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Seeking info on use of parasympathetic block for complex regional pain
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Apr 14 5:05am | Replies (35)Comment receiving replies
I woke up from back surgery 43 years ago with CRPS of my left foot. I did all the nerve blocks I did everything that was offered at the time. Years later I was once told I needed to go back to a pain doctor and he literally blocked the door until I agreed to let him inject my back. Just right in his office. It scared the crap out of me. For me pain doctors are not the answer. Whenever I look at a pain doctor's website the only thing they offer that's not invasive is physical therapy. Any invasive treatment can spread your CRPS are even cause a new place to flare. I spread to my right foot too years ago but with covid, spread to the waist down. The doctor says I have it in my colon and larynx and possibly ribcage as it hurts to yake a deep breath. With long covid inflammation gor 3 years this month, my voice has dropped almost a full octave (I'm female.)
Just personally, I will never ever let anybody do any invasive treatment for CRPS ever again.
I was also in a bit of remission until I had my knee replaced. I didn't think about what it would do to my foot and neither did my doctor. The one thing that will help if you're having surgery on an extremity is a nerve block. Even if you're asleep the pain signals go to your brain and lay down tracks. The nerve block prevents the pain from traveling to your brain while you're asleep knocking very low the chances of having a spread because of surgery. Good to know.
If you're trying to make a decision about a spinal cord stimulator go to Sparrow Clinic website and watch the videos about all of the failed cases, including internal batteries exploding. Eek.
One thing I've learned with CRPS, you really don't think it's humanly possible, but things actually CAN GET WORSE! Triple think and always due diligence - especially how many years has the doctor been doing him and what's his success rate? And how many does it do a year. What has happened to his people who had a failure? Ask specific questions about them specifically. And your block has helped some, but all doctors are not created equal. 😀 best of luck.
Replies to "I woke up from back surgery 43 years ago with CRPS of my left foot. I..."
@bebold and @delia74, if you are not already familiar with. I would encourage you to evaluate PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) as a non-invasive therapy to include for management of CRPS (and some of the other issues delia74 lists). If you undertake this, start with a look at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29985719/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28934787/ , and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35949961/ . Two of these convey it can be of help. One states no additional benefit to those getting benefit from physical therapy. I always like to convey both sides of anything. Aside from the studies, anecdotally, I have people in my realm with CRPS who are using PEMF and getting relief. If you look and determine you want to dive deeper, feel free to message me.
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I am so appreciative that you took the time to write about your experiences. I can connect with so much of what you describe about your CRPS journey.
I came across this connect.mayoclinic site while searching for info on the topics related to my own pain issues, and I thank God that I did. I've connected with several incredible people. Your pain management doctor sounds truly evil and sadistic! The one I went to was a kind human being, highly respected within our town and by medical professionals. But he wasn't directing treatment to deal with the horrid issues within my foot/ankle and the shooting nerve pain from that area, up the leg and thigh, and into my buttock. So I thanked him and left. My neurologist agreed with my decision and found another PM specialist for me. But I began to have serious concerns about having any needles inserted anywhere, specifically into my spine. I've had epidurals which resulted in cranium crushing headaches along with a slew of other evil side effects. So, NO. Absolutely scared, and did not want any more invasive procedures. Over my lifetime, I've endured way too many. Never again, I promised myself. So I've searched, prayed, endured various intensities of pain (most of them are PL 5 on a 24/7 status, up to PL 8 out of 9). From MRI that the PM doctor ordered on my spine, I learned more about the "why" of the nerve issues experienced along the spine and into my pelvis, up to my shoulders/neck and entire head: Spinal stenosis. With disc bulging and nerve impingements. ALL of this, and yet I feel fortunate to be able to function and take care of myself and my husband (he has several serious health issues as well).
Learning what I did about my spine (in addition to other CNS problems) made me fear that additional invasiveness could exacerbate any or all of what my body is dealing with. Didn't want to give the fibromyalgia another reason for playing into the chronic pain syndrome!
So I decided to think more seriously what 3 of my doctors told me: medicinal marijuana. I received the authorization to proceed with obtaining it from a government accredited dispensary within my county. I am nervous about this, but I need to be in a more stable state of health in order to be able to help my husband.
I do know that even with a brief plateau of pain relief, a "little monster" can be around the bend to sink in its sharp teeth and layer another dimension of pain. I have indeed "been there." I'd love to locate a support group, one to deal with my issues/concerns, and one to help with what I face with my husband's health problems. At least, I have this site and for that I am incredibly grateful.
I'll include you in my prayers, that you may find at least periods of relief. God bless you!🙏🏽