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