Lumbar Medial Branch Block and a Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), any information , comments or opinions? He has had PT in the past along with a couple different injections one targeting his spinal stenosis and medication for pain.
@melhen I found comments in other discussions with members discussing Lumbar Medial Branch Block and a Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation. You might want to check these out where you can meet members with this experience.
The back injection helped loosen the pain grip.
Will have epidural procedure between the lumbar and sacrum tomorrow and will let you know how that injection goes.
Had the epidural yesterday. Too soon to see any difference. Injection site still sore. That was not a pleasent shot. It takes some effort/time to get the shot to the right spot. I don’t think there was a numbing agent. Felt like multiple bee stings.
The injection caused tingling down both legs. It hurt, they repeated, ‘its pressure’. So now it’s sore/uncomfortable (at injection site). They said no heat but ice was okay. Indirect application helped best.
All and all, if this works, I’d do it again. If not, well we know thats not gonna happen lol.
They said 2-10 days to see improvement in pain. So, the clock is ticking. I guess there is such a thing as waiting too long, but I’d recommend, fact check recommendations. Thats not to say you don’t trust. You would be backing up/corroborating their findings. I delayed “treatment” (the epidural) because a doctor said it would make my balance worse. She said she did not recommend it. Come to find out it was not the case!! I quickly made appointment for this shot. I still have crappy balance, but hopefully as/if pain reduces, it might improve (it’s the pain that has something to do with that, that and the messed up signals my brain is getting!
I will let you know how effective this shot was on me. What works on one might have different results on someone else but I say, when you are in hellish pain that does not seem to weigh in too much. What’s good for the goose!
Had the epidural yesterday. Too soon to see any difference. Injection site still sore. That was not a pleasent shot. It takes some effort/time to get the shot to the right spot. I don’t think there was a numbing agent. Felt like multiple bee stings.
The injection caused tingling down both legs. It hurt, they repeated, ‘its pressure’. So now it’s sore/uncomfortable (at injection site). They said no heat but ice was okay. Indirect application helped best.
All and all, if this works, I’d do it again. If not, well we know thats not gonna happen lol.
They said 2-10 days to see improvement in pain. So, the clock is ticking. I guess there is such a thing as waiting too long, but I’d recommend, fact check recommendations. Thats not to say you don’t trust. You would be backing up/corroborating their findings. I delayed “treatment” (the epidural) because a doctor said it would make my balance worse. She said she did not recommend it. Come to find out it was not the case!! I quickly made appointment for this shot. I still have crappy balance, but hopefully as/if pain reduces, it might improve (it’s the pain that has something to do with that, that and the messed up signals my brain is getting!
I will let you know how effective this shot was on me. What works on one might have different results on someone else but I say, when you are in hellish pain that does not seem to weigh in too much. What’s good for the goose!
Had the epidural yesterday. Too soon to see any difference. Injection site still sore. That was not a pleasent shot. It takes some effort/time to get the shot to the right spot. I don’t think there was a numbing agent. Felt like multiple bee stings.
The injection caused tingling down both legs. It hurt, they repeated, ‘its pressure’. So now it’s sore/uncomfortable (at injection site). They said no heat but ice was okay. Indirect application helped best.
All and all, if this works, I’d do it again. If not, well we know thats not gonna happen lol.
They said 2-10 days to see improvement in pain. So, the clock is ticking. I guess there is such a thing as waiting too long, but I’d recommend, fact check recommendations. Thats not to say you don’t trust. You would be backing up/corroborating their findings. I delayed “treatment” (the epidural) because a doctor said it would make my balance worse. She said she did not recommend it. Come to find out it was not the case!! I quickly made appointment for this shot. I still have crappy balance, but hopefully as/if pain reduces, it might improve (it’s the pain that has something to do with that, that and the messed up signals my brain is getting!
I will let you know how effective this shot was on me. What works on one might have different results on someone else but I say, when you are in hellish pain that does not seem to weigh in too much. What’s good for the goose!
