Facet Joint Injections - Anyone had success?

RFA was a hit for me too. Injections never seemed to work well for me.

There IS a down side to using ANY Opioid. Yes, they will help with the pain, but are very habit forming, PLUS.....one should avoid driving because technically you would be Driving Under the Influence. I know. I was taking Morphine and Tramadol for ten years for Neuropathy pain. I got pulled over by a cop who just happened to be a good friend. I told him about my condition and my meds. As a friend he had me do a Field Sobriety test which I failed miserably because my Neuropathy makes walking straight impossible. Again, as a friend, he took me to the ER for a blood test, which showed the narcotics, and I failed miserably also. All this could have resulted in a ticket, but instead he took me home and had another cop drive my car home. he said IF I promised to quit driving OR get off narcotics, he would NOT give me the ticket I sooooo deserved. I got off very lucky and within a month I was at Mayo's Pain Rehab Center where they cleaned me up and taught me how to "MANAGE" my pain. BTW, my cop friend is now an even better friend.

What a great friend - making a punishable moment into a deep learning moment.

@predictable I saw the ortho surgeon. He is not recommending any surgery at this time. If I had numbness or weakness he would, but the various injections have that issue currently resolved. So it's back to suffering with 1 Norco a day for relief of pain (9 is my usual without it, 8 with Norco) Doctors in my area are unwilling to prescribe any narcotics.
Thanks again for the info!

medic7054 You are lucky to have such a good friend. Is there any way to tell what states have laws like this? I never thought of this. I drive all the time, but since I have used my pain medication for years I feel that I can adjust for it, so far no accidents or tickets for many years. If this is true in many states it will make pain control harder and life more difficult for many pain suffers.. Opioids are not the best pain control, but for some they work. In fact my sciatic pain which usually comes as shooting pains that cause me to jump are in my opinion more dangerous if I am driving, however if I feel an attack coming on I do not drive, nor do I drive if I feel I can not control things well due to new medication.. If many states have these kinds of laws there are many people who could be in trouble. From my point of view this adds more problems for pain suffers who maintain control, but may not be able to pass a blood test. I could not walk a straight line even if I had no drugs in my system since I am missing a leg and I kind of wabble when I walk in all circumstances. 🙂 I woulld like to know if there is a way to check which states have strict standards? 19lin

All states have basically the same DWI laws. When driving with narcotics onboard you are running the risk. No, lets say you had an accident and the other party was either seriously injured or killed, you would be held liable when they tested your blood and found narcotics. I was lucky.

My doctor was very hopeful but they didn't work for me but I sure wish you good luck.

The doctor told me epidermal injection would help me and should take care of my back and legs. It helped for about a week and now back to where I was before the shot. I'm in pain every day what else can I do besides this injection.

I wish I had a magic wand to wave over you (and myself too, for that matter). But all you can do - and I think this is VERY important - is to go back to your doc and KEEP going back to your doc until he comes up with something that works or refers you to someone else who can help you.

If you get frustrated and give up (and I understand the temptation ) it will NEVER get better. But if you keep coming back and coming back and insisting your doc find a solution he will be VERY motivated to find it b/c he'll get VERY tired of hearing from you. Remember, it's the SQUEAKY wheel that gets oiled.

I have had epidural injections as well. Did your doctor tell you that you may need more than one shot to obtain any relief? My former pain relief doctor was an anesthesiologist and provided me with the full scope of expectations. I had minimal relief with the first injection but had great relief with the second. I would talk to your doctor.