Questions about nerve blocks?
Ask your doctor or nurse whether a nerve block might be an option for you.
You can also speak to our specialist nurses on our free Support Line with any questions about nerve blocks.
What's in the 'Pain and pancreatic cancer' information section?
- Managing pancreatic cancer pain
- What is pain and what causes it?
- Types of pancreatic cancer pain
- Who can help manage my pain?
- Painkillers for pancreatic cancer pain
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol
- Opioid painkillers for pancreatic cancer
- Common concerns about opioid painkillers
- What if my pain relief isn’t working?
- Other types of pain relief for pancreatic cancer
- How does a nerve block treat pancreatic cancer pain?
- Dealing with pancreatic cancer pain
What is a nerve block?
A nerve block is a treatment that blocks nerves from sending messages to the brain. It interrupts the pain signal. You may be able to have a nerve block on the nerves in the coeliac plexus. This is a thick bundle of nerves behind the pancreas.
You may have a nerve block if:
- you have nerve pain that isn’t controlled or
- you have a lot of side effects from painkillers or
- you need increasing doses of painkillers.
A nerve block may mean you can reduce the amount of painkillers you take. Nerve blocks work well for some people, but they don’t work for everyone. You may have a nerve block as a one off, or you may be able to have a longer-term nerve block.
Speak to your doctor or nurse about whether a nerve block might be suitable for you.
What does a nerve block involve?
The doctor will use needles to inject medicine such as anaesthetic, alcohol or steroids into the coeliac plexus nerves and stop them working. This will block the nerves from sending pain messages from the pancreas to the brain. It will stop the pain for some time.
You will have a local anaesthetic so you won’t feel anything during the procedure, but you will be awake. You may also have a medicine to relax you.
Doctors can do the procedure in different ways. Your doctor may use an endoscopic ultrasound scan (EUS) to guide the needles into the right place. An endoscope is a long, thin tube with an ultrasound probe at the end. The doctor passes the endoscope into your mouth and down your throat. The ultrasound probe will create images of the inside of your body. The doctor will use these images to guide the needles through your upper tummy area. Sometimes, the doctor may guide the needles through your back.
If you find the nerve block helps but the pain gets worse again, talk to your doctor or nurse about having another nerve block.
Are there any side effects from having a nerve block?
You may have runny poo (diarrhoea) or low blood pressure for a few days after having a nerve block. Very occasionally, nerve blocks can cause temporary weakness in the legs. In rare cases, this weakness can be permanent.
Speak to our nurses
Updated April 2025
To be reviewed April 2028