nerve block for pain

[Iminhere]

I have NF1 with several fibromas under my ribs which have become more painful over the last few years some days a 9-10 on the pain scale.  I had a neurologist that prescribed Lidoderm patches topical 12 hours on 12 off that were effective.  I have new health insurance that won't cover the patches.  I went to a new pain management doc that prescribed a cream that works quite well.  Here is the question he wants to do a nerve block to ease the pain more long term could collapse a lung during the procedure.  Has anyone had a nerve block injection for their pain and was it effective.  Please help if you can.  I have a bad feeling about having this done. Thanks

[evewisewoman]

Hi iminhere,

I just finished reading your comments. You say a doctor is recommending
a nerve block. Approach with caution. My mom who is in her early eighties
is in chronic pain due to a very bad fall a number of years ago. She underwent a nerve block about two years ago now. The procedure was done by a surgeon in a well respected hospital. My mom did not find
the nerve block helpful at all. Every case is different , I realize. I would
ask the doctor what is the nerve block composed of. i.e. what is in the nerve block? Sometimes they put botox in nerve blocks. Out of curiosity
what is NF1 ?  Am I reading this correctly? Your doctor is telling you there
is a possibility of one of your lungs collapsing as a result of this procedure? If this is the case,  I would think your answer should be "no". As I stated,
my mom had a nerve block done and she found there was no improvement. I wish you well. I would be very cautious about agreeing
to nerve blocks. Eve

[shinty]

I get a few different injections in my spine regularly and they help me a lot. There is risk in almost any medical procedure. The trick is to weigh the potential benefits with the risk involved. my advice would be to try the nerve block. it may help ease your pain considerably. Ask the doctor how many of the type of nerve block you need he/she has done, and how many had any complications. The answer will probably surprise you. Most doctors wouldn't offer a procedure if they felt it wouldn't benefit you (I hope so anyway!). Good luck,
   shinty