Re: celiac blocks

[Guest guest]

I've had 5 celiac plexus blocks done by my pain mgmt doc, an anesthesiologist.

Mine have been done by an injection in the spine that blocks the nerves in the

area where my pain is the worst. I didn't think I had much relief from the

first two, but they told me to be patient because it can take up to 4 to get

optimum results. After the 4th one, I really think it did help. I just had a

5th one a month ago and even though I was just in the hospital last week with an

attack, I really think the block helped. I was in the hospital 3 times in June,

well, actually 4 times if you count the overnight stay after the ERCP I had done

at Mayo. So, being in the hospital only once in July is a major improvement! A

lot of people have the endoscopic celiac blocks where they go down your throat.

I've heard you get even better results with those. However, those are out for

me because I had a gastric bypass in Dec 2001 and my intestines have been

re-routed. I intend to get the spinal celiac plexus blocks every few months for

the rest of my life because they do seem to cut down on the number of episodes

of the very severe pain that I have.

good luck,

[Guest guest]

Hi! Sorry you are in so much pain. I have been dx with chronic

pancreatitis also, with acute attacks that usually land me in the

hospital. I had a endoscope celiac plexus block done on June 2. I

felt great, no pain meds what so ever, I hiked, I worked on our

basement, nothing slowed me down, I felt great for the first time in

a long time, even considered going back to work full-time. On June

22 (20 days) my bubble burst. I had a terrible acute attack that

landed me in the hospital for a week, and I am still in lots of pain.

I was told that they prefer not to place endoscopic blocks less than

3 months apart...and more like 6. So now I am on a waiting list to

see a pain specialist to have the block done through the spine.

Would I do it again?...absolutely! Even with the short 3 weeks, it

was like heaven to feel great for the first time in what seems like

a lifetime of hurting 24/7. Oh, one thing I learned that may help

you to have a longer duration of pain relief...no matter how good

you feel, ALWAYS take your digestive enzymes. I felt so good that I

quit taking them, they suspect that may have been part of the

problem. I wish you the very best!

Suzi B.

Colorado

> Do celiac blocks really work? I am thinking of having it done for

> the first time. I have been in chronic pain for 3 years now, and

on

> strong pain medication. I have chronic pancreatitis and have had

> almost no help from doctors. Just 6 months ago, I was approved for

> Medicaid, so I am just now getting treatment. I have had

> ERCP,EGD,CT,MRI,Ultrasound,X-Ray. Docs still call it idiopathic.

> Anyone with advice? I'm so tired, and I'm only 29 years old. Some

> days it's almost overwhelming.