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Stellate Ganglion Blocks covered by Anthem BC/BS and Cigna for PTSD treatment

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Laura29

New Here
Hi, I'm new here. I was searching through threads for info on Stellate Ganglion Blocks to see what info is available on this site.

I am scheduled for my 5th Stellate Ganglion Block on Dec 17, 21. My first one was last April and even though I've had to have 4 and need another my life has been transformed. My PCL-C score was 66 (the top score is 80 and 30 is indicative of PTSD) before my first. I was suicidal and all other treatments including EMDR, therapy, and meds only minimally helped me. After my first SGB my Dr had me retake the PCL-C test and my score dropped to 46. After my 2nd one, it dropped down to 21!!!! It has literally saved my life! After the 2nd one, I started to slowly get off my depression and anxiety meds with supervision. When I was almost off I had my 3rd and my 4th when completely off 2 months later. I am still in therapy. I had been on psych meds for over 30 years, and whenever I tried to get off them in the past I got extremely suicidal. I never knew I had PTSD until the covid lockdowns and I started having flashbacks to the emotional abuse and abandonment when I was a child. I am really fortunate that I survived b/c the suicidal ideations were terrible. In my experience with Anthem BC/BS and Cigna, insurance covers them 100% for the treatment of PTSD now that it is well established that it is a very beneficial treatment. Know not everyone needs to have as many as I have, each person is different, and yes, they don't help everyone.

Here are 2 scientific articles that you can read if you'd like - Behavioral health clinicians endorse stellate ganglion block as a valuable intervention in the treatment of trauma-related disorders (You will notice SGB is rated higher than all treatments for PTSD), and Clinical Guidelines for Stellate Ganglion Block to Treat Anxiety Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (I've always had left-sided blocks and it works just fine). Good luck!!
 
Wow! I’ve never heard of this treatment before. Do you know how long the results last? Thanks for sharing.
 
You will notice SGB is rated higher than all treatments for PTSD
Subjectively, by the 23 recipients who were being studied.

The second paper recommends SGB treatment as an adjunct to other therapies.

Definitely something to keep an eye out for in terms of further research. It's awesome that it's working for you.

Unfortunately, it's one of many novel treatments for ptsd still not available in Australia.
 
Hi, I'm new here. I was searching through threads for info on Stellate Ganglion Blocks to see what info is available on this site.

I am scheduled for my 5th Stellate Ganglion Block on Dec 17, 21. My first one was last April and even though I've had to have 4 and need another my life has been transformed. My PCL-C score was 66 (the top score is 80 and 30 is indicative of PTSD) before my first. I was suicidal and all other treatments including EMDR, therapy, and meds only minimally helped me. After my first SGB my Dr had me retake the PCL-C test and my score dropped to 46. After my 2nd one, it dropped down to 21!!!! It has literally saved my life! After the 2nd one, I started to slowly get off my depression and anxiety meds with supervision. When I was almost off I had my 3rd and my 4th when completely off 2 months later. I am still in therapy. I had been on psych meds for over 30 years, and whenever I tried to get off them in the past I got extremely suicidal. I never knew I had PTSD until the covid lockdowns and I started having flashbacks to the emotional abuse and abandonment when I was a child. I am really fortunate that I survived b/c the suicidal ideations were terrible. In my experience with Anthem BC/BS and Cigna, insurance covers them 100% for the treatment of PTSD now that it is well established that it is a very beneficial treatment. Know not everyone needs to have as many as I have, each person is different, and yes, they don't help everyone.

Here are 2 scientific articles that you can read if you'd like - Behavioral health clinicians endorse stellate ganglion block as a valuable intervention in the treatment of trauma-related disorders (You will notice SGB is rated higher than all treatments for PTSD), and Clinical Guidelines for Stellate Ganglion Block to Treat Anxiety Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (I've always had left-sided blocks and it works just fine). Good luck!!
Hi. I saw your post and wondered how you had anthem bc/bs cover this. It seems everything I’ve read says they won’t. Did you have to make a special request?
 
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