Interesting that you didnt have/get any diagnostic nerve-blocks...

As far as I know they are given before they do an RFA to see if an RFA would be of any use...if you have a sucessful nerve-block they can usually go ahead with an RFA.

I say ask lots of questions and be sure this is what you want to pay for, you dont want to pay for something that isnt suited to your situation.

How far in advance of the procedure are the nerve blocks given? I'm
supposed to have the procedure on the 4th of this month.

I'll be asking the doctor a lot of questions, trust me!

My PM scheduled the RF procedure just shy of a month after my facet joint block. Seems to me, that if the block works, for temporarily blocking the pain, then it is considered successful and the PM or whoever will then schedule the RF if you consent.

I had my block done in blocks done in March and a few weeks later the RF procedure was done...

Jyes

Yeah, I had mine a month or so before my RFA...

basically you try out the 'numbing/deadening' of those nerves with a temporary fix., then after you have tried it and liked the effect you are set to go ahead with the more complex and hopefully longer-lasting RFA...I would think its silly to get an RFA if you havent had the area tested first to see if you may benefit from it. I guess it is possible that your scans show you have dodgy facet-joints and its obvious to the Doc. that this is your pain generator.

I have rsd for two years now i have had all the shots wraps'meds.'finally down to rfa the first one took 2 hours with ending when the electric bed broke nithing was done but alot of pain in my back with stingers all the way down to my toes went back for asecond one another 2hours with poking and proding to whichc the outcome was the same as the first one the doctor said i couldn't be sedated on either one of them now i am schuelded for a third one third times a charm they say this time the doc says he will give me something to relax i am so done with this procedure!!!! i have to do these because this is a workers comp injury thanks for listening to my problems i am glad i found this sight

I would be mad as hell if I had to endure procedures I didn't want to undergo, and it were painful and not helping. Adjusters are not medical doctors. And if my doctor would try to force it on me, I would be very upset, but I would have to think about that if my doctor said I needed it.

Sorry you had to go through with that.