Nerve block?

mruczko
mruczko Member Posts: 110
in Breast Cancer #1
I am suffering chronic pain from lymph node removal under the left arm. There seem to be 2 types - one a burning sensation, like someone lit a blow torch under my armpit, and another pain radiating down the truck and towards the left. Surgery was May 2010. I saw a pain management guy who increased my dosage of Gabapentin to 1200 mg, which makes it difficult for me to function, even though I am retired. He talked about a nerve block. There is nothing he can do for the pain directly under the arm pit, he is afraid it may paralyze the arm, but the other type pain he thinks could be helped. Nerve blocks can only be done in a hospital setting and I am scared to let them get at me again for fear more harm will be done. Has anyone out there had a nerve block and if so, what were the results. Very much appreciate your help!
Marlene

Comments

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #2
    sorry you are going through
    sorry you are going through this..the only time I have dealt with nerve block was when I had shoulder surgery and shoulder manipulation...

    I hope things get better for you...

    Denise
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #3
    disneyfan2008 said:

    sorry you are going through
    sorry you are going through this..the only time I have dealt with nerve block was when I had shoulder surgery and shoulder manipulation...

    I hope things get better for you...

    Denise

    Physical therapy
    Physical therapy have helped me. I am not sure because tolerance level is different for each individual, but my PT did a massage and gave me exercises and stretches to do at home. I hope you do not have nerve damage. Please talk to your surgeon who did your armpit about your pain.
    Wishing you quick improvement
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #4
    Me too
    Hi, I had my BMX with SNB and have severe chronic neuropathy from the moment I woke up from surgery and it's been a nightmare. I have your symptoms in larger areas, plus more. I am still unable to use my arms for ADL's without severe pain. I finally found occupational therapists who seem to know what they are doing (I see two, they job share), but only started last week.I was on 1200 mg of gabapentin, but recently saw the pain clinic. He upped my gabapentin to 1800 mg per day, added 25 mg of amytriptoline (sp?), still the vicodin as needed. At my first appt. on 7/1/11 he offered the nerve block. There are different kinds. He started out with a nerve block for the right side in the ganglion nerves. He put lidocain on my neck then put about a six inch needle with a tube on the end in. Not going to tell you it didn't hurt.As the drug took effect, it felt like it was hard to breathe, hard to swallow, my right face drooped but after some time those effects wore off.I was unable to use the the right arm as it felt limp, so thank goodness my partner had come to the appt with me. I have to say, it has not totally eliminated my pain. It has been reduced, however. I go back in a week to get the left side done. The pain dr. told me that we will see how this goes. If it doesn't seem to be helping as much, there is another type of pain nerve block he can do, plus med adjustments. I really hear you on the drowsy loopy part of medication, but after five months of not being able to use my arms normally for everyday things because of such severe pain and symptoms, I am desperate to try what ever my pain doctor has to offer. The psychological effects of pain are worse for me than the droopiness/loopiness/drowsiness.So, I am in the trial and error phase of my pain management.But even though the pain is not totally gone, at least it's a smidge less than it was before and hopefully with time, he can reduce my pain on my upper body (arms, armpits, chest, back) to a livable level.
  • mruczko
    mruczko Member Posts: 110
    #5
    cinnamonsmile said:

