News SGB PTSD Treatment Article

[katt]

Hope all goes well and you can let us know the crucials.

Well had the procedure 2//24. Had sedation, so for a couple of days very groggy...
Definately an effect, I can breathe more fully, totally integrated with my body which is new....was very dissassociated with body. Activities more deliberate, the little things in life/ to- do more satisfying.
Trips to grocery store used to be difficult, was startled when people came around the corner.

My biggest issue is the nights, lots of vivid dreams...but not night terror. I found prazosin before which had help with the night terrors, definately recommend. Dreams different from the prazosin but similiar-even more trival with SGB and vivid...but lots of them, so somewhat exhausting. It is like I queued up every normal dream for the past 30 years and going through them in detail. Test taking, missing college tests...never had these dreams before- just night terrors.

To those who had the procedure, do they subside? or slow down

THe other problem is my sore throat and very congested. Have a call into the office to see if result of procedure and will go away. It was the first thing I felt after procedure, extremely sore throat and stuffiness.
Anybody else experience this, does it go away overtime?

But overall was impressed with Dr. Lipov and his knowledge...I am still a "wait and see" but I can feel the effect, hope it lasts and that other problems with throat and vivid dreams die down.
Any advice from those who had the procedure on after effects would be so helpful

 

[katt]

You know, I could have just picked up something cold/virus from the plane trip...will update

 

[katt]

Update... I had strep throat, recieved antibiotic and went out of town. I am back and feeling a lot better!
The SGB definately worked. So I hope the results continue! I feel peace the first time in my life, I am able to better connect with people. I have a scientific background, so before the procedure I did extensive research on the procedure with access to medical articles. The best book I read which supports this approach to PTSD is Stephen Porges, Polyvegal Theory - Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachement, Communication and Self-Regulation. It talks about an approach to PTSD, anxiety and other disorder by focusing on dampening the sympathetic tone.

So with all this said, I would recommend that it is worth the time, effort etc to try out the procedure, minimal side effects and life altering for those with PTSD. I will have to wait and see to see how long the results continue, but so far it is amazing. The background noise of fear in my brain has been quieted! I enjoy the little things in life, I am not as tired! I do think those who purue the SGB for PTSD need to be at a state where they are willing to leverage skills and techiques from therapy. I have been seeing a therapist who specializes in Somatic Experiencing - Peter Levine. This was the most helpful therapy that I have undergone. Many of the techniques I have learned in this therapy I find myself using in more stressful situations - deep breathing, body movements etc... I am trying my best to avoid the possibility of a retrigger which might cause me to need a second SGB.
If anyone has any questions on the SGB, I would love to help

 

[katt]

Kim A4 or IchBin, would love to be able to contact you to see if there is any thing else we can do to support Dr. Lipov.

Trying to understand this forum and if there is a way to make contact via email?

I understand from Dr. Lipov he did recently receive some funding from the state to do a small study.

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[Girl3]

Do you know what they gave you for sedation by any chance?

 

[katt]

No, I can find out. Do you think it had something to do with the strep throat? I opted for sedation instead of local, because I was worried would be too stressful with just a local.

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[Girl3]

There are a number of ways that what they gave you for sedation could influence your outcome. I just wondered if you knew. Everything has side-effects - some are good side-effects and some are bad.

 

[katt]

Ok, I called and for sedation I received 1mg of Versed and 200 mg Propofol.

I am sick again, was going to give it a few days then go to my Primary. Was travelling again and my husband has sore throat, so maybe just a virus this time. Girl3 let me know if you have any thoughts, I am stilling feeling the positive effects in terms of the PTSD, the quieting of the hyper vigilance....but this not feeling well is becoming very frustrating.

If any of the folks that had the procedure are available to comment, I am sure my body and brain are going through quite a bit of change.

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[Girl3]

The effect of the sympathetic nervous system is bimodal, increasing or depressing levels of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines depending on what stage of inflammatory process you are experiencing. So, it could be a side effect of the block, or you may have some viral illness. Sore throat is a known side effect as well.

Propofol is metabolized in 15 minutes so doesn' have any longterm effect, while Versed lasts an hour or two - and has no lasting effect on PTSD.

I'm glad you're feeling calm though - and I hope you've only picked up a little cold.

 

[katt]

Lonnie, I am looking forward someone that has experience with the SGB procedure. Did you have the procedure done?

 

[Powder]

Thank you all who had the SGB for posting for those of us considering it.

My questions:

1. Did any of you have ear ringing during stress or triggers? Mine is a symptom that is really bothersome and actually keeps me from being able to talk through or think through triggers well.

2. If you had the high pitched sound when triggered, did the SGB remove that symptom?

3. Did any of you feel like your experience of time was improved? I mean, when stressed, I seem to lose track of time. Did that symptom go away?

Thank you!

 

[katt]

I was sensitive to noises and sounds and that has subsided. In terms of the experience of time, definately has improved. The daily activity is my life is more deliberate and slower. I think with PTSD we have so much background noise that we are unable to live in the moment. I know with myself I feel now I missed have my life, never really experiencing it. I believe the treatment is extremely helpful! First the most of the triggers are completely gone and I can manage my way through the difficult triggers. I do think it is important to have a therapy in place to support the before and after the procedure. I have found Somatic Experiencing the best therapy to help me through the transition. It is truely amazing the results of the SGB, can really kickstart a new life!