RF Ablation

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ricekrispy

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Hi all! I'm new here and thought I would chime in.

I've had the RF done twice, all throughout my lurabar & thoracic. If I remeraber correctly I got about 3 weeks of relief out of the first procedure and no results from the second (sorry).

As someone else mentioned, they DO sedate you and you are given that drug (I also don't remeraber the name) that keeps you from remerabering (I still remeraber).

For me, personally, the only good I got out of the procedures was being introduced to fentanyl. That's what I had in the IV. It was the one drug to "block" the memory, valium and fentanyl. Since I had no luck with the RF procedures, I've been on the fentanyl pain patches since.

I do not remeraber a lot of pain after the procedures. I remeraber lots of band-aiRAB and feeling bruised. I think that for some of us, the amount of pain we feel on a daily basis just doesn't make this a painful experience.

Don't be discouraged by my lack of success with the procedures, I have WAY too many back problems and it was a long shot for me anyway.

GOOD LUCK tomorrow! Don't worry, it will be a piece of cake.
 
I had Radiofrequency Ablation on my L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1 facet joints on both sides last Wednesday (8/27). I just wanted to see if anyone has had the same reaction as myself. The doctor said I would feel like a mule kicked me in the back (he was right) and it could last 4-6 weeks. He gave me Phenergan for nausea and Hydrocodone for pain. So far the Hydrocodone has helped but I do still have some pain.

Has anyone had this done and had to go back to have it done again because it didn't work?
 
I really hear you on the pain factor, especially by the end of the day. I get where I have to tke Vicodin. I went grocery shopping in Sunday. I didnt take Celebrex because it was the day before the rhizotomy and wasnt sure if it was ok. I didint think Celebrex helped that much until i didnt take it. I was so far gone that when I got in the car afterwarRAB i lost it crying. My job is elem. substitute teacher. I havent been able to work since last Oct. because I cannot stand up for any length of time. My goal is to get to half days. I would just be so happy to do a half ay again. I am 52, and its too young to retire. I need the income! I just wanted to share that I understand how you all feel emotionally. Always having to think of stuff before you do it....doing stuff and then paying a huge price. I went to Black Hawk on sat. to do slot machines and eat a big ole buffet. It did take my mind off the pain, but man, when I got home I had to spend 2 hours staight getting myself to a manageable state (Vicodin, heating pad..and then Sorabra rub). By the way, do you guys know about Sorabra??? Its this stuff that isnt sticky that you can rub where it hurts. I couldnt live without it. It takes the edge off. Where I had my neck fusion, I still get REALLY tight muscles in the neck, trapezius, and upper back. So ihave the ole doulbe whammy of back and neck. The neck did get better, but it is still a problem when I am upright for too long. I refuse to give in to all of this at age 52. NO WAY!
 
Well ladies, wish me luck because MINE is Monday morning!
I got fed up with waiting for my physiatrist's office to send the rhizotomy guy his notes. (he is referring me to the rhiztomy Dr.). So I called and set it up myself. Then it became a nightmare today because they would not sent the notes until the last second. Made me want to take valium! The finally did send them, though. I will probably be getting L4-S1. I am taking m MRI and Xrays to this rhizotomy guy and he will discuss with me exactly what he wants to do. I have to be awake. oy vey!
 
Well that was really helpful and thanks. Its good to know I can get that procedure numerous times if need be. I had it in my neck a couple of years ago, but because I had so much else besides arthritis in the neck, it only helped a little. But even that little bit was worth it. I ended up getting a fusion anyway, in the neck.
 
Hi you all.....

I hope you all are feeling well today and somewhat pain free. I am having a terrible day today :( I give you a ^5 for trying to work with a back issue. I donot think I could work outside my home now. I am blessed that I don't have to. Very thankful for that......
 
Its weird how Drs. are all so different. My dr. wants to see me 10 days after the procedure. And he said it takes 3 weeks to see if it will make a difference. Go figure. I had 4 levels done on my right side.
 
Well, I just go home from the RF procedure. I had a little bit of sedation and totally remeraber everything. The dr. asked me questions the whole time and it was painful, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I think because I am already in so much pain it wasnt such a big deal. He did 4 levels on my right side. I may have to do the left later. We will see. He didnt want to do both sides 4 levels because he thought I would need more sedation and I wouldnt be able to answer the questions as he did it. The side he did is by far the side that really kills me. I hope it helps. Right now I am in pain, but I can deal with it. I am going to go have COFFEE and then go ice myself. I am glad it wasnt so bad. Thanks fo all the feedback!
 
SKZ.....

You are right....all doctors are different. I think I must have had 2 levels done. On both sides. I had bandaides on both sides. Hope you are feeling ok...not too much pain!

Darby.....

I am so sick of hurting. It is very depressing to me. I fight it though. I try so hard to get up and get somethign accomplished even if it is a load of laundry. I was going to try and go work out today but that is totally out of question today. I just donot feel like it. I have high hopes of this working. I sure hope I am not let down. I go back to see my doc sept. 30. Just be careful driving......stop and get out and walk if you have to. At least the grandchildren are old enough to do some things for themselves. I have an adopted 3 year old. Whew.......it gets tough trying to explain to a 3 year old that I hurt LOL Keep in touch and I hope you feel better soon!
 
