I'm a suffer of "TOS and RSD," and I need some information on your outcome after having your surgery {Exploration/Stellate Ganglion Blockage/Sympathectomy} preformed. I have been selected as a good candidate for the surgery, since I didn't have any improvement after taking just meds. Before, I agree on the procedure I'm hoping that I receive some good input from individual's that have done the procedure. If possible I would like to know if your surgery helped you? Did you still have to take "Meds," to get some type of sleep/rest? Did the surgery relieve the pain in your upper extremity? Would you suggest pursuing the surgical treatment, knowing very well that it's a 50% chance of improvement? What would you elect?

Having experienced double lumbar sympathectomies, I feel that the negatives far out weigh the positives. If the doctors tell you that you'll never experience RSD in the legs again ... tell them they are telling big porkies!

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Chopper,
Thanks, didn't think anyone would answer the question?
Regards,

Hi! I had the thoracic sympathectomy in 1993, and was pain-free for 5 wonderful years. When the neve grew back, the pain came back with a vengence. It is in my rt. arm, neck and face. I would have it done again in a second, even for 3 weeks relief. Please let me know the dr. who will preform this as the docs here won't do this operation anymore. They say the bad out weigh the good. Wishing you some pain-free moments, Ruth

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I have RSD in my RT hand due to a botched cts surgery........2+ years now....I've been on lots of meds which make you feel better but doesn't touch the pain much.........I finally hooked up with a doc that was willing to work with me........I tried the ganglion block;with very short and minor relief........I also was using a tens unit with some relief....recently I had a nerve stimulator implanted..this has given me the best results so far........ next option was the surgery that you are talking about....If I were you I would explore every other option before going forward with it;because that surgery is permenent.......best of luck to you........keep fighting......

itsme2 Where are you from......I know a great doc at UW medical center.in Seattle WA Originally posted by itsme2:
Hi! I had the thoracic sympathectomy in 1993, and was pain-free for 5 wonderful years. When the neve grew back, the pain came back with a vengence. It is in my rt. arm, neck and face. I would have it done again in a second, even for 3 weeks relief. Please let me know the dr. who will preform this as the docs here won't do this operation anymore. They say the bad out weigh the good. Wishing you some pain-free moments, Ruth

hi i had a spinal sympathectomy in 1999 and all went well pain went and everything but then i went and broke my wrist and i have RSD in my wrist now
A lady that had the same procudure for the same problem RSD in left foot. and it did not work
i thought it was worth the chance anything to get rid of the pain even for awhile was worth it to me
good luck
Nat