Stellate Ganglion Block for Pain Hyperacusis (Noxacusis)

[LilCC]

Hello everyone. On the 11th of November I will be going to get the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) in hopes of relieving my catastrophic noxacusis.

A little bit about myself:

I have been dealing with hyperacusis for around 2 years now. The first few months were mild and it was mainly loudness hyperacusis. That quickly escalated into moderate loudness hyperacusis and to what I have now, which I consider to be one of the most severe pain hyperacusis cases around the hyperacusis community.

You guys may ask what makes mine so severe? Well, I have deep stabbing pain, the most diabolical of all pains. It feels as though someone is constantly yanking razor wire out of my ears. I know most people's stabbing pain goes away as long as the noise source is dealt with. For me the stabbing pain lingers for days, for weeks and sometimes months. Truly, this is a diabolical pain that should only be inflicted on the most treacherous of human beings, and even then I'd think it would be inhumane to have them suffer like this. I have dealt with the classical (lava pain) and other aches that come with pain hyperacusis, but the stabbing pain is on a league of its own.

I am at my wits' end with the excruciating pain and so I'm forced to start trying experimental solutions that are not only super expensive but might not work. The SGB shot seems to have the least amount of risk and side affects, hence why it's my first choice of treatment. I have read an article of a patient that had stabbing pain hyperacusis and the SGB shot relieved that problem for some days. She got more shots and it worked for months and so on. Though the SGB shot is by no means a cure, it might be able to give me some relief of this horrendous deep stabbing pain that I'm feeling. Anyone else got this done before?

I'll be updating when I get my first shot.

 

[LilCC]

Tomorrow is my SGB appointment. Here are the drugs they will be using in the whole procedure:

1. Versed (Midazolam) through IV for sedation.

2. Lidocaine for numbing the neck area (will be on the left area)

3. Ropivacaine (anesthetic) that goes in the stellate ganglion nerve.

 

[CRGC]

Tomorrow is my SGB appointment. Here are the drugs they will be using in the whole procedure:

1. Versed (Midazolam) through IV for sedation.

2. Lidocaine for numbing the neck area (will be on the left area)

3. Ropivacaine (anesthetic) that goes in the stellate ganglion nerve.

Wishing you good luck with the procedure! I hope everything goes well and that it provides you some relief.

 

[UKBloke]

Tomorrow is my SGB appointment. Here are the drugs they will be using in the whole procedure:

1. Versed (Midazolam) through IV for sedation.

2. Lidocaine for numbing the neck area (will be on the left area)

3. Ropivacaine (anesthetic) that goes in the stellate ganglion nerve.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Good luck!

 

[D'Angelo]

Tomorrow is my SGB appointment. Here are the drugs they will be using in the whole procedure:

1. Versed (Midazolam) through IV for sedation.

2. Lidocaine for numbing the neck area (will be on the left area)

3. Ropivacaine (anesthetic) that goes in the stellate ganglion nerve.

Good luck. If it works, I might get one too

 

[ErikaS]

@LilCC, how are you doing from Monday? Hope some improvement.

 

[LilCC]

*Update*

My side affects after the shot:

• Droopy left eyelid
• Chest pressure
• Difficulty swallowing (feels like there is a knot on your throat)
• Hoarse, raspy voice
• Blood pressure drop
• Numbness on site injection
• Dizziness

The doctor said to give it some time to see if the shot actually works or not. The experience was overall uncomfortable, but I'm hoping it addresses one of my many ear issues, PTSD etc. So far the shot has definitely eased some of my other chronic pain, the anxiety and depression did seem to calm down a bit, but it hasn't really done much for my stabbing ear pain or tinnitus. It's too early to assess the situation, so I'll have to keep you guys posted.

 

[LostinTX]

The doctor said to give it some time to see if the shot actually works or not. The experience was overall uncomfortable, but I'm hoping it addresses one of my many ear issues, PTSD etc.

I did my SGB months back. I don't have pain hyperacusis. But I did 2 shots and it spiked the tinnitus bad so I didn't go back for more. Give us an update on your tinnitus when you can. Thank you!

 

[ECP]

Thank you for the update. I wish you continued healing and an excellent outcome.

 

[Taw]

Thanks for the post man. Some of us are in the same boat as you. The pain is constant, even in silence.

I will try a nerve block myself but on the trigeminal and occipital, that's where it hurts.

Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[Damocles]

My side affects after the shot:

• Droopy left eyelid
• Chest pressure
• Difficulty swallowing (feels like there is a knot on your throat)
• Hoarse, raspy voice
• Blood pressure drop
• Numbness on site injection
• Dizziness

Sounds like a normal weekend for me (except for number 6).

Anyway, on a serious note, really sorry you had to go through this mate. But thank you for sharing your experience, it will be incredibly useful for others suffering the same hyperacusis symptoms as you.

Like those above, really hope the unpleasant procedure results in something good for you.

Keep us posted.

 

[LilCC]

*1 week post SGB shot update*

I'm having weird side affects, these include:

• Stabbing pain on my chest
• Some balance issues

Overall I don't think the shot really did much, thus far. It might have lowered the pain on my trap and neck which I did have issues with. When it comes to my ear pain though, it has done absolutely nothing, still same debilitating pain that fluctuates throughout the day. I'm not sure if it's worth getting another shot on the right side of my neck.

 

[Aaron91]

*1 week post SGB shot update*

I'm having weird side affects, these include:

• Stabbing pain on my chest
• Some balance issues

Overall I don't think the shot really did much, thus far. It might have lowered the pain on my trap and neck which I did have issues with. When it comes to my ear pain though, it has done absolutely nothing, still same debilitating pain that fluctuates throughout the day. I'm not sure if it's worth getting another shot on the right side of my neck.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that some people don't respond to SGBs well when given to one side of the neck but very well to the other. It's poorly understood, but perhaps something to consider before making your final decision.

 

[BrOKeN_1]

Any updates?

 

[LloydB]

Any updates?

I was curious about this. It doesn't look like he has been online since November, I hope he is OK.