Wondering if anyone has any experience with RF Ablasions? My son has had a headache for over two years and has had relief one time when a Facet block was done. The next step we are being told to do is a RF Ablasion. We are suppose to have it done this Thursday and the will do three places on his neck one side at a time (C2, C3 and C4). Another doctor we have talked to said not to do C2! Has anyone had an RF Ablasion done on C2?

Yes I have had years of experience with RF ablsions. To truly help with your sons headaches C-2 needs to be done. I was in a car accident almost 13 years ago, when I was 18, and now suffer from chronic occipital headaches along with facet problems from C-2 -C-7 on both left and right side and have to get these burned every 6-8 months. However, I know that sounds like a lot but I am an extreme case and most people don't have to get them done as often as I do. If just so happens that the Pain management field as a specialty is more recognized now than it was in 1996 and I didn't get started right away. I have so much information I could offer you and your son and would be more than willing to talk to you one on one because I know how debilitating those headsches can be and how they can truly STOP his life from moving forward. Please feel free to contact me anytime because I have been through it all when it comes to these procedures along with any medication and frustration and apprehension you may be having.

Christy Diggs

Hi Christy, glad you posted this as my new pain specialist prefers RF ablasions to facet injections, on the basis that they last longer, and long term steroid use is questionable.
I get the occipital neuralgia-which C joint causes this?
The facet injection is done with a live x-ray guide, how is the ablasion done?
Do you get sore afterwards?

Glad to be of some help. Typically C-2 causes the occipital headaches but, so they tell me, but it can go as low as C-3,C-4. The ablasions are done with x-ray too but they also use low grade electricity to stimulate the nerve to make sure they are getting to correct nerve. Now don't frett they do numb you for this and depending on your doctor, wheter he is an anesthesiologist or not, you may be given I.V sedation with versed. I have it both ways. You do get a little sore but not as sore, I find, as you get with facet blocks. I wish you the best of luck with this and should you have any more questions or concerns please feel free to call on me.

Christy

Thanks Christy.
Both my new pain dr and clinical physiologist have asked my why I stuck with the steroid injections and didn't opt for the longer lasting ablasion.
I left it to my dr to suggest what he thought was best, but was it because of the added frequency of the injections that he stayed with them?
I'll probably try an ablasion the next time.
Would love it right now-boy, is it sore! Might have to go and take some more meds. Have to cook dinner tonight1

I had my left side done end of December and it went ok. I had tons of pain for about 1.5 weeks and then it subsided. I got my right side done 10 days ago and still in an ungodly amount of pain. This is my second time doing this, and the first time it was just annoying pain and stiffness for a week. I am almost useless as a mom, wife and bread winner right now. I keep feeling like I am not doing enough around the house and keep making my neck hurt more by trying to pick up and stuff. Have any of you had the pain be super intense and last for more than 10 days? My nurse said I might be one of those people who it takes the full 3 weeks to feel better, but I am hoping not. Thanks guys