Anyone had an ablation for lower back pain

Posted by natrele @natrele, Apr 12 2:24pm

I’ve had low back pain for 2 years. Pain injections did no good. Any good results with ablation

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I’ve done ablation periodically over 25 years. It absolutely helped. The first time it lasted 15 years. However, what the ablation in my spinal facet joints resolved was the referred pain that went around the front of my thighs and down my legs. In my case, I had stenosis and I have degenerative disc condition and the ablation helped with the referred pain. Over the 25 years that I had back pain, the ablation was not used to cure lumbar back pain itself — for lumbar back pain itself. Surgery was necessary at L3 L4 L5. I was super happy with my lumbar surgery, which was very extensive by the time they got me in there.

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@ch47

I have had chronic spine, neck and sacrum pain for 15 or more years. Increasing. Also have severe scoliosis, good news I have so many huge curves it evens out, I’m just a lot shorter than I should be. 6-8”. But I have long legs and with the right clothes its all great, except for the pain.
Is your unit sort of quiet and kind of don’t know it’s there? Read that some have a vibration or something that didn’t sound appealing
Thanks for sharing!

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You can’t hear a thing.
There are 4 settings on a remote for the stimulator.
3 you can actually feel the vibration in your back and legs. Depending on your issues the representative will program it to give you the best results. Over time it may need to be adjusted.
I actually like feeling the vibration and I use that setting during the day. For sleeping I use the one you can’t feel.
It’s been life changing after over 4 decades of chronic pain. Had to go through 3 surgeries, every type of injection, 3 years of ablations that provided minimal relief before I was offered the stimulator.

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@flyjim

You can’t hear a thing.
There are 4 settings on a remote for the stimulator.
3 you can actually feel the vibration in your back and legs. Depending on your issues the representative will program it to give you the best results. Over time it may need to be adjusted.
I actually like feeling the vibration and I use that setting during the day. For sleeping I use the one you can’t feel.
It’s been life changing after over 4 decades of chronic pain. Had to go through 3 surgeries, every type of injection, 3 years of ablations that provided minimal relief before I was offered the stimulator.

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Relief! Not sure how that would be…😂 thank you for sharing
Still in the research mode
But any info I can get helps

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I just had my ablation done. It wasn't as painful as I expected. The most pain was from the numbing injections. I had 6 nerves burned, so now I wait to see if it worked. Thanks for everyone's support.

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@besmith57

I just had my ablation done. It wasn't as painful as I expected. The most pain was from the numbing injections. I had 6 nerves burned, so now I wait to see if it worked. Thanks for everyone's support.

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Please let us know!

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Will do. Right now it hurts pretty bad, but I think that's to be expected.

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@ch47

It felt a tiny ouchie doing it, but nothing compared to when the pain gets cooking. It can take up to two weeks or more for some relief, or sooner, but if the numbing process makes it feel good for even a couple hours, that is already a possible good sign.
Let us know how you do-will say a prayer for positive outcome!

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I had my ablation this morning. Right now, my back is killing me. Does that maybe mean it's not going to work? I'm not sure I got even a couple hours of pain relief. I know it takes time to work.

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@besmith57

I had my ablation this morning. Right now, my back is killing me. Does that maybe mean it's not going to work? I'm not sure I got even a couple hours of pain relief. I know it takes time to work.

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Mine always hurts worse after…skin, muscles probed and needled and nerves zapped. Possibly near bones. Will take some time…hope it felt better before the anesthesia wore off? 🙏Might/could be only a couple weeks until that stuff heals up before the rest kicks in. My doctor plans for a month follow up. Yours?
How was the initial bit?
Wonderful pain reliever is a non greasy gel, called DuLac, 98% arnica. Buy on Amazon. No nsaid stuff.
If you can take them, Tylenol and some ice could help for now. 🤞
Did your doctor recommend anything else?
I see my doc next week and will talk about another area.
I hope you feel better soon, in all ways

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@ch47

Mine always hurts worse after…skin, muscles probed and needled and nerves zapped. Possibly near bones. Will take some time…hope it felt better before the anesthesia wore off? 🙏Might/could be only a couple weeks until that stuff heals up before the rest kicks in. My doctor plans for a month follow up. Yours?
How was the initial bit?
Wonderful pain reliever is a non greasy gel, called DuLac, 98% arnica. Buy on Amazon. No nsaid stuff.
If you can take them, Tylenol and some ice could help for now. 🤞
Did your doctor recommend anything else?
I see my doc next week and will talk about another area.
I hope you feel better soon, in all ways

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Thank you for letting me know it's normal. I think I had some relief initially but I was quite dizzy from the Valium. I took ibuprofen when I got home and then napped. I have ice on it now. He wants to see me in 6 weeks with his NP. I already have an appointment with her in 2 weeks so I think I will keep that appointment. The dr just recommended ice and ibuprofen. I really appreciate your advice. Thanks

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@besmith57

Thank you for letting me know it's normal. I think I had some relief initially but I was quite dizzy from the Valium. I took ibuprofen when I got home and then napped. I have ice on it now. He wants to see me in 6 weeks with his NP. I already have an appointment with her in 2 weeks so I think I will keep that appointment. The dr just recommended ice and ibuprofen. I really appreciate your advice. Thanks

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Knowing normal is a big help!
I didn’t realize why it’s normal until after several treatments, some different where he roughs up the bone with his needle to get medicine to bring blood, stuff to help healing. Doesn’t hurt when doing it, but after…😝 not ablation though. Take care of yourself and be positive for your healing!
Keep in touch 💐

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