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Radiofrequency nerve ablation

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Posted 9/18/2007 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
I have visited a pain management specialist since the beginning of July and things have gone pretty well. First, I had some nerve blocks done in the back of my head as well as being given duragesic patches (pain medication that is in the form of a patch and releases constantly)  This has done well, I had more than a 50% reduction in migraines/head pain. I have to say that the pain medication made me nauseated quite a bit at first, but once adjusted I have found much relief.

After the original nerve block wore off, we decided to do a procedure where they basically heat up a needle and burn a nerve in the back of the head. I have found additional relief from this as well as an increase in the pain medication dosage.

I was just curious if anyone has had a previous experience with duragesic patch or radio frequency nerve ablation?!?!

I do also have to say that this procedure and found relief could never have have been found at a better time, as I just got engaged July 21st and need all the "good time" I can have to plan a wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Posted 9/18/2007 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
The procedure you are referring to is called rhizolysis. I had it done several years ago and it helped. I was told at the time that it usually needs to be repeated about every 6 months. The surgeon did not accept my BXBS so it cost me about $1400 out of pocket. According to the surgeon there are only about 3 doctors in the U.S. that do rhizolysis and they all trained together. I had mine done at Chelsea Community Hospital by Dr. Silverman from the Michigan Neurologic and Head Pain Clinic in Ann Arbor, MI.
Posted 9/18/2007 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sara,

Glad to hear that you are moving forward with your migraine, sorry I do not have any experience of the nerva ablation that you talk about but did try the GONB (Greater Occiptial Nerve Block). This was only successful for me for 2 weeks.

Oh and CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement, I hope you get more pain free time that you need now to plan you wedding - when is the wedding going to be?

take care

Ann
Posted 9/29/2007 2:05 AM (GMT 0)

Hey "Biddo"---

I wish you could be a little more specific on the type and quality of headache you had, the level of pain relief that was achieved via the radiofrequency nerve ablation, when you had the procedure and how are you doing today?  How well has it held up in terms of long-term relief.

I have had dealings with the MHNI, and as you're probably well aware, there are allot of headache people out there who have shuffled through the Insititue and come away dissastisfied (mostly in terms of human or personal care)---and at worst, with veritable bad experiences. 

I have heard of Dr. Silverman, and am aware that he is the one at MHNI who deals with the high tech newfangled procedures, that is, interventional approaches to refractory headache.  Fortunately, he is NOT listed among the MDs at the Institute, concerning whom I have heard so many bad stories.  (That gives me a spark of hope for the MHNI, as I have had not had any dealings with it now for six years).

It was at MHNI where I was diagnosed as having a refractory migraine variant, but I tend not to agree with this diagnosis.  Leaning more toward the Horton's Cephalgia variant, this diagnosis was given me way back in 1980 at the very reputable Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago.  Sadly, at the time, I was unable to follow through with them for months on end, as I had no medical insurance then.

Thanks for your encouraging entry, it is so good to know people are breaking through to success with these darnable vascular headaches. 

Travis_Nobilis77

Ann Arbor, MI

Post Edited (Travis_Nobilis77) : 9/28/2007 8:08:32 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/10/2007 12:06 AM (GMT 0)

No, mine was actually called radiofrequency nerve ablation,  I had the nerve blocks done first to determine where to "burn" the nerve. they worked pretty good, I found that the first week or so I felt icky, but after that things were much better.

Ann,

I have missed you! I am getting married May 31st and am thankful that things are feeling better...that was a huge concern of mine trying to plan the wedding

Posted 10/11/2007 3:35 AM (GMT 0)

to tysmyboo  my name is ashley . i have been diagnosed with cervical headaches. i live in n.j. and i go to thomas jefferson headache center in phila,pa. for the last six months.my doctor there has hospitalized me twice. none of the medications worked. the trigger point injections of lidocaine did not work either. he sent me to pain management there.my first visit with dr zhou was him giving me 7 steroid injections right into c1-2 and c2-3 vertabraes and also into the facets or joints.well that did nothing. i see him again on the 18th of this month. he did say that if that didnt work he would do what you had done. radiofrequency. could you please tell me where you had your procedure done at? i have had neck pain and headaches for a year and a half now. i am 22 yrs old. cant work or finish school right now. i have pain 24 hrs a day. i have no life. please let me know where you had this done.        

                                                                               thanks   ashley  givenup

Posted 10/11/2007 11:49 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, this was done at my pain management physician's office. He is in a hospital complex and has an "operation suite" where they do procedures like this. They numbed the back of my head/neck and inserted a needle, really expected it to be downright horrible since I had nerve blocks done and it was tough-However, I found that the radiofrequency nerve ablation was less painful. I did have a few rough days immediately after (no more than a week) I wondered why I had this done as I was intermittently in more pain and had some nausea issues. A few days later, I was feeling better than I had in a while!!!

My physician's office is called Metro Pain Associates in Louisville KY...they may have someone they can refer you to closer to your location?!?!

Hopefully you have some relief soon!

I was in the same place as you (miserable!!!), and could not finish college etc. I am now 26, engaged!!!! and getting ready to go back to school-and have a lot less pain and severity so work is not such a challenge. Hang in there, it's gonna get better

 

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