Hopefully, you're already feeling some positive effects from the epidural. It's pretty natural to imagine quick and positive results - but back treatments are seldom exactly that way. If the doc says 2-10 days to see improvement - believe that. Did they say you'd see improvements in pain? Or that you should expect to be pain-free?
Had the epidural yesterday. Too soon to see any difference. Injection site still sore. That was not a pleasent shot. It takes some effort/time to get the shot to the right spot. I don’t think there was a numbing agent. Felt like multiple bee stings.
The injection caused tingling down both legs. It hurt, they repeated, ‘its pressure’. So now it’s sore/uncomfortable (at injection site). They said no heat but ice was okay. Indirect application helped best.
All and all, if this works, I’d do it again. If not, well we know thats not gonna happen lol.
They said 2-10 days to see improvement in pain. So, the clock is ticking. I guess there is such a thing as waiting too long, but I’d recommend, fact check recommendations. Thats not to say you don’t trust. You would be backing up/corroborating their findings. I delayed “treatment” (the epidural) because a doctor said it would make my balance worse. She said she did not recommend it. Come to find out it was not the case!! I quickly made appointment for this shot. I still have crappy balance, but hopefully as/if pain reduces, it might improve (it’s the pain that has something to do with that, that and the messed up signals my brain is getting!
I will let you know how effective this shot was on me. What works on one might have different results on someone else but I say, when you are in hellish pain that does not seem to weigh in too much. What’s good for the goose!
Hi — I hope you get a positive result. I’ve had a number of them over the years. Sometimes I’m good for years - sometimes I need once twice a year. Oftentimes my orthopedist sends me to PT 10 days after the shot to work on continually strengthen and stabilize my core muscles As much as I don’t like doing them, I do believe it has helped tremendously. I will keep my fingers crossed for success of this injection - last time I was told by the nurse to ice to help keep the medication in the area that it was injected, that heat helps dissipate it. Makes sense, I guess.
Hopefully, you're already feeling some positive effects from the epidural. It's pretty natural to imagine quick and positive results - but back treatments are seldom exactly that way. If the doc says 2-10 days to see improvement - believe that. Did they say you'd see improvements in pain? Or that you should expect to be pain-free?
Well, I started to notice the swelling in my legs is virtually non existent now! How did that happen? So, that is big. Now you can see how skinny my leg is at calf, ankle and top of foot. So that is one thing.
It is affecting my ‘body’ in that the little stinging pains have diminished.
The calf and back spasms are still happening as is the severe pains that strike at any time. It w continues to wake me up from a sound sleep to apply the lidocaine ointment. Oh Gosh, that hurts! Thats the nerve pain. Bottoms of feet are still raw and sensitive to pain. So I’m waiting for help there. Also in waiting for landing gear adn upper back help.
It would improve pain. They didn’t say I’d be pain free. So I don’t know about that. I’m skeptical until I feel a difference which I’m starting to.
It is “activating”. She said they will work on lower back first then work their way up (the mid back and neck areas). I will see what types of therapy shots she will/might give for those areas. I’m hoping the neck is just a shot and not more. She was a doctor of few words.
Hi — I hope you get a positive result. I’ve had a number of them over the years. Sometimes I’m good for years - sometimes I need once twice a year. Oftentimes my orthopedist sends me to PT 10 days after the shot to work on continually strengthen and stabilize my core muscles As much as I don’t like doing them, I do believe it has helped tremendously. I will keep my fingers crossed for success of this injection - last time I was told by the nurse to ice to help keep the medication in the area that it was injected, that heat helps dissipate it. Makes sense, I guess.
I don’t have an orthopedist now, just some radiology that needs updating and new.
I will go to PT once the radiology is performed and I have reports in hand. They can’t help what they are unaware of and like anything else, some damage can be done if neglecting the reports. My thoughts I’ll share at drs appointments coming up.
