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Facet Joint Injections - Anyone had success?

Posted by shellsk24 @shellsk24, Jun 20, 2016

I have just began a series of facet joint injections for chronic lower back pain, due to arthritis and degenerative spine disease. The injections start off small then they add more medication as we continue. I had the first injection 3 days ago. I was told it could take upto 5 days to start feeling the benefits of the injection. The injections (total 6 in L2-L6) hurt like heck, and I have not felt any change in my chronic pain as of yet which is quite depressing. I was so hopeful. I am told the first injection is with just a small amount of anti-inflammatory med, so it may or may not be sufficient. Has anyone else had these? If so what was your experience with the entire process? I'm just wondering if I should proceed.

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lioness | @lioness | Nov 12, 2018
In reply to @grandmar "@icopro59 Good Morning I hope I am not too late to respond. RF ablation is more..." + (show)
@grandmar

@icopro59
Good Morning
I hope I am not too late to respond.
RF ablation is more than just a shot.
RF ablation is when the nerve(s) giving you a problem are cauterized.
The idea is if the nerve endings are killed off (temporarily), your pain will lessen.
Since the procedure is geared in one place, not all of the nerves involved (in the pain) will be done.
This is a temporary stop gap that can last 6 months depending on how long it takes for the nerves to regenerate.
Your doctor should have done 1 to 2 test injections (under a florascope) to see if he/she could find the nerves involed.
A shot is given. If the spot is found, you should get relief for 2 to 4 hours. The shot area is recorded by the florascope so the doc knows where to do the ablation.
Each person is different but in my experience I was able to go about my business the next day.
However, plan to stay home after the procedure. You might recieve a mild sedative and you might be a little sore requiring icing.
Regardless, you should have someone go with you and have him/het drive.
BTW...in my experience, this procedure is uncomfortable. If you sre offered a sedative i advise you to take it. I've been taking all sorts of spinal injections and I have NEVER taken a sedative. My doctor insissted for this (not the test but actual procedure). I am glad he did.
I hope I haven't scared you out of this. If it works, it is worth it!
Good luck !!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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@grandmar Boy I hope I never have to have that done Im chicken So far the anti inflammatory creams are helping .

REPLY
1 reply
grandmaR | @grandmar | Nov 12, 2018
In reply to @lioness "@GrandmaR Boy I hope I never have to have that done Im chicken So far the..." + (show)
@lioness

@grandmar Boy I hope I never have to have that done Im chicken So far the anti inflammatory creams are helping .

Jump to this post

@lioness
I get to a point when I'll do just about anything to try to get rid of the pain and to have a quality of life. The discomfort is temporary and worth it, especially if it works!!

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Nov 12, 2018
In reply to @grandmar "@lioness I get to a point when I'll do just about anything to try to get..." + (show)
@grandmar

@lioness
I get to a point when I'll do just about anything to try to get rid of the pain and to have a quality of life. The discomfort is temporary and worth it, especially if it works!!

Jump to this post

@grandmar Im happy for you if I get to that point it would be different I know @

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linda66 | @linda66 | Nov 12, 2018
In reply to @lioness "@linda66 have you gone to a neurosurgeon?He might be able to help" + (show)
@lioness

@linda66 have you gone to a neurosurgeon?He might be able to help

Jump to this post

Access to care in Canada is a lengthy process even though it is free. There are long wait time just to be able to be referred to a specialist. She has referred me to a pain clinic that has injections but the wait time is 6 to 18 months. I have anther appointment with her in a couple of weeks and will insist on seeing a neurologist. Sometimes we need to go to Toronto to get better care, but these facilities are not covered under our private or provincial insurance ( OHIP ).

REPLY
2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Nov 12, 2018
In reply to @linda66 "Access to care in Canada is a lengthy process even though it is free. There are..." + (show)
@linda66

Access to care in Canada is a lengthy process even though it is free. There are long wait time just to be able to be referred to a specialist. She has referred me to a pain clinic that has injections but the wait time is 6 to 18 months. I have anther appointment with her in a couple of weeks and will insist on seeing a neurologist. Sometimes we need to go to Toronto to get better care, but these facilities are not covered under our private or provincial insurance ( OHIP ).

