My 2 cents for what its worth. I had an RF done at c2-c3 I think, somewhere in the cervical area. I did have the facet injections and they did help but for some reason the RF did not. I experienced more pain and soreness for about a month or so and I had hoped that once that leveled off I would get some relief but I didn't. I would say read all you can about it and hopefully others will come who have had a positive experience than you just have to weigh your options. Good luck to ya...Sue

Well, I had RFA today. I just got home a few minutes ago. It was kind of tough, and I can stand a lot of pain. My back is still numb so I don't know if it did any good. Same old ice, rest and no bath for 24. I just hope it was worth it. I am having my right side done in 2 weeks. Gonna try some ice. Later Linda

Linda,

It is nice to see you back...I was going to post some information on it, but I see you already had it done...If you really want or need more info just post...I hope you are comfortable and resting well...

I personally decided it was not for me...but that was me and we are all different...

Gloria-I would appreciate any information that you have on the subject of RFA. I am not sure it was the right choice that I made, but I had to do something. I had too much pain to enjoy anything. I had injections but they never lasted more than a day or two at the most. I really have never had much luck with pain meds either. Surgery seems to be out of the question for the moment at least. The pain has made me feel like I am on the edge. I don't know how else to describe it. It seems like I can not deal with anything right now. -Linda

(((( Linda ))))

I hope that your pain lessens. I can't even imagine how it feels to have the RF'ing done unilaterally; each time I've had it done, it's been bilateral, multi-level. The second through about fourth day following having, generally, been the roughest for me.

Hi, great forum. I have been suffering with osteoarthritis for several years and over the past 18 months things have gotten progressively worse. I have cervicogenic headaches that keep me non-functional for days. Have had facet joint injections in c-spine worked for about a month and wham back to the headaches. They sent me to PT for 16 weeks at 3xs a week, that's 58 sessions, cost me $580.00 in co-pays. They worked on stuff that I did not even have nor did I complain about; shoulder impingement, they wasted 4 weeks on that one. PT helped for my low back pain for a while. But when they started on my neck it became a misery, extensions, retractions and the last straw was when they put me in c-cpine traction on two occassions, elicited extremely brutal headaches.
So I moved onto pain management where they started with the facet joint injections in c-spine, that worked for about a month. Headaches have now returned and I cannot function with them. Spoke to my neuro today and he is recommending RFA. I have read a lot about it and understand the possible side effects and the mistakes that can be made but anything has got to be better than these headaches. I have considered paying out of pocket for botox injections in the nerves actually until I made that statement to the neuro he had only perscribed NSAIDs and PT for the pain.

For anyone who doesn't know facet joint injections are diagnostic as well as therapeutic in nature, if they work then they know the cause of the pain is the nerve at the facet joint if they do not work then that is not the source of pain. The local that is injected wears off in several hours and the steroid they inject can take several days to kick in for the full effect, so if the injections do not provide any relief than your source of pain more than likely is not the nerves at the facet joints. If the injections are not effective they will not follow with RFA, there is no point to it, it won't work.

Oh, the physiotherapist called and left a message "I don't understand why your doctor has not responded to the patient note I sent and the request to continue PT for you." "Give me a call and we will see about getting you back for more PT". This guy didn't want me to have the epidurals in the first place he wanted to extend PT for yet another 8 grueling weeks or longer.

Here's one you will all appreciate: Spoke to neuro this afternoon as PM is on vacation. He has perscribed Tramadol for my head and worsening back pain and on Monday I should make appt. with PM for RFA. I take 20 to 30 mg of Elavil at bedtime for sleep and some pain (from my GP). I ask neuro if the Tramadol can be taken with Elavil, he says sure no problem, I ask pharmacist when I pick up Tramadol if there is a problem with that and Elavil, she says no problem. I read the drug sheet provided by the pharmacist and low and behold YOU CANNOT TAKE TRAMADOL AND ELAVIL TOGETHER can cause seizures and other pretty major problems. Now what do I do, if I stop the Elavil I will go through withdrawl, but the pain is pretty intense so I opted to take the Tramadol this evening and tomorrow morning, if my headache and backache are improved I will need to take at least 10 mg of Elavil. Honestly you can't trust any body with your health these days!

