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RF Ablation

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Posted 1/27/2013 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
A call out to anyone that has been through the RF Ablation... I'm supposed to start with the injection next Friday.. They asked me if I wanted to do this at my last visit... When I went in on Friday they pretty much told me I had to do it... So now I am going next week...
What should I expect? Does it actually help?
Posted 1/27/2013 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
i am happy to tell you i had excellent results in my neck from the rf ablation. and my case is not the easiest as i have had pain for decades and i had a 3 level fusion 7 years ago that didnt cure my pain. i had the procedure about 10 months ago and it enabled me to exercise more and as a result i am nearly pain free in my neck.
i must admit it wasnt the most comfortable procedure in the world as i was stuck so many times. the physician i had was in training and was supervised by an expert so the time it took from start to finish was close to 90 minutes. but for ten months of relief i would gladly do it again......pal pete
Posted 1/27/2013 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, where have you been the past year, we have not heard from you in a long time. Hope you have been doing ok and will update us on how you have been doing.

I had the RF on both my neck & back but not done together. Before doing this, the dr did medial branch blocks to make sure he had the right areas and to make sure I was a good candidate for RF. I was given some light sedation and suggest you ask for it too. They were tolerable with the sedation. It worked great on my neck but did nothing for my low back. I do hope yours will work for you.

Take care...Susie
Posted 1/28/2013 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Susie, sorry I've been AWOL... My life has been down the tubes for the past year... I had a great PM Dr. for over 8 years and then had to find a new one pretty fast...That sucks when you have to start all over with a new PM... they started me on the lowest pain meds possible.. and I'm still having trouble getting them to up them... Insurance reasons. Anyway, this new Dr. immediately wanted to do Caudal Injections, which I did, and now they want to do the RF... I go this Friday to have the medial branch blocks on the right side... I told them that I really didn't want to do this and the PA said I had to... I feel like they are holding me hostage for my meds...
But on the brighter side... I was finally approved for Disability in Dec. 2012... after 3 years, 2 denials, 1 attorney, and 1 Hearing... The Judge was great....he put my Disability all the way back to 2002 when I stopped working. Of course I only get back pay from 2010, but that's great...still waiting on my first check...
The RF is for my low back and I've heard a lot of horror stories so I'm not thrilled... This Dr. is so conservative with meds and I am so frustrated... But that goes with the territory I guess...
I hope they work, because I DO NOT want another surgery...2 is enough when they don't work...
I hope you are doing well Susie, I've missed the group and I am glad to be here again... I tend to isolate myself when pain and life are bad... I'll try not to do that anymore...
Love you all.... Rhonda
Posted 1/28/2013 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Rhonda when I had the blocks done I do not remember anything bad about those either. What I have a problem with is when they do hold you hostage such as what is happening with you that is just wrong.

Congrats on getting your SSD, that was a long time coming. Good to hear from you, but seriously you will do fine having the procedures... Take care.....Susie
Posted 1/29/2013 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
hi uniquelyme -- i'll add my two cents on the 'good results' about radio frequency ablations. my first one was done in the C-7 area of the neck.........and it has lowered the pain levels for months....now i'm being prepped (first injection tomorrow) for a second ablation that will be farther up the neck.....as those nerves seem to be 'active' beyond belief now.

i wish you good fortune in finding help for your lower spine pain....we are all so different in our responses, of course, but my hope is you will find the procedure 'easy' -- and long-term help with the pain as the doc literally stops those nerves from 'talking'.......
Posted 1/29/2013 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I just wanted to give my update on RFA. I had them for a while and the first several had wonderful results (after the initial increase in pain). I did not have good med coverage for the procedures and they were incredibly painful for me. I eventually lost the positive results and the time for relief ,if any, was greatly reduced. I also started to feel they may have been contributing to the scar tissue in my back.

I now have the SCS, which is a godsend for me. I imagine your dr will at least be able to inject steroids to diminish the extra pain afterward. I would ask for whatever sedation is available. Just remember that it is a relatively quick procedure.
Posted 1/30/2013 6:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rhonda I haven't had the procedure that you are asking about, but I would like to welcome you back. You take care.

love and hugs
Loretta
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