Hi Karyn. I had intended to update people with how I have fared after the first round of nerve blocks, but I wanted to give it a few days before doing so. I had the procedure in King Edward V11 hospital in London last Tuesday. They were done by Dr. Andrew Baranowski, under sedation (that's me who was sedated, not him (o;). For anyone about to have them, all I can say is there is absolutely nothing to concern yourself with about the procedure when carried out under sedation, I don't remember a thing. Dr. B. was quite definate about doing them under sedation incidentally, and I was happy to take his advice. He has since corresponded with Professor Carlstedt who originally referred me to him for diagnosis before considering surgery, saying that "good end points were acheived as demonstrated by motor response to nerve stimulation".
Since then I have to say that other than a little relief on the following day, the pain levels remain the same, but this is no worse than before and frankly pretty much what Dr. B suggested would likely be the case after the first blocks. I am due to have the next blocks on 1st February. I did have a slight reaction to the Steroids, flushed face, feeling hot, but that passed okay. Thankfully, no sign of any flare so far, hope that continues to be the case.
So, no pain relief to speak of, but that as I say was my expectation for the first round, more hopeful for the next ones. Had a phone call from Dr. B's secretary today asking me to keep a daily diary recording pain levels etc. as this would help the diagnosis. I will just have to be patient until I see Dr. B in three weeks time.
Kind regards,
John
First Nerve Block tomorrow.....
Re: First Nerve Block tomorrow.....
Thanks very much for the update, John! 
Best wishes with round #2!
Warm regards,
Karyn
Best wishes with round #2!
Warm regards,
Karyn
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Re: First Nerve Block tomorrow.....
Thankyou John, it is good of you to post about this.
I do find it interesting that the people - including yourself - who have had nerve blocks done here in the UK don't seem to get the post-block pain flares that seem to be commonly reported in the US. I hope that #2 goes well for you, and that you start to get some real pain relief!
I do find it interesting that the people - including yourself - who have had nerve blocks done here in the UK don't seem to get the post-block pain flares that seem to be commonly reported in the US. I hope that #2 goes well for you, and that you start to get some real pain relief!