Facet Joint Injections - Anyone had success?

@vtstu
Hi!
First, I took NSAIDs for my back, too and wound up with severe inflammation in my stomach. I can no longer take it.

I've had RFA a few times.
The last one I had, my pain doc insisted on giving me some sedation!
The RFA was being done (for the first time) in my cervical spine and he said it is more painful than the lumbar.
He was sooooo right!
That is the reason you need someone to drive you home, the sedation and pain.

I wish I could tell you that the RFA worked for me, but none of them have.
It was because my pain doc could not get my pain under control, that I finally decided on surgery.
I had cervical and lumbar surgery within 6 months of each other.
I am happy to tell you that I am no longer in pain!

I do not know how many docs or what 'kind' of docs you saw, or when you saw them, but if you are interested in surgery, you might want to research and get another opinion.

Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@vtstu
My RFA worked for me. I wasn't pain free but I would say about 75% - 80% for about 6 months (until the nerves grow back). @grandmar is correct, the RFA is very painful, I cannot lie to you. It's like legal torture even with the sedation. You will definitely need a ride home. Please don't be afraid though, it doesn't take very long to complete the procedure. They have to make sure they recreate your pain so they get it in the right spot. I had my T10-T12 done. Hope your's works for you. Please let us know!!

My injection was an unmitigated waste of time and if anything I was worse afterwards, I am now looking at surgery

@lotsofpain
Good Morning,
I am so sorry your injection did not work!
I went for shots for years and nothing gave me more than a few days of help.
I tried 4 or 5 different pain docs, nothing.
Then, I moved to Florida and I finally, after years and pain docs, I found someone who helped me.
This doc found the right combination of meds and location to give me up to 3 months of reduced pain and sometimes limited pain!
After 4 years, when he could no longer help, I opted for surgery.
I am not sorry I had the surgery since I am now PAIN FREE.
I am certainly NOT saying to have surgery, but have you tried different docs?
If surgery is your decision, just be prepared for the POSSIBILITY of a long recovery.
What ever you decide, I wish you the best.
Please, if you do decide on surgery, research and research for the best surgeon!!!

Best of luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

I've had numerous injections over the years and none of them worked. I think they just keep suggesting more injections just to keep you a profitable patient. I refused to have any more done and my doctor literally ditched me!

@qball2019
Happy Sunday,
First, please let me tell you how much I love your 'user name'!
I am sorry you have had no luck with your pain doc's injections.
Have you tried any other pain docs?
I went to about 5 before I found someone who actually helped me!
I saw him for 4 years and when the shots no longer worked I opted for surgery.
For me, it was the right choice as I had to try something to help me get some sort of quality of life.
I found a great surgeon and after being in chronic pain 24/7 for over a decade, I am no PAIN FREE.
All I am saying, do a lot of research and read what patients are saying about the doctor.
You might find the right one to help you, I did!

Have a good rest of your day!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@grandmar
Thanks for liking my user name 🙂 I finally found a couple doctors that are actually working with me. I spent 15 years just labeled a chronic pain patient. Every time they did an MRI I was told they didn't see anything that would cause my pain, labeled a chronic pain patient, and offered more injections that never work. I've learned so much about the medical field over the years! Just within the last year they figured out what the problem is and it was visible on every MRI I had over the years but was an incidental finding so it was ignored. Now I'm pretty much bedridden and fighting with insurance because they denied the surgery that I need. Sorry for venting! Anyway, right now the team of doctors I have are great but I still need to find a good neurologist. My doctors say they can't even suggest a good one in the area. Reading the reviews and looking a bunch of them up, I believe the doctors are telling me the truth. I have an appt. on Tues. with one so I have my fingers crossed! So happy to hear that you have finally found relief. Trust me, I understand the struggle getting there!

@qball2019
I know your pain. Although I was never bedridden, I was pretty much housebound because walking was just too painful. I barely walked for 2 years.
I also understand about overlooking. I asked my last pain doc about that. At that time, my 'conditionS' were not so bad, but the pain was (and I tolerate pain pretty well and I don't take pain meds on any regular basis). He explained what I guess I already knew...put a group of people together with the exact same test results and each person react differently and across the board; no pain or reaction to so much pain the person needs to go to the hospital.
If you don't mind me asking, where do you live that you can't find a good neurologist?
You can look for a neurosurgeon, too.
If you do continue to look, search for one with experience in your condition. Also, there are orthopaedic surgeons that do spine surgeries, although MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE HAS BEEN FOR A NEUROSURGEON.
Goid luck with your appointment and let us know how it goes!!!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@qball2019 Keeping you in my prayers for tomorrow. My mom had awful, long term pain and I understand the venting. And, more importantly, need for relief!

@grandmar
I guess I shouldn't have said bedridden but pretty close. I basically just go back & forth to the bathroom. I only leave the house to go to Dr. appts. I can't stand long enough to cook anything or do anything and I'm having low pressure headaches (caused by the spinal fluid filling the cysts up & not leaving enough for the brain) that keep me from doing the most simple things. It's so frustrating!

I live in Northeastern WI. There are a bunch of neurologists around. I don't understand why a good one is so hard to find. Every doctor or other medical professional I've asked either tells me they have no good recommendations or have no idea. The couple good ones I found are booked out like 3-4 months!! I've been looking for a decent neurologist for quite a while. I already have a neurosurgeon. He is in Dallas, TX & he is the best. There are only several neurosurgeons in the U.S. that specialize in what I have. It's a touchy surgery. I really need the surgery done but my insurance is denying it. We are in the process of filing a grievance. Truthfully I think there are a lot more people that are called "chronic pain patients" that have the same thing.. I have multiple Tarlov cysts in my sacral area that are now pushing on the cauda equina (nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord) They also found a tehered cord which pulls on my spinal cord and makes it impossible to bend over lower than my knees and it's very hard to try to stand up straight. I can't stress enough how important it is to advocate for yourself!