Guest guest Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I just did the test portion for L5/S1 three days ago. A little too much cortisone went in and covered more of the nerve root than intended. The first day (don't panic) I needed a walker, because it felt like Bambi--first day with the new leg. Kept the site iced. Second day, mostly used the walker. By the evening and into the next morning, I used the cane. Day three: used the cane in the morning. And I've been in much less pain. Ellen-Staying Strong > G wrote: >I have RA, Fibro, C1-C2 fusion and a variety of associated illness'. My pain doctor wants to perform a radio frequency at levels C2-C3, C3-C4 and maybe C4-C5. Has anyone had relief or success with RF? I had one in 2008 by a different doc, and it was unsuccessful. I ended up with more pain for about 6 month and didn't get any relief. I think my current is more skilled at the procedure. Please let me know your experiences with radio frequency ablation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Hi , I had RF done about 2 months ago and it hurt like heck when they did it and afterwards, I was in so much pain, I could barely move! I couldn't turn over in bed, I just laid flat on my back and tried not to move! I was like that for 2 weeks and then I was back to the way I was before the RF, in pain! I didn't get any relief from the RF, just pain! I will never do it again! Hope this gives you another point of view. ~ in CA wrote: Has anyone had relief or success with RF? Please let me know your experiences with radio frequency ablation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Hi , I had my c-spine area done about two weeks ago and it still feels like a sunburn that is gradually decreasing in soreness. As far as the back pain goes, it has decreased by about 70-90 percent. I will being doing the other side in two days. I have wondered if there is long term nerve damage though, I'll have to ask my doc. Also the treatment didn't affect my thoracic area which is not approved by the FDA to be done in that area. --- " yp_nancy_denver " wrote: > >My pain doctor wants to perform a radio frequency at levels C2-C3, C3-C4 and maybe C4-C5. Has anyone had relief or success with RF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 I've been on Opiods for 2 years--since my injury. My alternatives presented by neurosurgeon #1 was a fusion. I have no remaining disc at L5/S1. The next four up, zigzag. I was injured in a fall to my left side. I have tried physical therapy for over a year with 4 different therapists. I do stretching often throughout my day. I did aquatic therapy. My goal is to try to go back to work. But, there are few jobs I can think of while being on meds. But, I am definitely open to suggestions. Ellen >Steve M wrote: >Do you have any other options? Killing off nerves seems like something that should be kept as a last resort. The fact that you tried it before with such negative results makes me think it is probably not the best option. I know a lot of doctors force their patients into stuff like this because they make a lot of money off procedures and are usually afraid of using opioids because they are uneducated about them. >What else have you tried? Have you tried an intrathecal pump? What oral meds have you tried? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 Botox works! >Steve M wrote: >Do you have any other options? Killing off nerves seems like something that should be kept as a last resort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 Hi my names and I have had the RF 3 times done by three different docs. The first 2 were so painful I cried the entire time, however my newest doc after she pin pointed the nerves added an anesthetic cocktail so I didn't feel a thing It was great! The procedure worked for me all 3 times and its the only thing at this point that is keeping my nerve pain under control. so I hope you have good results and a good doc who will not worry about money but will take care of you! Lots of good wishes and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 You mean the first two RFs were done while you were awake??? I'm totally knocked out for just the test and certainly will be if the test is successful and if I decide to go thru with the ablation. Ellen-Staying Strong > wrote: The first 2 were so painful I cried the entire time, however my newest doc after she pin pointed the nerves added an anesthetic cocktail so I didn't feel a thing It was great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 Hi Ellen, I don't know what the " test " is. I just went in to the surgery center and had it done under sedation. The doctor used the fluoroscope and knows the nerves that are causing me pain. I could feel the burning going down the nerve and that hurt! It did not help my pain at all so I won't be having it again. ~ in CA Ellen wrote: Did they do the test part first about two weeks prior to your ablation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 wrote: > I don't know what the " test " is. Hi , Before the radio frequency treatment, did you have more than one successful facet joint injection? The normal criteria for proceeding with radio frequency treatments, is to have several successful facet injections, with the pain level in the treated area dropping to near normal for more than a month. If that isn't the case, the doctor should not have gone ahead with radio frequency treatments. Lyndi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 The test, during a radio frequency treatment, is when they poke the nerve with a hot needle, without actually burning it. Then, it is followed by a shot of cortisone to ease the pain. They don't just burn without ensuring that the nerve thought to be causing the pain, is indeed going to make the pain drastically reduce. Ellen-Staying Strong wrote: Hi Ellen, I don't know what the " test " is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 Hi Lyndi, Yes, I had the other injections first. I didn't get any relief from any of the procedures . I am not going through those again. I just changed my meds and it is better so, I am good for now . in CA Lyndi wrote: Before the radio frequency treatment, did you have more than one successful facet joint injection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 wrote: > Hi Lyndi, > Yes, I had the other injections first. I didn't get any relief from any of the procedures . I am not going through those again. Hi If you didn't get any relief from the facet joint injections, then you weren't a candidate for radio frequency treatments. The doctor that went ahead and did them anyway(and charged for them), should be ashamed of himself/herself. Lyndi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 M. wrote to : > Do you have any other options? Killing off nerves seems like something that > should be kept as a last resort. Hi Steve I'm not , but I'm weighing in on this one. Radio Frequency treatment is actually the second last resort for me. I get it done to avoid having to go for a cervical surgery with 40 - 60 odds of any success. The radio frequency lesioning helps keep my head pain from owning me 24/7. >The fact that you tried it before with such > negative results makes me think it is probably not the best option. If the first procedure failed, an honourable doctor would not perform the procedure a second time. There are serious things that can go wrong during radio frequency lesioning. It should never be used if its efficacy is in question. If medication works, it's a safer route to go. My pain physician and I exhausted every other route before we went with the radio frequency lesioning/ablation. He wouldn't even considered the radio frequency until I had three successful outcomes with facet joint injections in the same area. My first radio frequency treatment gave me two years of relief from that particular pain. My doctor said that if the pain relief did not start happening within a few days and did not last at least four months, than I would not be a candidate for a second radio frequency treatment. Lyndi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 wrote: > I had RF done about 2 months ago and it hurt like heck when they did it and afterwards, I was in so much pain, I could barely move! I couldn't turn over in bed, I just laid flat on my back and tried not to move! I was like that for 2 weeks and then I was back to the way I was before the RF, in pain! I didn't get any relief from the RF, just pain! I will never do it again! Hi If that happened to me with a radio frequency treatment, I'd never get one again either! I have a vague tenderness at the entry sites for about 48 hours - no pain, just a little sore. The relief of the physical symptoms - in my case, one type of head pain and a specific neck pain - is immediate. If it weren't, I would never subject myself to such an invasive procedure. Lyndi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Hi Lyndi, Steve, and - last responders to the radio frequency discussion. It's Monday morning and I'm still on the fence with this one. The pain medication helps me and I think the pain clinic may stop it if I don't do the radio frequency. I also don't like taking the pain meds everyday. My story sounds like yours , at the same I am happy for you Lyndi. Thank you so much for your feedback. Grewe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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