Unsure about nerve block. Any advice?

[jennjenn]

Hi, I am looking into a hypogastric plexus nerve block and Im feeling very apprehensive about going through with it. I would appreciate any advice from people that have tried it and how it went for you. Did it help IC? Did it make things better than they were or worse?

I read the papers they make you sign about the complications and I am not sure its worth trying because of that. This makes it hard to make a firm decision. I would like to hear anyones experience with this. I plan on talking to my doctor about this but I am also a little afraid to since Ive already said I would go ahead and do it. I would really like to hear from people who have done this nerve block.

I have done some reading and it seems like the block is more for cramping, squeesing type pelvic and bladder pain. I am experiencing more severe irritation, urgency and frequency, burning and pain as the bladder fills which can cause me to have spasms. I hope I am doing the right thing. :confused::help:.

Thank you!

[Romans8:28]

I am sorry I can't be of more help.... I caught your post because I am considering having a nerve block as well. My situation is a little more difficult. I am to have a pretty extensive stone surgery on Aug. 4th. I found an article by the Washington post stating that some anethesia could actually increase pain after surgery. Since they are cleaning a large amount of calcifications deep in both of my kidneys and I have IC, I am very concerned about the after pain! MY GP actually encouraged me to ask about getting a epidural instead so that they could actually use it afterward to also control pain! HOwever today, I talked to a sales rep from the Holmium laser company, that is the machine used in my surgery. He said he had never heard of this procedure being done with an epidrual alone, however since patients can often move even under anethesia, they can give a nerve block or epidural too to keep the patient unable to move from the waist down. Then they can also use that as a way to help control the after pain! So I am seriously going to check into that option!

All that said I have a friend that gets a nerve block every few months for her back, however the benefit she has also gotten from it is it controls her IC as well!!

Shelly

[jennjenn]

I am glad to hear your friend did okay with it. I am really scared and feel like I have to do it? I am mostly concerned about the fact if they take feeling away in your bladder or numb the pain how can you tell if you have to pee? I am wondering about retention and if it helps frequency and urge for some. I also want to know how long do these blocks usually last. I did ask some of this to the doctor but prefer to know how others have done with it too.

[barbclay]

I have had three nerve blocks done in the past 6 months. The first two did nothing. he did it on the left side of my spine. I wanted to try again because my husband and I were going on our first vacation alone. It seemed to help but for only about two weeks. But, I had also started the detro the week before, and that has helped wonderfuly. Anyway even on the third one he was more agressive with it, and used more meds, but I never had a numb feeling anywhere. In fact the last ime when he was done, my husband and I did some shopping and went to lunch. I was put to sleep the first and third time. Even when I wasn't put out, it was not that bad. But, I request to be put out now. We will be trying one more in the middle of aug. He is going to do things a little different and use more meds.He said I will have to be awake part of the time. Our goal with this is to get the pain relief to last longer. But, I just wanted to let you know I had no problems at all-or pain from the block its self.

[mlzippy7]

I have had many different kinds of nerve blocks.
If I can help in any way please feel free to email and I will
try to help!
Good Luck!