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Nerve block injection

Snowny place
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Hello

My husband had a nerve block injection last Wednesday as he has nerve pain down both legs and ankle. He has a tumour in his left lung and mets in his spine and left pelvis. He has had radiotherapy which didn’t help and chemotherapy but the pain down his legs continues. I have been told different things about the time it takes for the injection to work and none of them seem to be right. My husband is in constant pain and it doesn’t seem to have worked. Can you give me any advice x

  • Hello, Snowy place,

    Thank you for getting in touch.  My name is Isobel and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan support line.

    I am sorry to read about the constant pain that your husband is experiencing, this must be very difficult for both of you. It is understandable that you would want to ask about this.

    Unfortunately as there are many different types of nerve blocks I cannot give you definitive advice and I would recommend that you get in touch with his team, if you have not already done so, and let them know he is still in pain. They will then be able to assess the pain he is continuing to experience and look at other ways they can help him.

    I have found this information from Radiologyinfo about nerve blocks that may help you understand more about this type of treatment, it’s benefits and limitations.

    If he has not already been referred to an oncology pain specialist, you can ask about for this to be done. Cancer pain can be complex to manage, and it can take time to find effective pain relief. A pain specialist will be able to help with this.

    Our booklet about Managing Cancer Pain may also give you more information about the different ways that cancer pain can be managed.

    I see that you have joined some of our online forums I hope you have found this a source of support.

    I hope this information is helpful you may also find it beneficial to call our support line a talk to one of our cancer information support nurses in more detail about this.

    Best wishes.

    Isobel Y

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref: IY/PH

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