Veteran Shane Wheeler will soon become the second vet to try an experimental treatment called stellate ganglion block.
Theoretically, the procedure -- normally used to treat disorders such as hot flashes, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), Sympathetic Maintained Pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and Herpes Zoster (shingles) -- would calm down the part of the brain that is over-excited because of PTSD.
Of course, this is an unproven, untested treatment, and not everyone believes it would work. Dr. Kurtis Noblett told WLS-TV in Chicago, "I'm also going to be skeptical about treatments that claim to be a quick fix. PTSD is very complex with a whole host of symptoms and problems and associated difficulties that in my mind needs a broader approach to treatment."
I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD from childhood abuse, as well as acute PTSD from experiences in adulthood. I developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome due to complications from surgery to fix a broken arm that healed improperly. I have been receiving stellate ganglion nerve blocks to treat the pain (I am experiencing a gradual reduction in pain), and I have simultaneously experienced near total remission of my PTSD symptoms. Although the CRPS is the worst experience of my life, it is gratifying to experience a silver lining in that dark cloud.
ReplyDelete