They told me specifically “no heat”, I asked them about Ice, she said ice is good. So, I listened, although direct ice was irritation to the site, I placed it indirectly which offered some relief.
Best of luck to you on your injection. The beauty of the shot was I didn’t know how the epidural was going to be. I had one in a muscle that helped last year.
How much pain was involved. Comparatively, to the nerve pain and spasm I have, I dealt with it thinking of it in that way. I said to myself (during shot) this is no worse than what I experience and it will be temporary.
Best of luck to you and the shot on 3/11! I hope you get the help and relief you need!!
Had the epidural yesterday. Too soon to see any difference. Injection site still sore. That was not a pleasent shot. It takes some effort/time to get the shot to the right spot. I don’t think there was a numbing agent. Felt like multiple bee stings.
The injection caused tingling down both legs. It hurt, they repeated, ‘its pressure’. So now it’s sore/uncomfortable (at injection site). They said no heat but ice was okay. Indirect application helped best.
All and all, if this works, I’d do it again. If not, well we know thats not gonna happen lol.
They said 2-10 days to see improvement in pain. So, the clock is ticking. I guess there is such a thing as waiting too long, but I’d recommend, fact check recommendations. Thats not to say you don’t trust. You would be backing up/corroborating their findings. I delayed “treatment” (the epidural) because a doctor said it would make my balance worse. She said she did not recommend it. Come to find out it was not the case!! I quickly made appointment for this shot. I still have crappy balance, but hopefully as/if pain reduces, it might improve (it’s the pain that has something to do with that, that and the messed up signals my brain is getting!
I will let you know how effective this shot was on me. What works on one might have different results on someone else but I say, when you are in hellish pain that does not seem to weigh in too much. What’s good for the goose!
Hi!
I've had many steroid epidural injections over the past 7 years. I've been very fortunate to find a pain management Doc that is very gentle, I went twice to a different PM Doc before my current, & the injections were absolute agony... I broke-into cold sweats & almost vomited from the pain in my knees, which felt like were going to explode.
Yep, your PM Doc matters, these injections (& RF Ablations) can be made "comfortably"!
Using injections to target specific locations enabled us to pinpoint the source of my discomfort. (HINT: we were somewhat surprised to discover the actual location of my pain)
I personally feel that steroid injections are a very effective tool for targeting discomfort, at least it was in my case.
For me, L1-2 was the culprit - I'm 3-weeks post-op PLIF (I'm now fused from L1-S1), & I'm cautiously hopeful!!
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@melhen I found comments in other discussions with members discussing Lumbar Medial Branch Block and a Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation. You might want to check these out where you can meet members with this experience.
Harrington rods and complications
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/854005/
Scoliosis - Introduce yourself and meet others
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/623935/
Jennifer
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1 ReactionThe back injection helped loosen the pain grip.
Will have epidural procedure between the lumbar and sacrum tomorrow and will let you know how that injection goes.
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1 ReactionHad the epidural yesterday. Too soon to see any difference. Injection site still sore. That was not a pleasent shot. It takes some effort/time to get the shot to the right spot. I don’t think there was a numbing agent. Felt like multiple bee stings.
The injection caused tingling down both legs. It hurt, they repeated, ‘its pressure’. So now it’s sore/uncomfortable (at injection site). They said no heat but ice was okay. Indirect application helped best.
All and all, if this works, I’d do it again. If not, well we know thats not gonna happen lol.
They said 2-10 days to see improvement in pain. So, the clock is ticking. I guess there is such a thing as waiting too long, but I’d recommend, fact check recommendations. Thats not to say you don’t trust. You would be backing up/corroborating their findings. I delayed “treatment” (the epidural) because a doctor said it would make my balance worse. She said she did not recommend it. Come to find out it was not the case!! I quickly made appointment for this shot. I still have crappy balance, but hopefully as/if pain reduces, it might improve (it’s the pain that has something to do with that, that and the messed up signals my brain is getting!