Sharon

My Test Results
MRI C-SPINE
Multi-level spondylosis most marked at C4-5 with right foraminal stenosis by osteophytes. Advance spondylitic narrowing of the C4-5 interspace with anterior and posterior spurring. Foraminal encroachement by osteophytes. Mild narrowing of C5-6 and C6-7 interspaces with mild spurring. Osteophyte on the right at C4-5 attenuates the ventral aspect of the thecal sac but cause no mass-effect upon the cord.

MRI L-SPINE
(Minor Grade I, 5% anterolisthesis of L4 on L5 due to severely degenerated facet joints. Marrow changes at L2-3 reflect DD change. T12-L1 mild DD changes with disc bulge. L1-2 is normal. L2-3 moderate DD and facet changes with disc bulge. L3-4 mild facet degenerative changes. L4-5 mild to moderate dd and moderate degenerative facet changes with left side disc bulge. Mild left lateral recess and left more than right foraminal stenosis. L5-S1 mild to moderate facet degenerative changes.) **This one done in 2006, the one done in 2004 shows the disc at L4-5 "small herniation to the left of midline". They claim the MD in 2004 was probably not well trained in reviewing spinal MRI.

Xray of T-Spine: Degenerative changes fo the thoracic spine, no evidence of fracture of subluxation. (Suppose I should have an MRI done for the T as well)

Glad to see some more action in this forum. I've decided against the RFA. I'm glad the first injections were succesful in pinpointing the pain, but now am trying to research any other options. My doctor completely blew me off and denied any further help once I decided against the procedure. I really felt abandonned. I don't like health care people too well right now.
Any suggestions on other treatments would be greatly appreciated.
Be careful with those drugs Sharon. Some of these doctors really don't have a damn clue, or give a damn, I think. J-moe

Also my doctor denied that the RFA actually cuts or burns or severs the nerve. Complete oposite of everything else I researched. He also made his nurse explain all of this to me, and would not talk to me.(He makes me so mad) Because I'm not going through with this multi-thousand dollar treatment that will indefinately need repeating, thus giving job security to this a#$hole, he is completely and cold-heartedly denying any form of guidance other than this procedure.

Hi Sharon~
Welcome to the forum, but sorry you have to be here. Sounds like you have a lot to deal with too. Hang in there!

I did want to comment on this:
I take 50mg of Elavil at bedtime and I also take Tramadol 37.5mg 4x’s/day. I've been on this combination for over two years with no problems. Sometimes I think they have to put the warning on there if something happened to one person out of 3 million, just to cover their butts. Of course this is just my opinion and I am not a medical professional.

I hope you find some relief soon! Take care and keep us in formed--we care!
Hugs,
Jan

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum but I had RF on my neck (c3-c5), Monday 2/18/08. So far, I haven't seen any improvement but I understand it takes time and it's been only 4 days. I hope that in a couple of weeks th pain will subside and I will see results.

My background: I'm a 52 y/o male and I have Degenerated Disk Disease. My past treatments: I have had a Micro Laminectomy and a Cage Fusion on my lumbar (L5-S1). these were done after many facet join and Epidural injections. and my lower back is still crap. Then, about 2 years ago, my neck started giving me trouble. My MRI shows that C3-C6 as having problems with C3/C4 being the worst. I have had several facet join and Epidural injections with NO help. The RF is basically my last stop before another major surgery that, in the past, hasn't helped at all.

I guess I'm ranting a bit, but I'm hoping that someone here has had similar experiences and can perhaps offer some advice.

Thanks

Hello out there! I am not sure if this is even the correct place to respond (as the previous posts are rather old) but I am scheduled for the diagnostic test that proceeds the RF..... but when talking to my worker's comp nurse today she recommended that I do some research before agree to either procedure. She knows that I tend to be very proactive about my treatment.

I am very glad she had me take a look around, and I am left feeling pretty hesitant now. Did anyone out there end up with positive long term results??