    Me too
    Hi, I had my BMX with SNB and have severe chronic neuropathy from the moment I woke up from surgery and it's been a nightmare. I have your symptoms in larger areas, plus more. I am still unable to use my arms for ADL's without severe pain. I finally found occupational therapists who seem to know what they are doing (I see two, they job share), but only started last week.I was on 1200 mg of gabapentin, but recently saw the pain clinic. He upped my gabapentin to 1800 mg per day, added 25 mg of amytriptoline (sp?), still the vicodin as needed. At my first appt. on 7/1/11 he offered the nerve block. There are different kinds. He started out with a nerve block for the right side in the ganglion nerves. He put lidocain on my neck then put about a six inch needle with a tube on the end in. Not going to tell you it didn't hurt.As the drug took effect, it felt like it was hard to breathe, hard to swallow, my right face drooped but after some time those effects wore off.I was unable to use the the right arm as it felt limp, so thank goodness my partner had come to the appt with me. I have to say, it has not totally eliminated my pain. It has been reduced, however. I go back in a week to get the left side done. The pain dr. told me that we will see how this goes. If it doesn't seem to be helping as much, there is another type of pain nerve block he can do, plus med adjustments. I really hear you on the drowsy loopy part of medication, but after five months of not being able to use my arms normally for everyday things because of such severe pain and symptoms, I am desperate to try what ever my pain doctor has to offer. The psychological effects of pain are worse for me than the droopiness/loopiness/drowsiness.So, I am in the trial and error phase of my pain management.But even though the pain is not totally gone, at least it's a smidge less than it was before and hopefully with time, he can reduce my pain on my upper body (arms, armpits, chest, back) to a livable level.

    Nerve block
    Hi Cinnamon:
    I think we talked about this before. I was going to ask you today how your visit to the pain guy went. Saw the oncologist for my PET and blood test results - all ok, hallelujah! Brought up the pain, AGAIN. Oncologist thought putting a nerve block in down the trunk is "no big deal", yeah, right, not for him. I have an appointment with the pain guy beginning of Aug. He told me that 1800 mg Gabapentin is the "therapeutic" dose and since I couldn't take it he prescribed a compounded salve of Gabapentin, $250/month, which the insurance refused to pay. My oncologist suggested I buy an OTC gel containing Lidocaine and apply it 2 or 3 times/day over as small an area as possible. This helps somewhat. I am going to classes 3xweek, stretching, swimming, some aerobics. Movement in my arm is quite good, but I do have the feeling there is a little lymph edema under the down the trunk and the top part of my arm. I am going to check this out, too. The pain is less, don't know if this is due to meds or time elapsed. We, who suffer this pain, need to raise bloody hell with the medical profession to make sure we get the treatment we eed.
    Thank you all, Marlene
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #6
    New Flower said:

    Physical therapy
    Physical therapy have helped me. I am not sure because tolerance level is different for each individual, but my PT did a massage and gave me exercises and stretches to do at home. I hope you do not have nerve damage. Please talk to your surgeon who did your armpit about your pain.
    Wishing you quick improvement

    Like New Flower, exercise
    Like New Flower, exercise helped me after my lumpectomy and lymph nodes removal. I hope you find something to help you.


    Jan
  • mruczko
    mruczko Member Posts: 110
    #7
    cinnamonsmile said:

    Me too
    Hi, I had my BMX with SNB and have severe chronic neuropathy from the moment I woke up from surgery and it's been a nightmare. I have your symptoms in larger areas, plus more. I am still unable to use my arms for ADL's without severe pain. I finally found occupational therapists who seem to know what they are doing (I see two, they job share), but only started last week.I was on 1200 mg of gabapentin, but recently saw the pain clinic. He upped my gabapentin to 1800 mg per day, added 25 mg of amytriptoline (sp?), still the vicodin as needed. At my first appt. on 7/1/11 he offered the nerve block. There are different kinds. He started out with a nerve block for the right side in the ganglion nerves. He put lidocain on my neck then put about a six inch needle with a tube on the end in. Not going to tell you it didn't hurt.As the drug took effect, it felt like it was hard to breathe, hard to swallow, my right face drooped but after some time those effects wore off.I was unable to use the the right arm as it felt limp, so thank goodness my partner had come to the appt with me. I have to say, it has not totally eliminated my pain. It has been reduced, however. I go back in a week to get the left side done. The pain dr. told me that we will see how this goes. If it doesn't seem to be helping as much, there is another type of pain nerve block he can do, plus med adjustments. I really hear you on the drowsy loopy part of medication, but after five months of not being able to use my arms normally for everyday things because of such severe pain and symptoms, I am desperate to try what ever my pain doctor has to offer. The psychological effects of pain are worse for me than the droopiness/loopiness/drowsiness.So, I am in the trial and error phase of my pain management.But even though the pain is not totally gone, at least it's a smidge less than it was before and hopefully with time, he can reduce my pain on my upper body (arms, armpits, chest, back) to a livable level.

