Radio Frequency Ablation

[fpainestam]

I thought I would give an update on my experience with radio frequency ablation, as I gather that there is a significant amount of interest in the subject, but not a lot of experience.  And at the end, I have a request for people's thoughts...

Well, my conclusion is inconclusive.  I've had the procedure--actually, procedures, as we did it separately on the left (first) and right (second) sides of my spine.  The second one was on Jan. 30, so I'm a little over two weeks away from it.  I'm sorry to report that I feel little difference in my pain picture.  I also found that the procedure itself was very uncomfortable, not to mention expensive, so barring some future change, I doubt that I will repeat it.

I gather, though, that it has worked well for others.  My sister has a pain condition very similar to mine--we suspect a genetic factor--and she feels that ablation is the one thing that has really helped her.  She has had the procedure a several times.  

One thought--my sister doesn't have the big medication guns that I have--I've gone the opioid route, but she uses only OTC thingslike Tylenol and Ibuprofen.  I'm wondering if my medication may be obscuring the benefits of the procedure.  It's even possible that the effect will be to reduce medication increases that I might otherwise require.  Too soon to tell, I'm sure, but I would be grateful for any thoughts that others have...Thanks! and

Cheers!  fpainestam

[shinty]

I now send people who post on the "old posts" a message on their inbox. It lets them know about the hourglass, that the post is old, etc., etc. I do inform them that it's perfectly fine, and normal to be reading the old posts (I also read old posts from time to time!), just that it isn't practical to respond to them

[omhome]

keeps happening anyway shinty...........whatever you say!
Indicative of.......?

[shinty]

This post is originally from February of 2009! When an hourglass after the name of  the person posting is shown, then it's an old post. It's certainly okay to read older posts with hourglasses present or not, but it isn't practical to respond to them. I probably could have explained this a lot clearer, and shorter, but oh well!
                shinty

[horselip]

I've had two bilateral RFAs to facial nerves with very good results. I just had the second one done a week ago and aside from being a little tender where the needle was inserted my facial pain is down by a lot. My surgeon mentioned something about RFAs that I did not know. The pulses do something that alter the C fibers of the nerves thus affecting how the pain signal gets transmitted.

I had many diagnostic shots done first to identify what nerves would be pulsed. It was a tedious process but worth it for me. My doctors did have me wean off of opiates prior to the diagnostic testing. They wanted my pain to be in its full state of ickyness to increase the chances of getting the right nerves. That part sucked.

I don't know much about the success of RFAs for spine pain tho.

Good luck to fellow pain sufferers.
Horselip

[TwylaD]

I had this procedure a little over 2 weeks ago. No change. I've heard everything from 1 to 6 weeks, so I wait. I've done steroids injections etc. My right side L3, L4, L5 and S1 (I think) are sources of pain. Right side is worse. My pain has escalated over the last few does in the Hip joint area...excruciating and standing up after a period of sitting is agonizing.

I feel like the bad child at the Dr. Office. I need results. I did one PT...can't do much except gentle stretching but even then next day I felt like did way more than that...

Frustrated, hurting and desperate to get well and have my life back.
Here's hoping the next couple of weeks this works.

OH and my brother has severe problems and this worked for him...he's done it several times

[jasmine1971]