Jump to this post

@linda66 A neurosurgeon is a little different from a neurologist so ask for the neurosurgeon In meantime do you have that special pillow for the tailbone ? The pillow has a cut out for the tailbone Ice helps for the bulging disc I lay on my ice bag This helps me for my bulging disc I have to lay down in afternoon for awhile 30 minutes. Hopes this helps you

REPLY
grandmaR | @grandmar | Nov 12, 2018
In reply to @linda66 "Access to care in Canada is a lengthy process even though it is free. There are..." + (show)
@linda66

Access to care in Canada is a lengthy process even though it is free. There are long wait time just to be able to be referred to a specialist. She has referred me to a pain clinic that has injections but the wait time is 6 to 18 months. I have anther appointment with her in a couple of weeks and will insist on seeing a neurologist. Sometimes we need to go to Toronto to get better care, but these facilities are not covered under our private or provincial insurance ( OHIP ).

Jump to this post

@linda66
Wow, you have to wait so long! Amazing! What do you do in the meantime? Suffer? The pain can get so bad during that period of time that it could incapacitate you. Will they prescribe meds to tie you over?
Wow!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

REPLY
saintmelangell | @saintmelangell | Feb 4, 2019
In reply to @grandmar "@icopro59 Good Morning I hope I am not too late to respond. RF ablation is more..." + (show)
@grandmar

@icopro59
Good Morning
I hope I am not too late to respond.
RF ablation is more than just a shot.
RF ablation is when the nerve(s) giving you a problem are cauterized.
The idea is if the nerve endings are killed off (temporarily), your pain will lessen.
Since the procedure is geared in one place, not all of the nerves involved (in the pain) will be done.
This is a temporary stop gap that can last 6 months depending on how long it takes for the nerves to regenerate.
Your doctor should have done 1 to 2 test injections (under a florascope) to see if he/she could find the nerves involed.
A shot is given. If the spot is found, you should get relief for 2 to 4 hours. The shot area is recorded by the florascope so the doc knows where to do the ablation.
Each person is different but in my experience I was able to go about my business the next day.
However, plan to stay home after the procedure. You might recieve a mild sedative and you might be a little sore requiring icing.
Regardless, you should have someone go with you and have him/het drive.
BTW...in my experience, this procedure is uncomfortable. If you sre offered a sedative i advise you to take it. I've been taking all sorts of spinal injections and I have NEVER taken a sedative. My doctor insissted for this (not the test but actual procedure). I am glad he did.
I hope I haven't scared you out of this. If it works, it is worth it!
Good luck !!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Jump to this post

I’m having facet injections done in the morning, where the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae meet. My doctor is very experienced, but I am also very sensitive to pain. Are these injections painful?? He was insistent they’re only mildly uncomfortable but now I’m getting really scared. 🙁

REPLY
wandamiller | @wandamiller | Feb 4, 2019

I've had many of them. Ask your doctor if they have valium available if you're able to take it. It's more of an uncomfortable feeling as opposed to being painful. The injection site will be tender for a day but you should be ok after that. Good luck. I hope it helps.

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caklady | @caklady | Feb 5, 2019

I had the injections and the side that is severe was very painful. I had that severe pressure like pain down my butt into my legs.

When I finally went to a rheumatologist and got the inflammation down. That has helped me the most. I have severe facet arthrosis and the doctor recommended a fusion. The Neurosurgeon will not do fusion on people with Ahesvie Arachnoiditis. I took strong pain medication for years. It took the edge off and I wasn’t myself.

My concern for taking Opiods for so long concerned me. I was worried about the effects it was having on my brain. I have a doctor friend who told me that I need to get my inflammation down. I made an appointment with a rheumatologist. They specialize in autoimmune and inflamed joints. I no longer take the strong pain medication. I stopped taking them after the inflammation went down. I can just try to give others the same advice my doctor friend gave me. Everyone is different and should always go by their doctors orders.
I would have never thought of going to a rheumatologist. I will tell you the rheumatologist asked me what took me so long to come and see her. When she looked at my blood work for the last few years. My inflammation markers had been climbing. They are now down for the first time in years.

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anniebrook | @anniebrook | Feb 5, 2019

My 1st lasted 18mths,2nd one in a different area lasted 1yr. Since then they have only lasted about 6 weeks so not sure why that is. I have had nerve ablation in my low back which has lasted a whole yr.My 76yr old neighbour just had his second Nerve ablation in his neck after a whole yr. He is very happy as he too was in a great deal of pain and so far the second one has worked. he had fallen s stories from scaffolding,smashed his feet couldn't walk for 5 yrs because of that but the Dr;s had never looked at the affect on his spine 35yrs later they now find it affected his whole spine so he is very happy at being pain free for the next yr till the nerves grow back.So if these work for you for even a short time you should ask about Nerve ablation.

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