marybear53
marybear53 posted:
I have had relief from facet injections in my lower back. My pain management doctor told me that surgery is not, and will not be an option. Due to the amount of damage (after a car accident in 2003) surgery wouldn't give me much relief. With the facet injection radio frequency is used to destroy the nerve endings that come out of the sides if the vertebrae. This is the only thing that has provided relief so I can lead a normal life.
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7 Replies |Report This| Share this:marybear53I have had relief from facet injections in my lower back. My pain management doctor told me that surgery is not, and will not be an option. Due to the amount of damage (after a car accident in 2003) surgery wouldn't give me much relief. With the facet injection radio frequency is used to destroy the nerve endings that come out of the sides if the vertebrae. This is the only thing that has provided relief so I can lead a normal life.
bj1208 responded:
hi and welcome to the support group -
It's great that you are getting good results from these treatments -
the radio frequency treatments have worked on quite a few members (believe most are past members) - some have had great results where this has lasted 6mts to over a year
I had this done 2 times and did not benefit from it - at the time - it was not known how much nerve damage I had - my disc had ruptured and splintered - part of the disc bone was pressing on the S1 nerve root on the left side - and a small part was pressing on the S1 nerve root on the right side - so I had a lot of nerve damage
One thing the doctor should have discussed with you is that it is possible for the nerves to grow back where further treatments may need to be done -
pelase keep us posted as to how you are doing - take care - Joy
It's great that you are getting good results from these treatments -
the radio frequency treatments have worked on quite a few members (believe most are past members) - some have had great results where this has lasted 6mts to over a year
I had this done 2 times and did not benefit from it - at the time - it was not known how much nerve damage I had - my disc had ruptured and splintered - part of the disc bone was pressing on the S1 nerve root on the left side - and a small part was pressing on the S1 nerve root on the right side - so I had a lot of nerve damage
One thing the doctor should have discussed with you is that it is possible for the nerves to grow back where further treatments may need to be done -
pelase keep us posted as to how you are doing - take care - Joy
Report This| Share this:marybear53hi and welcome to the support group -<br /><br />It's great that you are getting good results from these treatments -<br /><br /><br />the radio frequency treatments have worked on quite a few members (believe most are past members) - some have had great results where this has lasted 6mts to over a year<br /><br />I had this done 2 times and did not benefit from it - at the time - it was not known how much nerve damage I had - my disc had ruptured and splintered - part of the disc bone was pressing on the S1 nerve root on the left side - and a small part was pressing on the S1 nerve root on the right side - so I had a lot of nerve damage<br /><br />One thing the doctor should have discussed with you is that it is possible for the nerves to grow back where further treatments may need to be done -<br /><br />pelase keep us posted as to how you are doing - take care - Joy
georgia888 responded:
I'm looking into Radiofrequency Ablation & have been told by my doctor that the first step is facet injections & if that proves to be effective then they would proceed with the Radiofrequency Ablation.
Are others familiar with the stages of this procedure as outlined above?
Thank you,
georgia
Are others familiar with the stages of this procedure as outlined above?
Thank you,
georgia
Report This| Share this:marybear53I'm looking into Radiofrequency Ablation & have been told by my doctor that the first step is facet injections & if that proves to be effective then they would proceed with the Radiofrequency Ablation.<br /> <br />Are others familiar with the stages of this procedure as outlined above?<br /> <br />Thank you,<br />georgia
bj1208 replied to georgia888's response:
hi georgia -
yes I had the same done bout 5 years ago -
they will inject the facet joints and depending on how it helps or not will depend on doing the radiofrequency nerve ablation -
when I had mine done I did go in for the injections (does one side and then the other side in separate appointments) and given the fact that I did get some relief we proceed with RFNA.
I did have the RFNA done 2 times and after each treatment I was to keep a log of my daily activities and was asked to go a little farther to see if I could trigger any type of pain to see how the treatment worked on that, i.e., what I was doing, what the scale of the pain was, how long the pain stayed, etc.,
the first round worked really well,, but the 2nd round did nothing.
there have been quite a few past members who have had this done and did not have any pains return for about 6-8 months
hope you do good with the treatments - keep us posted - Joy
yes I had the same done bout 5 years ago -
they will inject the facet joints and depending on how it helps or not will depend on doing the radiofrequency nerve ablation -
when I had mine done I did go in for the injections (does one side and then the other side in separate appointments) and given the fact that I did get some relief we proceed with RFNA.
I did have the RFNA done 2 times and after each treatment I was to keep a log of my daily activities and was asked to go a little farther to see if I could trigger any type of pain to see how the treatment worked on that, i.e., what I was doing, what the scale of the pain was, how long the pain stayed, etc.,
the first round worked really well,, but the 2nd round did nothing.
there have been quite a few past members who have had this done and did not have any pains return for about 6-8 months
hope you do good with the treatments - keep us posted - Joy
Report This| Share this:marybear53hi georgia -<br /> <br />yes I had the same done bout 5 years ago - <br /> <br />they will inject the facet joints and depending on how it helps or not will depend on doing the radiofrequency nerve ablation -<br /> <br />when I had mine done I did go in for the injections (does one side and then the other side in separate appointments) and given the fact that I did get some relief we proceed with RFNA.<br /> <br />I did have the RFNA done 2 times and after each treatment I was to keep a log of my daily activities and was asked to go a little farther to see if I could trigger any type of pain to see how the treatment worked on that, i.e., what I was doing, what the scale of the pain was, how long the pain stayed, etc.,<br /> <br />the first round worked really well,, but the 2nd round did nothing.<br /> <br />there have been quite a few past members who have had this done and did not have any pains return for about 6-8 months <br /> <br />hope you do good with the treatments - keep us posted - Joy
lifesajourney replied to bj1208's response:
I have had injections both sides and RFA on the left 2 months ago. So far the pain is returning. I always have great results from all the procedures and was living a somewhat normal life but so far nothing helps for very long. I am overweight and need to just lose the extra burden on my back but it's hard to do without being able to move much. I hate to go back to the doctor so soon and he has moved so would have to start over with the new one. Seems all I do is go to doctors,I don't have time to work. 
