facet injections and burning off the nerves ?!

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I was searching the message board for info & experiences with facet injections.

I've only had the epidural injections in the past, and they did so very little

for me. I am scheduled for a facet injection in May, and my doc also described

doing something to 'burn off' the nerves in that specific area. Have any of you

had this done? I've never even heard or read anything on it before.

Hope you're all having as pain-free of a Tuesday as possible.

Jill

Moderator Note: Jill check these links. I have had both procedures done very

successfully.

Facet injections:

http://www.reddinganesthesia.com/facet_faqs.htm

Radio Frequency Lesioning:

http://tinyurl.com/3pskydg

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

Jill wrote:

> Hello,

>

> I was searching the message board for info and experiences with facet

injections. I've only had the epidural injections in the

past, and they did so very little for me. I am scheduled for a

facet injection in May, and my doc also described doing something

to 'burn off' the nerves in that specific area. Have any of you had this done?

I've never even heard or read anything on it before.

Jill,

The same medication is used in Facet injections that is used in epidurals and it

is just an injection in a different place, the facets of the vertebrae. Pain

specialists will usually try to

inject in different areas to lessen the pain. They will do epidurals, facet

injections, trigger point injections, and diagnostic injections using the same

medications just different places chasing the pain down.

Injections are an invasive procedures and the injection medications contain

neurotoxins which sometimes cause arachnoiditis. Carefully read the

complications and side effects. I am for something that works, but myself,

having over twenty of these, everywhere, I said

no more because I got arachnoiditis and more scarring than I had.

Spine Universe is a good source to research and there are members

in this group that have the same side effects I had and have researched the

condition and causes and do not seek these procedures anymore.

When I want to find the problems about a subject, I type in the subject and then

problems as a normal search might not show them.

I have not had my nerves burned as they do not know if it is my nerves and what

nerves to burn and for that I am thankful, they are not just doing it to try to

find the source.

I would discuss if the epidural didn't work, why are they doing

the facet and could they show you the MRI or x-rays, CT, showing

the facets and why they chose that procedures.

There are a lot of pain management specialists that are anesthesiologists (mine

is) and offer spinal injections often. Insurance pays for these and it is a

profitable income over a prescription. I am sure that most are not doing this

but I have heard of some that tell a patient if they do not do injections,

they will not treat them.

My Doctor will listen if I say no, I don't think it will help me

and I have had enough but am glad they offered.

This medical article states it is a diagnostic procedure :

Facet joint injections are commonly used to determine what is

causing back pain. Facet joint injections are primarily diagnostic injections,

meaning that they help your doctor determine the cause

of your back pain but may not provide you with any long-term relief from the

pain.

These injections eliminate pain temporarily by filling the facet joint with an

anesthetic medication that numbs the facet joint, the ligaments, and joint

capsule around the facet joint. If the facet joint is injected and your pain

goes away for several hours, then it is very likely that the joint is causing

your pain. Once you and your doctor know what structure is causing y

I hope this procedure helps you and you find what is causing your pain.

www.spine-health.com/forum is a good forum and you can type

in " back problems forums " and get some sites or spine problem forums. I wish

you luck in what you decide and let us know how you are.

Bennie

[Guest guest]

Bennie,

   Thank you so much for all the info! 

I have DDD, a few slipped discs, and some bone spurs, but the Dr told me the

facet injection was going to be great relief for the location I have the severe

arthritis.  After reading your message, and going to the links, I am really

unsure if this injection is the route to go.  I have found almost no info

online about the 'burning away of the nerves' in that area.  Which seems even

more peculiar to me.   

I like and trust this doctor very much, especially opposed to all the pill

pushers Ive seen in the past, but I'm reconsidering my feelings of " I'll try

anything now " .  I guess we all get to that point sometimes when the pain is

overwhelming.  I so wish there were all natural treatments that worked, and

would give me my life back, and allow me to be a more physically involved parent

to my kids,- that's what bothers me the most. 

I really appreciate all the info you posted.

Thank you!!!

~Jill

> Bennie wrote:

> www.spine-health.com/forum is a good forum and you can type

in " back problems forums " and get some sites or spine problem forums.

[Guest guest]

I have had " radiofrequency ablation " and I am a lot worse off for it. The pain

was not after the procedure, but about 7-10 days after. It was horrible! I was

bed ridden much of the time.

The pain meds did not help much either. I still feel burning and numbness in the

area after 6 months. I am so lucky I work at home, because I would have surely

lost my job after this.

Discuss with your doc all the side effects. Some people love this and swear by

this procedure. I am one of the unlucky ones that ended up worse off. I so wish

I could go back and undo that procedure!

Good luck. Hope it works for you if you try it.

S*************

> Jill wrote:

> I am scheduled for a facet injection in May, and my doc also described doing

something to 'burn off' the nerves in that specific area. Have any of you had

this done?

[Guest guest]

Hello

Yes my friend it really does work. For 3 month on my back I could do things with

out that pain that I had. So if you are thinking of it try it only once. And

tell me after 1 week how do you feel after having it. Rest for about some day

doing nothing. I hope your pain will be over soon

> Jill wrote:

> I am scheduled for a facet injection in May, and my doc also described doing

something to 'burn off' the nerves in that specific area. Have any of you had

this done?