Lumbar nerve ablation

Posted by wendyhobbie @wendyhobbie, May 6, 2024

Stanford pain management suggested Neurostimulator device implant and I’m not ready for that. My new doctors that did their residencies at Mayo in Rochester gave me an EMG and are going to be giving me two tests to see if a nerve ablation will resolve the pain from my lumbar down.
Has anyone else had success?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

Profile picture for domiha @domiha

@joycelen At one point, I was considering the nerve ablation, but then my pain in my neck and my lumbar seemed to lessen, so I have put it off for now. I have talked to some people who have had great success from it.... and a few who said it didn't change much. Each of us reacts differently, I suppose. I'm not sure about sedation, but I'm sure you will be well taken care of when you have your ablation. And I am also sure that the doctors KNOW that probably most of their patients are very nervous about the procedure, especially the first time. If the doctor does not use light sedation, perhaps they could give you something like valium or xanax to take beforehand just to help calm your anxiety during the procedure. I wish you all the best. And I do HOPE you will come back and post afterwards to let us know how it went!!! Sharing your experience could be so helpful to the rest of us. Mike

Jump to this post

@domiha thank you! It was much easier than I thought. He said to give it two weeks and I am close to that point. In many ways it has lessened the pain. But since my spine is very complex, it does not take all the pain away. I am still thankful for the improvement. I did not have sedation.

REPLY

AT one point in my treatment, I had nerve ablation and had good results sometimes 6-9 months.

REPLY

I’ve had two and couldn’t be happier. I dread having another fusion so this procedure gave me great relief.
Good luck!

REPLY

Had nerve ablation on left lower back a year ago. Worked like a charm and was pain free for a year. Just had another one in same location. However, now I’m in immense pain in right lower back and awaiting MRI results. I can barely walk and using a cane to get around. This is very disturbing.

REPLY
Profile picture for janrose123 @janrose123

Had nerve ablation on left lower back a year ago. Worked like a charm and was pain free for a year. Just had another one in same location. However, now I’m in immense pain in right lower back and awaiting MRI results. I can barely walk and using a cane to get around. This is very disturbing.

Jump to this post

REPLY
Profile picture for sandyg67 @sandyg67

I’ve had two and couldn’t be happier. I dread having another fusion so this procedure gave me great relief.
Good luck!

Jump to this post

@sandyg67, thank you. Pain Mgmt specialist diagnosed it as an inflamed sacroiliac joint. Scheduled for a cortisone shot tomorrow evening.

REPLY
Profile picture for janrose123 @janrose123

@sandyg67, thank you. Pain Mgmt specialist diagnosed it as an inflamed sacroiliac joint. Scheduled for a cortisone shot tomorrow evening.

Jump to this post

@janrose123
Cortisone injections aren’t that bad. Hopefully you get some relief.
Good luck!

REPLY
Profile picture for janrose123 @janrose123

Had nerve ablation on left lower back a year ago. Worked like a charm and was pain free for a year. Just had another one in same location. However, now I’m in immense pain in right lower back and awaiting MRI results. I can barely walk and using a cane to get around. This is very disturbing.

Jump to this post

@janrose123 Have sympathy with this as I had nerve ablation left side and right side of L2,3,4. First last year in Oct and this year Feb.
The effect is wearing off and I need another ablation done at the hospital pain clinic. I’m seeing my family doctor soon to renew the morphine which I only take 2 daily. But it means I take Tylenol during the day with moderate success.
I will send this link about another pain relief medication used for elderly. I am 77 and would be grateful for help as my quality of life is absolutely awful.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2682375/

REPLY
Profile picture for msmcecelia @msmcecelia

@janrose123 Have sympathy with this as I had nerve ablation left side and right side of L2,3,4. First last year in Oct and this year Feb.
The effect is wearing off and I need another ablation done at the hospital pain clinic. I’m seeing my family doctor soon to renew the morphine which I only take 2 daily. But it means I take Tylenol during the day with moderate success.
I will send this link about another pain relief medication used for elderly. I am 77 and would be grateful for help as my quality of life is absolutely awful.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2682375/

Jump to this post

@msmcecelia - I'm really sorry you're feeling as though your quality of life is awful.

Have you had any success in getting another appointment for an ablation? When will you see the family doctor who prescribed your medication?

REPLY

How long does it take before I experience some relief from my spinal lumbar ablation? It's been 10 days, and so far not a lot of relief.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.