Radio frequency ablation

Posted by maggie7816 @maggie7816, Feb 23 3:17pm

Has anyone here tried radio frequency ablation for neuropathy? If so, is it working, and where would I receive treatment?

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@nemo1

Thank you Charles. I have plenty of nerve pain so that sounds like a match. Now I’m confused why my nm doctor was against the pain managements ‘ablation’ and epidural. She said it would make my balance worse.
I thought both those doctors should be on the same page. So I have not had any procedures to help my nerve pain which has reached agonizing levels. It’s worsened and is more frequent. I’m worried. If i don’t get the right help this could become permanent.

And God Bless You.

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All of the ablations and injections that I have had has stopped my pain in the area treated area. My balance has neither been affected positively or negatively. If I may suggest, please go to a Pain Management doctor. You might say, talk to the horses' mouth. If there are other patients in the room, chat with them. You are already working at becoming informed. I commend you. God bless you on your journey and let me know how you do. Charles

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@brotherchuckles80

All of the ablations and injections that I have had has stopped my pain in the area treated area. My balance has neither been affected positively or negatively. If I may suggest, please go to a Pain Management doctor. You might say, talk to the horses' mouth. If there are other patients in the room, chat with them. You are already working at becoming informed. I commend you. God bless you on your journey and let me know how you do. Charles

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May I ask if the procedures were done in the lumbar-sacrum areas?

I’m happy to learn that your balance was not affected.

I am supposed to have a pain management appointment for the 28th and I don’t see it in the portal, so I don’t know what happened to it. Thats frustrating. I had it booked for a month. This puts me behind.

Great ideas Chuck. Thank you. I hope others in the office would be open to discussing therapy measures. I’m trying. Thanks for the encouragement.

God bless you too 😊

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I had them in the Lumbar but they did not have Avery lengthy affect so the doc recommended a Spial Cord Stimulator. I have had it about two years. It has given me 100%pain relief. It does not do much for the arthritis in the area. But I can deal with that. God bless you. Charles

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@brotherchuckles80

I had them in the Lumbar but they did not have Avery lengthy affect so the doc recommended a Spial Cord Stimulator. I have had it about two years. It has given me 100%pain relief. It does not do much for the arthritis in the area. But I can deal with that. God bless you. Charles

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I posted in comments instead of reply. Sorry.

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@brotherchuckles80

I had them in the Lumbar but they did not have Avery lengthy affect so the doc recommended a Spial Cord Stimulator. I have had it about two years. It has given me 100%pain relief. It does not do much for the arthritis in the area. But I can deal with that. God bless you. Charles

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I wonder if that is something that relieves back spasms? For something that gives you 100% relief, that sounds miraculous! I’m going to investigate that.

Which symptoms does it help?

Two of my chief complaints is the nerve pain and the muscle spasms. So If they could help both that would be astounding.

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@nemo1

I wonder if that is something that relieves back spasms? For something that gives you 100% relief, that sounds miraculous! I’m going to investigate that.

Which symptoms does it help?

Two of my chief complaints is the nerve pain and the muscle spasms. So If they could help both that would be astounding.

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Since I am not a doctor and have not had back spasms in years, I cannot comment as to whether or not the injections will help with that. I can tell yuo the injections have provided tremendous help for my back pain.

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@brotherchuckles80

Since I am not a doctor and have not had back spasms in years, I cannot comment as to whether or not the injections will help with that. I can tell yuo the injections have provided tremendous help for my back pain.

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just wanted to update. I am receiving an epidural at L4-S1. She said it would help foot pain. Not spasm. But if she call reduce or illuminate my pain at these spine levels I will be a new person with a new lease on life. She will work on upper spine after we deal with lower spine. So, I had to ask her because the nm dr told me when I asked if such a procedure she woud recommend. She said, No. Because it would affect balance. So, for a year I’ve been suffering needlessly! I’m not happy with the nm doctor!!! She said the ablation is for if the pain is not helped for long enough of a period of time. All and all and eduction.

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@nemo1

just wanted to update. I am receiving an epidural at L4-S1. She said it would help foot pain. Not spasm. But if she call reduce or illuminate my pain at these spine levels I will be a new person with a new lease on life. She will work on upper spine after we deal with lower spine. So, I had to ask her because the nm dr told me when I asked if such a procedure she woud recommend. She said, No. Because it would affect balance. So, for a year I’ve been suffering needlessly! I’m not happy with the nm doctor!!! She said the ablation is for if the pain is not helped for long enough of a period of time. All and all and eduction.

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The duration of pain reduction varies. I have had one last for 18 months and I have had others that last for 6 months. There is no way of predicting the duration period.
With regards to balance, as I have previously written, the ablations and injections do not help with balance. I wish that it did because mine is in the tank.
God bless you and I am always happy to help with advice if I am able.
Charles

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@brotherchuckles80

The duration of pain reduction varies. I have had one last for 18 months and I have had others that last for 6 months. There is no way of predicting the duration period.
With regards to balance, as I have previously written, the ablations and injections do not help with balance. I wish that it did because mine is in the tank.
God bless you and I am always happy to help with advice if I am able.
Charles

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Understood Charles. If this helps the pain at all in the feet, that to me is a game changer and I will be very happy.

She also said it may help with swelling I have in the sinus that I was to take a steroid for. I asked her if I should wait to take it (another dr prescribed me a steroid for that issue). Since the back is more important than the sinus I am opting for that shot of course. So this would be a perk.

If I understood her, if a shot does not last long enough then I would be a candidate for ablation. So, having options is good.

Since it’s not going to do anything for spasm, looks like I will end up staying on muscle relaxer unless there is another alternative for that.

I think talking to you gave me the confidence to talk to her about the whole balance thing. Thank God I did! I would not have seen that as an option. So, Thank You Charles! 😊

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@johnbishop

Hi @maggie7816, I don't have any experience with radio frequency ablation. I'm tagging @bmaharry, @sam65, @barbbie and @rwinney who have posted in other discussions about radio frequency ablations and may have some experiences to share with you.

I thought you might find the following article interesting if not helpful:
--- Long-lasting pain relief with radiofrequency ablation: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/radiofrequency-ablation-pain-relief

Have you discussed the treatment with your doctor or care team?

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Hi @maggie7816, So sorry for your struggles with neuropathy. Unfortunately, I'm unaware of ablations helping neuropathy symptoms like tingling or numbness. The radio frequency ablations I had in the past were to treat pain. While in the beginning I felt some relief, RFA's eventually lost efficacy.

My suggestion is to discuss alternative measures with your neurologist and look into self-help tools like mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing and imagery to aid in symptom management.

What has your care plan consisted of so far?

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