Facet Joint Injections - Anyone had success?

@grandmar
My appointment with the neurologist was alright. He was not rude, he let me ask questions, etc. too. Everyone, including 2 different doctors and his reviews scared the crap out of me. He was nice but it was a dead end appointment. So I have nerve stuff going on in my shoulders, hands, lips, the low pressure headache, thoracic spine, hips, sacral, sciatic, tethered cord, bladder, bowels, etc. Seems very odd to me that he said it wasn't his profession (being a neurologist) and pointed me toward pain management and a neurosurgeon. I have already been turned away from the same place by neurology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics saying they couldn't do anything to help me. My PCP set it up and purposely didn't mention that I was turned away by his colleagues. I already see pain management and had to explain that the other doctors turned me away. Sounds like he was going to talk to them. He said that way I wouldn't have to go all the way to Dallas, TX for surgery. There's no way I would go to someone else that doesn't specialize in the kind of cysts that I have considering how touchy the surgery is. I don't know, I guess I'm left a bit confused about who you go see when you have nerve issues and yes, I'm being sarcastic. LOL Anyone else have any input?

@qball2019
Good Morning!
So sorry the appointment did not go well.
Why did they scare you?
Too many diagnoses?
I agree that you need to see someone who is proficient in dealing with the condition you have.
As far as I know, the neurologist will do testing of the nerves and give meds (if needed) to deal with that specific issue.
The neurosurgeon will only deal with what can be fixed with surgery.
My neurosurgeon has send me to other docs, too.
I know orthopedist docs/surgeons will deal with these problems, but I PERSONALLY wanted only a neurosurgeon...
PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

I had/have some of the symptoms you have...
*low pressure headaches (surgery on C5/6 pretty much did away with those, get them very once in a while rather than daily)
*thoratic spine (There is an issue there, but it is not causing me pain so I am optin not to do anything at this time.We only found it while looking for something else).
*hips (My newest issue. We think it might be caused by the way I am walking. I use a cane on my left side to support my right side which has neuropathy. If the pain continues or get worse, I will double check that with my orthopedist.).
*Sacral/sciatic (I do not have issues with the sacral. I used to have issues with sciatica. I saw a chiroprator for that. I no longer have an issue with it. Could it be from the surgery? I don't know???).
*Bladder/bowel (I do not have those issues, either. I do know that when you have certain back/spinal issues, those can become an issue, too. I think it is caused by Spondolosis, or something like that???).

Guess what I am trying to say is not to be so scared. Things can be dealt with, possibly one at a time.
I wish you the very best of luck!

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@shellsk24 Welcome to connect I have had upper and lower back problems for years. I have had injections into my lumbar and sacrum At first the injections lasted about every 4 months but the last year Id say they are more frequently done . I just had my sacrum injection about a month ago from a new pain Dr. so far it is holding me . But now just today have had a series of upper back injections about 6 of them It hasn't helped as tonight my upper back by bra line is tired and painful. I did ask the Dr. for a Lidocaine patch the 5% did help me before . All this started from a back fracture so don't get one Now its bulging disc, degenerative disease and fusion of L1S5 of the joy of getting old

I hope injections will help.

@grandmar Maybe today it will be better usually its by afternoon I start to hurt . Thanks hope it will help Have a good day

I hope so.
I remember being in terrible pain for a few hours after the shot.
The following day was usually great!

Best wishes!

@grandmar Today my back does feel better guess it just to time to heal the soreness. I was out today as usual and came home didn't have to lie down to rest back.

@lioness I would always use ice on the area of the injection. And usually felt much better the next day. I've given up on the injections after three back surgeries. My neurosurgeon moved so now I need to find a new one. And no one will take me until I have a current MRI.

@pines Thanks for the ice tip I use it most of times and heat at others. My back feels better as I did last night. The last time I saw a neurosurgeron for a bulging disc he did nothing and I had my MRI to show him . I never had back surgery . I probably should as I have nerve entrapment but so far am able to handle it . Have a good day

I had some relief with the facet joint injections with a numbing agent. Will now be have a rhizotomy in the near future.