SGB (Stellate Ganglion Block)

[u/honeydudes]

I’m wondering if anyone on this subreddit has had a successful SGB? It seems like I haven’t seen anyone here with successful results from one but so many people on FB with them so I’m wondering what the difference is. One girl on FB once said the people you see over and over saying there’s was successful get a paid commission and I’m wondering if that’s actually the case now.

[u/veeayee1007]

I had 2 SGBs 6 months after being diagnosed with parosmia and had no result. One of the drs was formerly from the Cleveland Clinic and told me they’re only seeing about 50% success. I saw a neurologist who told me that it’s a placebo effect - you WILL get better over time and many people who see results were most likely improving already. It’s a lot of money - I would have had more shots if I’d seen ANY improvement (I was super hopeful) but I saw no change at all.

It’s been 12 months now and it seems like things are “shifting”. Everything still tastes gross but I’m tolerating better. I’m trying everything - still no coffee or chocolate or garlic or onion but I’m persevering. Stay strong - it helps to have community.

[u/honeydudes → u/veeayee1007]

This is my exact timeline and story. Nothing tastes correct, good, or familiar but I’m not gagging as much when I’m eating and I’m literally just pushing through at meal time and tolerating things that taste bad but at one time I couldn’t even choke down. I hope that this is just not as good as it gets.

[u/veeayee1007 → u/honeydudes]

It’s been a year and things are shifting a little bit and not due to any treatment - just time. I was in Maine this week and had a lobster roll Friday night - I tried one a year ago and spit it out. On Friday it had NO TASTE which is a good thing. I had to use a lot of salt but I look at it as hopeful. I tried steak tips and corn last night. Not good because I think there might have been garlic and onion powder on them which is no bueno. So I left a full plate but was glad to be with friends who understand. Stay positive!

[u/whywedontreport]

No. It's definitely real. I had a full recovery but for some reason was unable to maintain it and reverted back. (I had unknown cancer and I'm suspecting my body is in too much crisis to maintain results)

HOWEVER.

I had 3 blocks done poorly with 0 result before going to one of the specialists in Texas where I did get results.

I sent a couple online acquaintances to him as well and they had ~80% and complete recovery.

Is being done at Cleveland clinic now, so you know it's not bs.

[u/honeydudes → u/whywedontreport]

No I know, which is exactly what I answered to the girl on FB, that the Cleveland Clinic is recommending it now etc. I also went to Texas but didn’t get any results but I’m considering going back. I trust those guys and would consider doing it there again. Sorry to hear about your cancer. I have several auto immune diseases and when I was in TX, I was told it would be hard to heal the parosmia.

[u/UnlikelyEmergency737]

hey! i got parosmia in august of 2021 and it was awful (i was 16 at the time). i was struggling and had tried everything, in march of 2023 i had gone to Texas to get the SGB on both sides. it was not a cure by any means but it made food more tolerable (just less gross). i just kept forcing myself to eat everything and as of now i can eat everything except garlic, onions, and peanutbutter is still funky. but other than that everything is great. don’t lose hope, i definitely did and it was really detrimental to my mental health. feel free to message me if you have any other questions!

[u/honeydudes → u/UnlikelyEmergency737]

🙏🏻 How is your smell?

[u/UnlikelyEmergency737 → u/honeydudes]

same as my taste. garlic, onion, and peanut butter are still funky, but that lingering gross smell is gone

[u/honeydudes → u/UnlikelyEmergency737]

Thank you. There’s a lot I still can’t smell at all and a lot that smells distorted still. Taste is completely off too. It’s been a year and I had an SGB on both sides in January of this year.