As many of you know I am struggling with an area in my left hip that seems to be getting worse despite multiple changes in medication, too many nerve blocks to count and multiple trips 200 miles one way to see my wonderful pain doc and his lovely PA. This last visit I saw my docs partner, she stated that I have had "far" too many blocks and steriod injections. She feels that I need to have a nerve ablation. From what little research I have done it does not look like something this darned old nurse wants to proceed with. However I am not sure how much longer I will be able to continue my work in surgery, on the acute care floor and in the ER.....
I guess I just want to hear what the thoughts round here are about this "lovely" procedure
z

so sorry to hear this
i wish you ease in hearing
your news

praying for miracles
Lord hear our prayer
Amen

Hi Pooh, the only thing I have heard from friends who personally received the procedure was as to all of them, and they are more than a handful- as to them it did not help.

For you, I pray good diagnostics, appropriate and full consideration so an informed decision can be made.....
because I deeply care,
yup

oh heck yes
sweet Lord
hear our prayers
so difficult
to get what you say
prayers and ask those
questions
the doctor who welcomes
them is my doctor
prayers

Hi Pooh, sorry about the issues you are having I have not had an RFA, but came close. My pain doc was planning on doing one in my lower back, even did the first two diagnostic injections with success, but he then decided not to do the RFA because I have widespread RSD and he was afraid of causing it in my back. One of my brothers had a bad car accident several years ago, really hurt his neck which caused horrible migraines, he had an RFA done in his neck and it was the best thing he ever did...stopped the pain and migraines.

All I can advise is to research it, ask questions and make sure your doctor is really good at them. With all that info, you should be able to make a decision you are comfortable with

Good luck to you!
Nanc

I had it done. Did nothing. However my pain is on my spinal column. Hope the best for you. Btw, it was no big deal to have done.

zI am slamming into research mode in my spare second I made it through a short surgery schedule today. Only 1 total knee replacements. Tomorrow is cataract day, it is also a slower then normal day (seems people are really not ready to have procedures done until they have met more or all of their deductables) Only those that truely cannot go on without procedures are having them done. Things ramp up quickly in the next couple of months, then the procedures that require longer recovery go back to nearly none then about August things jump into high gear until the holidays. In December there is the mad scramble to get things done before the end of the year. But I degress I then have 2 full shifts on the floor. I can only hope things are kept down to a gentle roarz

Pooh, I'm very impressed that you're still on your feet so much and with your dedication to your job I, and I'm sure everyone here, have the utmost respect for nurses. I've never had an ablation, but I hope that whatever you choose to proceed with next, you can get some relief. I am surprised at how many blocks you've been receiving though, since my doctor said that the more you have, the more your body gets used to them and the less effective they become. He said that's why they do them usually in series of about 6 at a time, and then it's good to wait a couple months before the next series, which is probably why they're not doing any good for you anymore

I am in the beginning stages, however. I go in Weds. to a new pain mgmt. dr. for a pain generator test. I'm under the impression that he does a nerve block with only anesthesia at certain nerve roots in order to find the nerve or nerves that are causing my cervical issues that cannot be addressed by my cervical SCS.

From there I'm not sure where it goes. I have read on some forums about those who have had nerve ablation and wished they had not (increased symptoms, pain in new areas etc.) but I also know that it's quite possible that those who have success don't post their success.

I think I'm going to try to stick with steroid shots for now if they can pinpoint the nerves causing my issues, if that is an option. My neurosurgeon did mention the ablation as a possible, more permanent option, which wouldn't require going back in for shots periodically.

How many steroid shots did you get? Did you get them every 3 mos.? When I get my steroid shots in my shoulders they will only do them every 3 mos.

I'm hoping that the steroid shot route will work for me, if this is the route I need to take, as I'm rather nervous about having someone cut a nerve, esp. given that they can regenerate and would require ablation a second time. I read about someone who has had their nerve ablated several times over the years and now faces the fact their dr. says that ablation is no longer an option. What does one do then?

I hope that you get the help you need! I will watch your journey as it seems you are a few steps ahead of me. Praying for your pain relief!

Yes, my nurses have been above all SUPER in care when I had to go in. I hope never to go in again. Ever. Just tired of all of the gig.

Even so, I pray for Pooh and Fiona in coming approach to procedures, whether ablation or injection that the target be surely hit. That the issue be remedied thus. That with care, the joy for life is restored because pain is managed.

Yup