I was knocked out for my RFA, I remember the X-Ray type arm contraption being placed near me and next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room...

Jyes

That's what I'm hoping for. I don't want to see, hear, or feel what the
doctors are doing during the procedure.

Gina,

I've also been "under" during mine; Versed was used and it wipes out "memory" of just about everything. I think it took several months before the nerves regenerated, and, eventually, pain returned. The "upside" to RF is that it can be repeated.

I know that the nerves will regenerate and the procedure will have to
be repeated, but I'm really hoping that it takes a long time before that
happens.

Here's the part that worries me: the doctor is going to do the right
side, first (it's the left side giving me trouble) and I'm supposed to keep a
"pain diary" for a week. If I have any decrease in pain, then he'll do
the left side. If the pain doesn't change, then he's going to try something
else-I have no idea what.

Does this make any sense to you?

Gina- I think that I may have mislead you. When I said that I had nothing for pain or to relax me, it wasn't quite right. I had many shots of navacaine. My PCP could not believe that he gave nothing to relax me-Linda

Okay, gotcha! That's sort of what I'm afraid of-that the anesthetic
won't work and I'll feel everything during the procedure. And, the paper
I was originally given only mentions a local anesthetic. I really don't
want to see what they're doing, y'know?

I had full mobility after the RFA., it really worked well for me. I didnt use a walker or cane before this though, I just had really annoying back-pain from DDD.

I was sedated (asleep) but able to talk during the procedure cos they asked me questions apparently and I also complained about a sore leg during the RFA .,I dont remember any of it though 'cos of the drugs they gave me.

I dont know why they would only do one side, my Doc decided to do 3 levels after initially only going to do 1 level. I hope you get the same drugs I got, ask them to give you more information, I really think you dont want to be awake.

I'm not sure why they'd do one side at a time, either, but the way I
understand it is that they're going to do the right side first and then
I have to keep a "pain diary" for a week. If there's any improvement
in the pain, then they'll do the left side. What's really confusing me
is why they would start with the right side, when it's the left side I'm
having trouble with the most.

If they start with your right side and your problem is left....it would surprise me to see you gain adequate relief. However, I trust they have a plan for a reason.

RF "requires a positive block"....it's a nerve block carried out prior to going ahead with RF. What sort of relief did you get with your diagnostic block? This will/should indicate the type of relief expected from your RF. I've had top and bottom RF's. My C spine worked like a dream. My lumbar RF relieved me of local (mechanical) low back pain....but did nothing for sciatic pain. I've had long standing lumbar disc protrusions plus facet joint involvement, a common type of problem amongst many of us here. My OSS has booked me for another shot at L spine RF but also discussed the likely need for nerve sheath injection (ESI).....if RF doesn't address my pain adequately. I'm expecting him to do right and left side of L4-5, S1 as he did before. I understand that a number of levels can be done at the one sitting depending on need.

I do believe you should call and confirm the type of sedation you will get. My OSS will never do RF under any condition other than neurolept anaesthetic (you know it as versed). He said it is essential to have me as still as possible and is the reason for neurolept anaesthetic in a day surgery setting. Neurolept (versed) provides an amnesiac state where you can participate but won't remember what has been done. In some circumstances the patient might be too lightly sedated but the anaesthetist should respond with a top-up.....reason why a patient reports awareness of parts of their procedure. It's also done under fluoroscopy guidance for safety and accuracy.

I've never had problems with mobility on wakening in recovery....even after lumbar spine treatment. My walking is "a bit" wobbly at the best of times but I've not yet required a stick or other aids. I do experience quite a bit of muscle twitching after my RF's are performed.....usually settles after a month or so. I put this down to nerve that feeds muscle having been stimulated during the procedure.....it doesn't bother me. I think that post procedure pain would vary person to person depending on individual tolerance. It's not until the day after that I feel sore and bruised....nothing that my usual pain meds won't cover....might dip into prescribed stronger med if needed. I'm instructed to take it easy during the first week of recovery at home. As I said in previous post.....at approx week three I was able to determine the degree of relief I'd gained.

It sounds to me as if your doctor has set a similar plan to mine. Attempt RF, and if all fails give ESI a shot. ESI (epidural steriod injection) is the better choice for disc matter.....sciatic leg pain. Where do you feel your pain the most? I find that "constant" sciatic pain is my worst but having RF for facets (the local back pain stuff) then ESI to knock-off sciatica. Well, maybe there's hope for total relief.

I don't understand a doctor not offering neurolept anaesthetic these days. It's prettywell the norm for this type of procedure.

I've had the lidoderm patches for my lower back, and they also tried to
put me on hydrocodone. Unfortunately, the pill blocked up my bowels
so bad that the lower end of my shunt (for hydrocephalus) was blocked.
I ended up in the hospital with a shunt malfunction. As soon as the
blockage was cleared, my symptoms went away. I ended up taking
the patches again, and that's when the subject came up about RFA.

I haven't been given a nerve block of any kind. The doctor never
mentioned that I needed one before the RFA.

He did say that if the RF didn't work, we'd have to try something
else, but he didn't say what it might be. I thought maybe he was
waiting to see if the RF worked, first, before making any other
suggestions.

As far as the anesthetic or lack of it, the information sheet I was
given is dated 2005. Maybe that explains the difference?