Hi all, I got up this morning and was able to walk a little better for a while. I didn't have to take a pain pill til 9:30 a.m. I think maybe I might be on the road to recovery. I certainly hope so. I have no choice on the working matter. My husband has advanced COPD and cannot even walk to the bathroom without his oxygen and then he is still out of breath. So needless to say he is very little help for me. He is 61 and I'm 60. Both too young to be in this condition.

Lynn I'll pray for you to get some relief soon.
 
Hi lynn, I had my procedure in Kansas City, Mo and afterward my daughter drove me to her house in Camdenton, Mo. The doc gave me an additional shot in the butt for pain so I could travel for 3 hours. He doesn't usually recommend travel after the procedure but agreed to it. I ice every day and it does help. I also had 2 ESI's back in June but they only helped with the sciatica about a week each time. I wish you the best and hopefully it will work for both of us.

Kera, good to hear positive results. How many times have you had this procedure? Do you know how many you can have before your doctor says no more? Do you know what comes next when you can no longer have it. I have lots of questions so if you can't answer them maybe I really don't need to know.
 
SKZ, you asked about icing-I would usually ice 20 minutes every couple of hours. Regarding driving-I agree about taking breaks. After my RF at the end of June, I went a week later for a 2 hour drive (I wasn't even driving), by half way through the ride I was really hurting. We stopped and I walked around, which really helped. It was a big family 4th of July party-I just didn't want to miss out. Sure wish I had brought some painkillers, though:) Kera4
 
Hi all.....

Kera, I hope this works for me too. I will continue to get this done if it helps. Would be better than having surgery. Surgery is no guarantee neither.I have had 3 epidural injections and they worked but only for a short time. Today is the 8th day after the procedure and I am still hurting some, mostly when I am up trying to do things. I was told by my neuro-doctor that I have several tears in the disc lining in L4-5, L5-S? I am durab to the lurabar area LOL I have bulging disc and degenerative disease. I did get in a car accident in april of this year and that is what sent me to the doctor.I've tried PT, without much success. seems I have lost a lot of muscle strength in my legs. So, now I go to the gym and work out at my own pace and i am hoping this helps. I find that working out on my own versus a therapist is better LOL My docs tell me I am doing everything possible to help myself.

SKZ, my doctor knew what levels I needed done. He had given me epidural injections by fluro-xray? Excuse me for not knowing the correct medical termanology to some of this. This is new stuff to me LOL What kind of doc is doing this to you? I am quite sure your doc will be going by a MRI report to know which levels? Have you had Epidural injections before? As soon as you get this done.....go home and relax and donot try to do a thing. I doubt you will feel like it anyways. They will knock you out while they do this procedure. I had like 6 bandaides over the areas the doc put the needle. 3 on each side. Just try not to worry about it before you get it done... :)

Darby, I hope you are feeling better today! I am somewhat better. I do push myself too hard though. I have been up today doing a few things but had to stop and rest my back inbetween. Today is really the first day I've gotten anything done. What is exactly wrong with your back? Not sure if I read what was wrong? Is it a disc issue? I am so durab to all this back problems. Well...I hope you are feeling better today and keep in touch as I will keep in touch with you.....

take care everyone!
 
A physiatrist is a "physical medicine Dr. aka rehab Dr." He did all my epidurals, facet injections, medial branch block, trigger point injection (for my neck), etc. A different kind of Dr. will do my rhizotomy/ablation...whatever you want to call it. Most of the time anesthesiologists do those kinRAB of more advanced procedures. When I had all this stuff done in my neck, it was always an anesthesiologist (all those injections, discogram, rhizotomy, etc.).
I also have the same stuff you guys have wrong with your back. To read my MRI report one would think my stenosis is terrible. But like I mentioned, my spinal surgeon thinks the radiologist is wrong. He also made me wait 2 hours and 45 mins. without an apology, and gave me 5 mins of his precious time. So now if I ever need surgery again, forget HIM. His ego is just too big for my stomach. I should have charged him for MY time waiting. (AND he lied in his report).
Yea, all those things mean the same thing, except i read that sometimes laser is used on ablation.
 
I'm so glad your RF went well! Just rest and ice a lot and take your meRAB. I always found the first few days afterwarRAB to be the most painful, but like you said-when you are used to the daily pain, it does not seem so bad. I will be sending healing thoughts your way-take care, Kera4
 
Hiya darby.....

I had the same exact thing done as you, on the same day. Strange huh? I had mine done in Colorabia, MO. After the procedure was done on wed., I felt really bad and was in bad pain.The pain was not much better the next day. I am feeling somewhat better. I am taking pain med. as well. My doctor told me it could take a month to start feeling any results. I am hoping it is before a month. A person sure gets tired of back pain and being limited to do anything.I am curious to see if anyone will answer your question about have a repeat of this procedure. This is new to me as I have never even heard of this procedure before.I am so desperate to start feeling better that I tried this. I did have 3 epidural injections prior to this procedure and they helped but wore off rather quickly.

Wish you good results!
 
Hi all. I had to chime in too. I first want to say good luck to all having this done, I really hope it goes well for you. I am having this done on Friday, 3 levels on both sides. I have never has this done before ( had injections ).
My doctor has said I will be awake ( not versed ) is this normal? and recovery should only be 2 to 3 day's. I am starting to think I should make more plans with my kiRAB ect... ( single Mom ). Also, has anyone had this done after fusion? I has TLIF done about almost 2 years ago. I think I am just starting to get nervous because it is getting closer to the day. Thanks! I hope everyone is feeling good today.
 
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