    Nerve block
    Cinnamonsmile:
    Hope you can smile a little now. Please, do keep me informed on how things are going with you. Would like to have as much info as possible for my appointment with the pain guy early August. Can you move your arm now? Poor thing, you have do deal with it on both sides, at least I have it "only" on one. It sucks.....
    Marlene
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #8
    mruczko said:

    Nerve block
    Cinnamonsmile:
    Hope you can smile a little now. Please, do keep me informed on how things are going with you. Would like to have as much info as possible for my appointment with the pain guy early August. Can you move your arm now? Poor thing, you have do deal with it on both sides, at least I have it "only" on one. It sucks.....
    Marlene

    Hi Marlene,Saw a different
    Hi Marlene,
    Saw a different pain dr today cuz mine was on vacation. He used a little different technique and looked around my neck a little bit more before I got the nerve block. I could tell the difference, this time it was not hard to breathe, but...my right side of my face got droopy, it's a side effect that goes away though. Swallowing was a little harder this time too, but agian, side effect that goes away. My pain clinic is VERY thorough in wanting to know ALL my nerve damage symptoms. The dr I saw today said that two nerve blocks a week is what he recommends at first, so I am going in for another on friday morning. The upped gabapentin to 1800 mg/day plus the nerve block and the amytriptoline (sp?) so i sleep the whole night seems to be working really good. i did all kinds of things in the house and yard today that normally would have put me in tears on vicodin. I am a little sore, but the pain is gone for the most part. there is a part of my upper side, armpit, and back that seems to be a bugger. the doc said lets get the rest under control and then see about that specific part. I am much happier and more hopefull than i have been since i had my bmx with snb on 1/11/11. oh and i am still going to occupational therapy for an hour twice a week, they do massage on me, stretching and some strength training now (two pound weight lol). hopefully they send you paper work to fill out ahead of time to describe your pain etc with your health history.
    today was an awesome, awesome day!!!
    p.s. my partner wanted to make sure i let you know that the shots hurt like heck. this one was worse in the neck, but better across the clavicle without the tube, but the few moments of pain are really paying off.
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #9
    oh, and i too get very tired
    oh, and i too get very tired from the gabapentin, but i dont work either. i look at it, that when i am awake, at least i feel better, nap when i need to, do what i can when awake. i would rather have the tired, loopy feeling than pain. its a trade off. seems like you can never have it all with serious illnesses.
  • mruczko
    mruczko Member Posts: 110
    #10
    cinnamonsmile said:

    Hi Marlene,Saw a different
    Hi Marlene,
    Saw a different pain dr today cuz mine was on vacation. He used a little different technique and looked around my neck a little bit more before I got the nerve block. I could tell the difference, this time it was not hard to breathe, but...my right side of my face got droopy, it's a side effect that goes away though. Swallowing was a little harder this time too, but agian, side effect that goes away. My pain clinic is VERY thorough in wanting to know ALL my nerve damage symptoms. The dr I saw today said that two nerve blocks a week is what he recommends at first, so I am going in for another on friday morning. The upped gabapentin to 1800 mg/day plus the nerve block and the amytriptoline (sp?) so i sleep the whole night seems to be working really good. i did all kinds of things in the house and yard today that normally would have put me in tears on vicodin. I am a little sore, but the pain is gone for the most part. there is a part of my upper side, armpit, and back that seems to be a bugger. the doc said lets get the rest under control and then see about that specific part. I am much happier and more hopefull than i have been since i had my bmx with snb on 1/11/11. oh and i am still going to occupational therapy for an hour twice a week, they do massage on me, stretching and some strength training now (two pound weight lol). hopefully they send you paper work to fill out ahead of time to describe your pain etc with your health history.
    today was an awesome, awesome day!!!
    p.s. my partner wanted to make sure i let you know that the shots hurt like heck. this one was worse in the neck, but better across the clavicle without the tube, but the few moments of pain are really paying off.

