell are fleeting and I haven’t been able to taste anything.

You may be interested in this related discussion:
- Have you tried this treatment? Stellate Ganglion Block study
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/have-you-tried-this-treatment/
Studies about nerve blocks at Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/tests-procedures/nerve-blocks/

Have you checked your zinc levels?

I am on day two after a bilateral ultrasound guided stellate ganglion block. I have severe dysautonomia (GI problems, POTS, balance problems, visual disturbances, etc.) and chronic fatigue/post exertional malaise. I pushed my normal limits last night and stayed up with family that was in town and woke up feeling REFRESHED this morning, I have been bed ridden as a 24 year old for 7 months and felt stable walking to the bathroom. My brain fog is reduced and all my other symptoms have reduced in just 2 days. I’m not sure if it will continue but I will say I am absolutely shocked, I haven’t felt this good in the morning since before I got sick.

I have POTS from Long Covid.
Anyone receive SGP and find it helped their Orthostatic pressure stabilize?
I also read about vagus nerve pressure non-invasive ear clips that some people recommend.

I’m on Fludrocortisone and Midrdine but they’re not working for me.