A 20-year-old member asked:
20 year old female ruq abdominal pain . is it good to keep getting celiac plexus blocks. for abdominal pain. ?
5 doctor answers • 20 doctors weighed in
Dr. Karen Sibertanswered
Anesthesiology 41 years experience
What's the cause?: It depends on the cause of the pain. If it's due to a treatable cause such as gall bladder disease, it may be better to have the gall bladder removed. Repeated blocks would only be indicated if there is no treatment to remove the cause of the pain. It is very important to have an exact diagnosis for abdominal pain, which can be due to many different problems.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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Dr. Rita Agarwal commented
Anesthesiology 37 years experience
It also depends on wether the blocks are helping or not
Mar 15, 2012
Dr. Romanth Waghmaraeanswered
Pain Management 41 years experience
RUQ pain: The answer depends on what the diagnosis is - is this sympathetic, somatic or visceral pain. It is never a good idea to receive any block indefinitely. As long as the block produces sustainable relief that is meaningful then yes, if not then no.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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Dr. Scott Mackinnonanswered
Anesthesiology 35 years experience
Depends on cause: In a 20 yo female, one must consider other causes of pain such as gallbladder disease. It could be dangerous to be fooled into thinking the pain is from the original cause(that which made you get the blocks to begin with)is the only cause, as other things that give rise to pain, if unchecked, could result in more illness. Make sure doctor is certain of the cause.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Douglas Goldsmithanswered
Anesthesiology 67 years experience
No: You are doing more harm than good if further investigation is not carried out before further "blocks" are contemplated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Janice Vaughnanswered
Anesthesiology 45 years experience
What's the story?: This depends on how well you were worked up by your pain specialist, his diagnosis, the number of blocks that you have had previously and duration of relief. I would suggest that you discuss this with your pain doctor and ask about alternatives to the celiac plexus block.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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