i have had the radio frequencey on my lower back rt & left sides it was like a miracle  they say it can last from 6 months to 2 yrs  i got about 1 yr out of it  but by 2 yrs i needed it again  , i was told it would be painfull & it was not at all  i was even given extra pain medicine for after wards & did not use it  i have multiple sclerosis & cronic pain  esp in my lower legs & in my lower back from multi car accidents  , ive been on opiates since 2002 mophine& hydro codone i was on oxycontine insur issue changed to morhine , ive never taken more than prescribed &  in 1st few yrs dr kept increasing  i was on 160 of oxy 2x aday hydro 4x  wen insurance issue came up dr changed me to 4 hyro no change & 100 mg of morhine 4x aday  thats as close to the oxy as possible i started with new pain dr & he started decreasing it i am now on 60 mg morhine 3x dayu 10/325 hydro 3x aday  id prefer 4x aday on these 2 because it covers you more for pain than 3x aday  & i \have always been able to function normally on all doses i have severe pain every day & nite  thr RF was a miracle  but my dr made me have 3 epidurals & then several faccetts b4 the RF procedures  none of those helped & in order to have the RF again i have to  have serveral faccetts 1st i refuse they are the most painful & do not hepl at all i have had  procedures with other drs & about 13 with my current honestly i think its all about insrance & money  ,  he said if you dont do the procedures he wld not take me as a patient in all 3 types of procedures i was fully awake  that was in 2007 into 2008 & te RFS were  MIRACLE  I WLD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEART BEAT BUT NO FACCETTS  the faccetts were not done with  radio frequencey ,  any how he now offers an iv for 65 cash no insurace filing  he didnt b4
i knew my pain was bad but wen i hasd my RF done it cld not believe the relief i got i wish it lasted longer  but the other things were painful but the rf was not i even cried b4 because i was so wked up over it even my reg dr said it wld be painful  it was not  not during & not after & im a big baby ???

i wld highly recomend it

[fpainestam]

Hi, RexChap...

Many thanks for your input on the radio frequency ablation, etc., and the question of effectiveness against long standing pain conditions. What you say makes sense.  I'll add that at one point in my efforts to deal with my pain problem, we tried elavil. Unfortunately, it didn't help.

I particularly liked your way of explaining one of the problems of long standing conditions with the metaphor of the plasma television.  You have a great way with words...have you thought about writing on this (or any other) subject?

Many thanks also for your point that the pain may also have several sources.  I believe that's the case with me, and of course it makes diagnosis really complicated.  I'll add that one of the sources may be emotional, including the emotional reaction to dealing with the pain on a long term basis.  So it can be self-reinforcing...

What complicated folks we are...Frank

[RexChap]

I am a PT- your point regarding decreased effectiveness on longer standing problems is an excellent point.  In my experience as a therapist- it seems like this long standing pain is like an image burned into a plasma television.  This pain is often there well after the original cause has been solved.  This pain usually responds better to the anti-depressant medications used for pain such as elavil, neurotonin, etc.  Furthermore- many patients have more than one pain source so each pain may have to be treated differently.  Good luck

[fpainestam]

Thanks, Tuck.  I am fascinated by the notion that the procedure works less well on longer standing problems.  Almost as if the relevant nerves got programmed to a degree that could not be burned off.  As usual, thanks much for your thoughtfulness...fpainestam

[Tuckamore]

Hi Fpainestam,

I am happy to hear from you. Thank you for updating us on the results of your procedure. I am very sorry to hear that it was not successful. I am not keeping an official record but I think your results are not uncommon. I have chose not to go that route for that very reason. I was hopeful it would work for you.

You poss a thought provoking question. Did you sister have good results because she doesn't take opiates??? In my thinking is your pain may be greater and your condition more advanced than hers. If your pain was equal would she not have taken opiates?

Here are my thoughts. I find your situation very interesting as my brother has a nasty spine condition. I have an SI Joint condition, similar but not the same. I went on opiates for pain control, he did not. He questioned my need and my ability to tolerate pain. In other words little brother thought I was less tolerant and weaker than he. Suddenly and severely his condition deteriorated. He desperately required opiates until the surgeon was able to perform multiple treatments that finally reduced his pain. We both now agree that his pain was not to the level that mine was/is (until his deterioration) and hence my need for opiates. He no longer takes them but would not hesitate if needed. He is much more understanding.and I no longer feel like the weaker sibling.

There is also some documentation regarding rebound pain from opiates but in your case I think the treatment just was not successful. It doesn't work for everyone. I beleive and again there is documentation that if your pain is long standing any treatments seem to be less effective. I'm sorry that that was true in your case.

Please continue to share your progress with us and keep us updated. I look forward to hearing from you again and I am sure our members do also. Please take care.
Peace, Tuck