Re: Radio Frequency Ablation - RFA

[Guest guest]

Hi, I have had this done twice in the UK, about the same levels. Last time was

over 2 years ago. It took a while to settle but had definitely helped me. i

haven't had facet injections since then and I was having them every 9 months or

so. I had it done with very light sedation. You do need to be able to tell him

when he hits the spot.  Its OK, not the most pleasant thing but better than the

dentist!!  Good luck.

Juley

>Has anyone here had the RFA procedure done? My Doc

wants to do 3 levels to make sure he nails it:L2,L3 & L4. He said he does not use

any anesthesia because he needs to know that he's got the " sweet spot, " but that

it's not a real painful experience. Also that it can last up to a year. So if

any of you have had this done, good or bad, would you please be kind enough to

share your thoughts with me please?

[Guest guest]

I have had several done, no anesthesia, but they do give me a Valium to

relax me. Mine have all lasted forever since they were done! And this

would be several years now. Flo

[Guest guest]

Des wrote:

> Has anyone here had the RFA procedure done?

I'm another person who has been getting radio frequency treatments. I

take an extra pain medication and .5 mg of Klonopin before I go for the

procedure. Having the extra pain medication in me, doesn't interfere

with knowing when the doctor has hit the correct spot. It does make it

a little easier to take. (my neck is a mess inside)

My doctors have all told me that if you have successfully had facet

injections, then radio frequency should work well for you. If you

haven't had facet injections, or did and they weren't successful, then

radio frequency could be a waste of time and money.

My radio frequency treatments have lasted anywhere from a year to two

and a half years.

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

Flo Keaton wrote:

> I have had several done, no anesthesia, but they do give me a Valium to

> relax me. Mine have all lasted forever since they were done! And this

> would be several years now. Flo

>

>

Flo,

My question is about this procedure, Did they know right where they needed to go

and do this ?

They don't know specifically where my pain generates as it generates from

several areas so I don't know if I am candidate and my Doctors never pursued it.

Do you have any input on that, it would really help me also ? Oh, and thank you

for sharing that, you don't know unless you hear it from someone who has done

it.

Bennie

>

> --

[Guest guest]

I think I shared already that I have had 2 of these to my head.  I consider them

torture!  They lasted about 6-8 months before the headaches worsened.  However,

my pain is now more like when you have a foot (or other body part) fall asleep: 

That tingling is worse than the pain, as it is nauseating and dizzying.  If any

of you have to have this procedure to the head, be aware that a Valium or other

sedative will take the edge off, but the pain may still be excruciating.  I am

not a medical professional, but writing from my experience.

Sue Meismer