    nerve block
    Hi Dear:
    Thank you so much for your reply. Brain isn't working too swift, so I'll be reading your posts very carefully before I see the dr. Had to fill out a huge questionaire, guess they want to be sure we are not dope addicts! He as well as his PA asked me a ton of questions about the pain, what kind, where, how, describe...and I had a problem putting it into words - heck, doctor, it hurts! I must make sure to be more precise. Lord have mercy - 2 blocks per week???? I have 2 kinds of pain - the awful burning under the arm pit and another type I simply can't describe, along the trunk and towards the back, also down the arm, but I could live with that. Maybe I should have insisted on Physical therapy after all, if nothing else but to get the massage. Dr. seems to be content with me doing my own thing at the Health Club. Let's see what the internist has to say on the 26th, I am not giving up. The Lidocaine gel husband got me on the recommendation of the oncologist has Menthol in it, it seems to make matters worse. Went to Walgreen's but they didn't have anything OTC. My Cancer support volunteer had 23 lymph nodes removed plus a mastectomy 5 years ago, Stage III, chemo, rad, the works, sailed through it, all she has is some numbess down the arm - go figure!
    Thanks again, and I am so very happy for you.
    Marlene
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #11
    mruczko said:

    nerve block
    Hi Dear:
    Thank you so much for your reply. Brain isn't working too swift, so I'll be reading your posts very carefully before I see the dr. Had to fill out a huge questionaire, guess they want to be sure we are not dope addicts! He as well as his PA asked me a ton of questions about the pain, what kind, where, how, describe...and I had a problem putting it into words - heck, doctor, it hurts! I must make sure to be more precise. Lord have mercy - 2 blocks per week???? I have 2 kinds of pain - the awful burning under the arm pit and another type I simply can't describe, along the trunk and towards the back, also down the arm, but I could live with that. Maybe I should have insisted on Physical therapy after all, if nothing else but to get the massage. Dr. seems to be content with me doing my own thing at the Health Club. Let's see what the internist has to say on the 26th, I am not giving up. The Lidocaine gel husband got me on the recommendation of the oncologist has Menthol in it, it seems to make matters worse. Went to Walgreen's but they didn't have anything OTC. My Cancer support volunteer had 23 lymph nodes removed plus a mastectomy 5 years ago, Stage III, chemo, rad, the works, sailed through it, all she has is some numbess down the arm - go figure!
    Thanks again, and I am so very happy for you.
    Marlene

    The two blocks per week is
    The two blocks per week is short term to get me started. I use whatever words I can think of...my favorite is that after the nerve block my arm feels "noodley"!!!! I have so many different symptoms in different places that it is very difficult to describe on drawings and paperwork, but the staff really listens and takes notes on what symptoms I have on what areas, what aggravates me what makes me feel good,etc. I am a little concerned that he got the nerve block in the perfect place in my neck a couple days ago and now has to shoot me again in the neck, and I'm sure he can't put the needle in the same spot. I guess I will find out bright and early tomorrow. I would still ask for occupational therapy with someone who has experience with this sort of thing. I had one last spring that really didn't know what she was doing. At least maybe try an evaluation? What my OTs do for me is completely different than what I ever did at a gym/health club. They are treating my pain, scar tissue, strength training, stretching,etc.I hope you see the difference.I would be on the phone telling the oncologist the effects the lidocaine has on you.I had an internist tell me that creams may not be good for me because they can work against pain relief for this sort of thing, but everyone is so different in how they react to things. It feels nice to connect to someone going thru this too.

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