News SGB PTSD Treatment Article

[anthony]

If Lipov succeeds with the US Navy trial that he got approved for, then we may see this rolled out across the world for the treatment of PTSD... though until some hard facts come down from the DOD itself, it will be quite isolated and within testing phases.

There is a good piece on understanding pain in relation to anxiety in the following link, starts at page 35, from an anaesthesiologists view: Link Removed

It was something I found long ago that helped me to understand why SGB would even be reviewed for PTSD... though whether it works or not, trials to date are quite hit and miss, with limited results published. Some have success, some see no improvement.

I think the entire modality of SGB for treating PTSD really hinges on this current trial with the US Navy... and if it shows little result and the Navy kick it to the curb, then it will be dead in the water and simply not a viable solution. If it succeeds, it could very well be the first line treatment for everyone with PTSD... and those it doesn't work upon, then move onwards to psychological and pharmacological options.

 

[souljah]

Thanks Anthony for the "light reading" no Fifty shades of grey then lol!! Will keep you informed with all information I find along the way. Have a few friends in different medical fields ( one being in pain mangment psychcology) . I feel like a dog with a bone after having this for so long having dealt and dealing with the emotional side but unfortunatley still with the physical symptoms. The on going aniexty, startle reflex, andrenal etc etc etc. Really pro active about finally cracking this nut for my benefit and for all others battling this injury, thanku for developing such a wonderful site, I have learnt so much here already. Although it took me a long time to find it truely is like being given air underwater. Thanks for your wonderful compassion and great information keep on keeping on big love soul

 

[anthony]

A recent report on SGB was not as promising as initial claims have made (July 2012):

[DLMURL]http://journals.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=1209447[/DLMURL]

Nine military patients with chronic PTSD were treated with stellate ganglion block. All of the patients had been treated for over a year in programs that used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, individual psychotherapy (cognitive processing therapy or prolonged exposure therapy), and other evidence-based treatments. They were in the process of being medically retired from the military, and they were all aware that stellate ganglion block was offered as an off-label indication and gave informed consent to the treatment. The patients were not required to stop any other treatment to receive the stellate ganglion block, and all chose to continue their medications... ...PTSD symptoms were assessed using the CAPS before the procedure and 1 week after stellate ganglion block. Outcomes were tracked after a single injection in seven patients, and a second treatment was performed 4 to 6 weeks later in two patients.

...After the stellate ganglion block, five of the nine patients (56%) experienced a clinically significant (>30%) reduction in PTSD symptoms, as measured on the CAPS 1 week after the procedure. Two patients experienced noticeable but not clinically significant (10%–30%) reduction in PTSD symptoms. The remaining two patients reported essentially no change in symptom reduction (<10%). Six of the nine patients reported perceived improvement in symptoms after the block. One individual who had been suicidal for the previous 2 years reported immediate relief. In patients who had regular follow-up, the benefit of the block on PTSD symptoms appeared to diminish within 1 to 2 months of the procedure, although symptoms did not always return to their previous level of severity. The results of two repeat treatments were also tracked. One patient who did not initially benefit had no improvement after a second block, whereas the individual with the greatest gains had symptoms remit after the second procedure.

After all is said and done, based on the 9 people in total, the effective results were marginal compared to other treatments available which overall are safer than SGB. Whilst trying to claim a 56% treatment success, they actually only claimed a one in nine success, as only one from the 9 fell below clinical diagnosis for PTSD via CAPS assessment. PE, TF-CBT, EMDR, etc etc, have a 60% - 80% success rate of no longer meeting PTSD diagnosis via CAPS.

Data is beginning to show that SGB is not as effective as initially claimed, it seems. Then one must weigh the reward for risk ratio of the procedure.

 

[Girl3]

One of the recent cases of fungal meningitis was due to a stellate ganglion block that had the contaminated steroid solution as part of the treatment mixture. This is just another reason why I don't recommend doing something invasive unless it's got a lot of good science behind it AND you're willing to have a bad outcome if something goes wrong.

 

[katt]

For me the SGB combined with Somatic Experiencing (SE) PTSD therapy and meditation has proven to be extremely beneficial. My therapist agrees the results have been dramatic. I think it is important to investigate, work with your doctors but ultimately make the trade-offs in terms of risk of treatments and manage your own care.
The risk /reward trade-off with the SGB therapy with Dr. Lipov was worth it!

 

[Artfulone]

I have used some of the information posted on this thread and other internet articles. IIntegrated it into my mindfulness meditation body scan and occasionally with EMDR, over the last couple of years or so. By focusing upon the stellate ganglion during meditation, this has helped me to greatly reduce somatic symptomology. For me this has shown good results and assisted me in getting back into to physical work.

I am interested if anyone else has used any similar responses or opinions/ ideas on this.

 

[member1100]

Hi!

For about six months ago I did a SGB. At first I did not noticed any relief. The day after though I really felt better. I could enjoy walking around town, etc. Unfortunately, it lasted only during three days. Because of this, I was offered to do a free one after about a month. The same results even then. I did Stellatum Ganglion Block locally by an experienced pain clinic and not by Dr.Lipov. Really sad that the effect did not last. Those days was really amazing fo me.

Thank's! Just wanted you to hear my story to the subject.

 

[cdg]

Has anyone had this done? Any results? If you haven't.. feel free to post what you think or have heard.

Thanks.

 

[nursenurse]

Are you thinking of having it, and for what?

 

[Hashi]

Have you tried searching on the forum? There have been a few posts about it, probably calling it just SGB if they date from before the focus on not using abbreviations.

If you mean SGB as a treatment for PTSD, then my thoughts are that it fits the category of wanting to fix PTSD, and people getting enthusiastic about the idea, but it proving not to be a magic solution after all.

I think healing/improving involves a journey rather than a procedure. I know that medications and other treatments can sometimes be appropriate in giving support along the way, but what I've read about SGB doesn't convince me this is one of those examples.

 

[Abstract]

https://www.myptsd.com/threads/sgb-ptsd-treatment-article.11417/page-16

 

[nursenurse]

I know it from use in other areas more concrete, if you will, for pain control etc., the usual medical stuff, I never realized it was seen as a potential treatment for PTSD. My semi logical pea brain says "Huh?" when I looked at the link and saw that people were reporting feeling better with it. However, it was given in conjunction with other therapies, and not as a stand alone. Interesting.....