Guest guest Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Darren, You wrote, " I had my block done at Hennipen County Medical Center (HCMC) in Minneapolis, MN. under with general anesthesia... endoscopically. The block did work very well...has lasted over two months.. " That is so encouraging. You are the first one, (that I am aware of) to have this done under general. I would definitely give that a try, under those circumstances. Thanks for sharing that. Karyn E. , RN Executive Director, PAI http://www.pancassociation.org Pancreatitis Association International Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 Suzi, good look on your celiac plexus block. I've had 5 and am scheduled for the next one on Monday. All of mine have been done by my pain mgmt doc through the spine. I don't think I could have one endoscopically because of having a gastric bypass. They can't get to my pancreas via ERCP, so I assume they probably couldn't get far enough to do the block via endoscopy. The celiac plexus blocks through the back do seem to help me, but I tend to have a day or so after having them when I don't feel so great. Of course, I have a lot of days that I don't feel so great! My back always hurts when I wake up but they give me demerol, phenergan, and an ice pack. Use the ice as it helps tremendously. Normally by the time I get in the car, the pain in my back is minimal. I do use the ice on my back a few times a day for the rest of the day after I've had the block. Good luck, W ------------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by PCLNET, and is believed to be clean. Visit www.pclnet.net and get a 3Mbps cable modem! ------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Thank you, . My block went well, and you are right, my back hurts, but at least it is a different pain and not pancreas pain. I found the I prefer heat vs ice. The ice makes me so cold that I tense up and everything hurts worse. When you have had blocks done, does it hurt to breath deeply? (yawn...sigh)I am finding that the most painful part. I sneezed in the car on the way home from the hospital, that wasn't much fun either. Thank you for your insight! I really appreciate any advice I can get! Hugs, Suzi Colorado Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2004 Report Share Posted September 24, 2004 Suzi, I don't remember my back hurting when I breathe deep after the celiac plexus blocks, but it makes sense that it might. For some reason the first block hurt the most of all the ones I've had. I think I've had 5 or 6 and with all the rest by the time I got to the car, my back no longer hurt. I've had different symptoms with almost every one it seems. with one I had horrible lower belly pain and diarrhea. It was bad enough that I called my pain doc's nurse. She told me that was one of the side effects because doing the block can just kind of irritate everything in the stomach and intestines. That was on the 4th or 5th block I had and that was the only time I had that effect. She told me it should settle down within 3 days and she was right. The lower belly pain was pretty uncomfortable but totally different from the panc pain. My pain doc recommended that the first 3 or 4 blocks be pretty close together - don't remember the exact time. They said that typically you get longer results with each one up to the 3rd or 4th and that it can take 3 or 4 to get the maximum benefit. I wasn't really sure that they helped at all until the 3rd or 4th one. Even then, it was a little hard to tell at time because I do still have pain and I still have attacks. I had to look back at the calendar to realize I definitely have less pain, attacks, ER visits, and hospitalizations after having a block. Some people have months with no pain or at least no pain severe enough to warrant an ER visit after having the blocks. I hope that this will be the case for you. I don't know why my back hurt so bad with the first one and didn't hurt as long with the rest. I hope that is also the case with you if you have more blocks. Take care and do take it easy for the next day or so even though you may have less pain. Also, if you are a diabetic, keep a close watch on your blood sugar because the steriods they use with the block can wreak havoc on your blood sugar. W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.