I will let you know how effective this shot was on me. What works on one might have different results on someone else but I say, when you are in hellish pain that does not seem to weigh in too much. What’s good for the goose!
Be as well as you can be!
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4 ReactionsGood luck Captn Nemo
I am going for my injection this Monday 3/11. Not looking forward to the procedure but hopeful I will get results.
Will post here on results.
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3 ReactionsHopefully, you're already feeling some positive effects from the epidural. It's pretty natural to imagine quick and positive results - but back treatments are seldom exactly that way. If the doc says 2-10 days to see improvement - believe that. Did they say you'd see improvements in pain? Or that you should expect to be pain-free?
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi — I hope you get a positive result. I’ve had a number of them over the years. Sometimes I’m good for years - sometimes I need once twice a year. Oftentimes my orthopedist sends me to PT 10 days after the shot to work on continually strengthen and stabilize my core muscles As much as I don’t like doing them, I do believe it has helped tremendously. I will keep my fingers crossed for success of this injection - last time I was told by the nurse to ice to help keep the medication in the area that it was injected, that heat helps dissipate it. Makes sense, I guess.
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2 ReactionsHi Phil,
Well, I started to notice the swelling in my legs is virtually non existent now! How did that happen? So, that is big. Now you can see how skinny my leg is at calf, ankle and top of foot. So that is one thing.
It is affecting my ‘body’ in that the little stinging pains have diminished.
The calf and back spasms are still happening as is the severe pains that strike at any time. It w continues to wake me up from a sound sleep to apply the lidocaine ointment. Oh Gosh, that hurts! Thats the nerve pain. Bottoms of feet are still raw and sensitive to pain. So I’m waiting for help there. Also in waiting for landing gear adn upper back help.
It would improve pain. They didn’t say I’d be pain free. So I don’t know about that. I’m skeptical until I feel a difference which I’m starting to.
It is “activating”. She said they will work on lower back first then work their way up (the mid back and neck areas). I will see what types of therapy shots she will/might give for those areas. I’m hoping the neck is just a shot and not more. She was a doctor of few words.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply!
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1 ReactionHi Willow5,
Thank you for your reply and well wishes. Me too.
Wow, good for years, I hope it’s that way for me.
I don’t have an orthopedist now, just some radiology that needs updating and new.
I will go to PT once the radiology is performed and I have reports in hand. They can’t help what they are unaware of and like anything else, some damage can be done if neglecting the reports. My thoughts I’ll share at drs appointments coming up.
They told me specifically “no heat”, I asked them about Ice, she said ice is good. So, I listened, although direct ice was irritation to the site, I placed it indirectly which offered some relief.
Thank you so much!
Feel better best you can. 😊
💜
Best of luck to you on your injection. The beauty of the shot was I didn’t know how the epidural was going to be. I had one in a muscle that helped last year.
How much pain was involved. Comparatively, to the nerve pain and spasm I have, I dealt with it thinking of it in that way. I said to myself (during shot) this is no worse than what I experience and it will be temporary.
Best of luck to you and the shot on 3/11! I hope you get the help and relief you need!!
💜
-
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi!
I've had many steroid epidural injections over the past 7 years. I've been very fortunate to find a pain management Doc that is very gentle, I went twice to a different PM Doc before my current, & the injections were absolute agony... I broke-into cold sweats & almost vomited from the pain in my knees, which felt like were going to explode.
Yep, your PM Doc matters, these injections (& RF Ablations) can be made "comfortably"!
Using injections to target specific locations enabled us to pinpoint the source of my discomfort. (HINT: we were somewhat surprised to discover the actual location of my pain)
I personally feel that steroid injections are a very effective tool for targeting discomfort, at least it was in my case.
For me, L1-2 was the culprit - I'm 3-weeks post-op PLIF (I'm now fused from L1-S1), & I'm cautiously hopeful!!
Good luck with your journey!!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions