Have you tried this treatment? Stellate Ganglion Block study

Posted by afriendofthedevilisafriendofmine @afriendofthedevilisafriendofmine, Sep 18, 2023

Article: Cureus | Stellate Ganglion Block Relieves Long COVID-19 Symptoms in 86% of Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study | Article

DEFINITIONS:

Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB): a procedure where anesthetic is injected near the stellate ganglion, a group of nerves in the neck, to relieve symptoms such as pain or nerve dysfunction.

SUMMARY:

The study evaluated the use of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in the treatment of long COVID-19 syndrome.

Out of the 41 patients who received SGB, 86% experienced a reduction in their symptoms.

The most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue and brain fog, which showed the highest response to treatment.

My take: (by Amy E - contributor to the newsletter)

This is what I had done and it has been the biggest game-changer out of all the things I’ve tried!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

pillpd01 | @pillpd01 | Mar 18 12:28pm

In reply to @4mn "I had long Covid for about six months before my stellate ganglion block by a Pain..." + (show)

Thank you. That was very helpful

lkirnbauer | @lkirnbauer | Mar 19 10:14am

In reply to @wilsonanderson "I’m in the Uk and tried all sorts of things to try to lessen 5 years..." + (show)

Hi, I wanted to comment on your post. First of all, I’m so sorry you’re suffering for such a long time. I too lost my taste and smell from Covid in December of 2022. It’s now March 19th 2025 and I still don’t have it back. I’ve had 7 Stellate Ganglion Block Injections and the 7th injection was successful in getting rid of my anxiety or PTSD, but I still can’t taste a single thing. Some days I can detect a more salty, sweet or bitter taste on my tongue, but no flavors of any kind. You definitely want an experienced doctor doing it. I was having a light twilight before the procedure because my blood pressure would spike so high before it. I also took a Valium. (5 mg) beforehand. My suggestion to you would be to find a doctor who has done many of these blocks and see that person. I live in the Chicagoland area and went to Northwestern in downtown Chicago to their Pain Management Clinic. They are skilled in doing this injection. I wish you luck and good health!

lauragwi | @lauragwi | Mar 19 9:28pm

In reply to @pillpd01 "Dealing with loud buzzing,headaches,brain fog, post exertional malaise, chronic fatigue since June of 2020. Has anyone..." + (show)

I have had four SGBs now. The first (right side) helped significantly with my lungs and upper chest tightness. After 3 years of long-COVID, within 24 hours of block, could take a deep breath for the first time. I had to learn to breathe again because I had tight chest for so long, having that suddenly lifted felt weird. I have since had a left side 6 months after the first, and a left and right spaced two weeks apart two months ago (8 months after the second). The subsequent blocks have not helped as much. My fatigue is still the same, maybe some very moderate relief but only two weeks after. My episodes of intense symptoms are shorter now, but not sure if that is from blocks or just passing of time. For whatever reason, the blocks on the right side helped and the ones on the left did nothing.

I had to fight to get insurance to cover, but I connected with a non-profit healthcare/patient advocacy group to help and compiled a letter citing research on SGB and explaining their is no FDA approved treatment, so by denying me because SGB is experimental, they are denying me all treatment for long COVID because all is experimental. Overall it is very worth a try in my book!

pillpd01 | @pillpd01 | Mar 20 4:08pm

In reply to @lkirnbauer "Hi, I wanted to comment on your post. First of all, I’m so sorry you’re suffering..." + (show)

Thank you

meow | @meow | Mar 24 11:24am

In reply to @pillpd01 "Dealing with loud buzzing,headaches,brain fog, post exertional malaise, chronic fatigue since June of 2020. Has anyone..." + (show)

Hello All,
this is my first time on here. I am very curious about exploring the Stellate Ganglion Block.
I live in Cambridge MA. My husband and our daughter are struggling with long covid symptoms.
Fatigue is a significant symptom for both of them. Other symptoms include brain fog and stomach upset.
Here they are charging $1,600 for one procedure of the Stellate Ganglion Block. They both have an overactive nervous system and this seems to have potential.
Any thoughts on how to get Medicare to cover it?
Thanks for ANY help!!

lkirnbauer | @lkirnbauer | Mar 25 8:37am

In reply to @meow "Hello All, this is my first time on here. I am very curious about exploring the..." + (show)

I’ve lost my taste and smell since December of 2022 and it’s now March 2025. I’ve had 7 Stellate Ganglion Block injections and the 7th one took care of my overactive nervous system and I no longer have the “jitters”. I live in the suburbs of Chicago and had these done at our Northwestern Hospital in the city, in their Pain Management Clinic. I asked to have a sedative before the procedure, so they gave me a “twilight” medication and I was able to be relaxed and slept during the procedure. You don’t have to be sedated, but my B/P would shoot up high due to being nervous and this helped me. I would highly recommend this procedure for PTSD or anxiety, overactive nervous system for sure as it really helped me. I am on Medicare and they covered every single injection. Do it, you will not regret it.

pillpd01 | @pillpd01 | Mar 25 11:29am

In reply to @meow "Hello All, this is my first time on here. I am very curious about exploring the..." + (show)

Medicare covers esp if headache or pain in head

meiyangyang | @meiyangyang | 5 days ago

In reply to @dloos "I’m looking into trying this. If anybody else out there has given it a try please..." + (show)

Hi, have you tried the therapy?

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