but don't let my whining discourage you. I only feel so bad now because for a while I did feel so good. Hopefully you will too!
but don't let my whining discourage you. I only feel so bad now because for a while I did feel so good. Hopefully you will too!Report This| Share this:marybear53I have had injections both sides and RFA on the left 2 months ago. So far the pain is returning. I always have great results from all the procedures and was living a somewhat normal life but so far nothing helps for very long. I am overweight and need to just lose the extra burden on my back but it's hard to do without being able to move much. I hate to go back to the doctor so soon and he has moved so would have to start over with the new one. Seems all I do is go to doctors,I don't have time to work. <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/frown.gif" align="top" border="0"> but don't let my whining discourage you. I only feel so bad now because for a while I did feel so good. Hopefully you will too!
georgia888 replied to lifesajourney's response:
Thank you, Joy & lifesajourney for replying. If I'm a candidate, I may try spinal decompression before experimenting with RFA. I have a call in to a local chiropractor who perfoms spinal decompression. They will be reviewing my recent MRI to see if I'm a candidate.
Yes, lifesajourney, I can well relate to frequent doctors' visits. Many of us are at the point where taking care of our bodies is a 24/7 job. I know from experience that battling weight is not easy but I can tell you that you will feel so much better if you lose the extra baggage.
I'll keep you all posted.
Take care,
georgia
Yes, lifesajourney, I can well relate to frequent doctors' visits. Many of us are at the point where taking care of our bodies is a 24/7 job. I know from experience that battling weight is not easy but I can tell you that you will feel so much better if you lose the extra baggage.
I'll keep you all posted.
Take care,
georgia
Report This| Share this:marybear53Thank you, Joy & lifesajourney for replying. If I'm a candidate, I may try spinal decompression before experimenting with RFA. I have a call in to a local chiropractor who perfoms spinal decompression. They will be reviewing my recent MRI to see if I'm a candidate. <br /> <br />Yes, lifesajourney, I can well relate to frequent doctors' visits. Many of us are at the point where taking care of our bodies is a 24/7 job. I know from experience that battling weight is not easy but I can tell you that you will feel so much better if you lose the extra baggage. <br /> <br />I'll keep you all posted.<br /> <br />Take care,<br />georgia
conniescherubs1 replied to georgia888's response:
Hi, what is spinal decompression and how is this done?
I have fibro very severe and severe degenerative disc disease. I have sciatica very bad at times and was in severe pain and then suffered foot-drop for awhile and now walk with a little limp. I wonder if decompression help me with my pain?
I have fibro very severe and severe degenerative disc disease. I have sciatica very bad at times and was in severe pain and then suffered foot-drop for awhile and now walk with a little limp. I wonder if decompression help me with my pain?
Report This| Share this:marybear53Hi, what is spinal decompression and how is this done?<br />I have fibro very severe and severe degenerative disc disease. I have sciatica very bad at times and was in severe pain and then suffered foot-drop for awhile and now walk with a little limp. I wonder if decompression help me with my pain?
georgia888 replied to conniescherubs1's response:
Hi conniescherubs1,
For a complete medical explanation of spinal decompression, I would suggest you research this online. The treatment is performed by either a chiropractor or physical therapist. At this point in time, I don't believe it is covered by any health insurance plans which makes it an expensive option. It loosens the discs in the spine & takes pressure off nerves which may eliminate pain.
I, too, have severe Fibro & I'm learning that treatments that may help with other conditions may have little or no effect on Fibro pain. It's a real beast. Have you tried warm water therapy? I find it to be very helpful.
I hope this was helpful. Please do your online research.
georgia
For a complete medical explanation of spinal decompression, I would suggest you research this online. The treatment is performed by either a chiropractor or physical therapist. At this point in time, I don't believe it is covered by any health insurance plans which makes it an expensive option. It loosens the discs in the spine & takes pressure off nerves which may eliminate pain.
I, too, have severe Fibro & I'm learning that treatments that may help with other conditions may have little or no effect on Fibro pain. It's a real beast. Have you tried warm water therapy? I find it to be very helpful.
I hope this was helpful. Please do your online research.
georgia
Report This| Share this:marybear53Hi conniescherubs1,<br />For a complete medical explanation of spinal decompression, I would suggest you research this online. The treatment is performed by either a chiropractor or physical therapist. At this point in time, I don't believe it is covered by any health insurance plans which makes it an expensive option. It loosens the discs in the spine & takes pressure off nerves which may eliminate pain.<br /> <br />I, too, have severe Fibro & I'm learning that treatments that may help with other conditions may have little or no effect on Fibro pain. It's a real beast. Have you tried warm water therapy? I find it to be very helpful.<br /> <br />I hope this was helpful. Please do your online research. <br /> <br />georgia
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