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.

dmphillips | @dmphillips | Apr 5 11:36am

In reply to @pillpd01 "Thank you. That was very helpful" + (show)

Interesting results! I, too, have uncontrollable blood pressure and tachycardia. and now COVID-induced asthma. Cardiac workup shows nothing (heart monitor and echocardiogram).
I haven't finished my lung workup (cardiac workup was required to rule out before lung workup), but I suspect the same.

After some research, I read an article NIH published regarding the vagus nerve and parasympathetic system upset directly attributable to COVID. There are thousands of recommended exercises (simple and free) that I have been seriously undertaking (in the last week). I have made significant progress in getting this under control. So much so, will soon ask for a 1/2 reduction in both BP and HR meds if this trend continues for the next 2 weeks. I looked at the ganglion block, but because I'm still not through the lung testing, I'm a ways out from any such treatment. Keeping it in my back pocket just in case.

When I initially had COVID, I read about using lavender oil to retrain my brain to smell. I completed the recommended process, and my sense of smell slowly returned in three weeks. Not sure if a direct correlation, but I was happy when my sense of smell returned. I don't believe I have any smell loss - 6 months past the initial infection.

oldhiker73 | @oldhiker73 | 6 days ago

In reply to @dmphillips "Interesting results! I, too, have uncontrollable blood pressure and tachycardia. and now COVID-induced asthma. Cardiac workup..." + (show)

My wife Diana has had LC for about 3 years. After the usual struggles finding a Dr that would work with her we found a PCP that was willing to try Prendisone. The course of treatment did help but didn't provide significant improvement. Last fall while reading this blog I found the sections regarding using the Stellage Ganglion Block as a treatment. We researched it and found several small studies (40-50 participants) that showed benefits from the SGB. After discussing it Diana said she wanted to try it. Her PCP was willing to give her a referral to the local Pain Clinic and we met with a Dr there that was willing to try the procedure to see if it would help. On 3/27/25 she had a single shot on the right side performed. The results have been very good. I have been logging each of the first 10 days and how it has gone. I will attach that log to this site.

Please note, we are NOT doctors and this isn't medical advice. It is however a personal account of a treatment she tried that has helped her as an individual. This treatment isn't a cure all but for LC sufferers it is something to be looked at. I wonder if it is more helpful if your symptoms fall more into the autonomic nervous system categories than others?

Shared files

Stellate Ganglion Block Results with Long Covid (Stellate-Ganglion-Block-Results-with-Long-Covid.pdf)