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Experience with Radio Frequency Ablation procedures?

Spine Health | Last Active: Dec 29, 2022 | Replies (97)

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@irr4et

Geez. I’m considering v having Occipital Nerve RF Ablation Rt now but they insist on doing the Lidocaine injection test first to determine if RFA will relieve the nerve pain. And “so they know the exact place’”. The problem is - every time I have a lidocaine injection it scalds the nerve and area tissues which greatly increases the pain. Should I do this injection? I would appreciate your advice.

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Replies to "Geez. I’m considering v having Occipital Nerve RF Ablation Rt now but they insist on doing..."

@irr4et Hello there. I hear you loud and clear on this because I've been in the same position. I received RFA's for 2 years on both right and left occipitals, in addition to cervical. At first I thought I found relief, enough to keep going back, but ultimately all I felt was increased pain. It was later narrowed down that I have Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS) which is a chronic pain disorder caused by an upregulation of the central nervous system resulting in hypersensitivity to stimuli. Here is more info on CSS:

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJNhdnSK3WQ

Nerve blocks should be done first to assist in determining if quieting the nerves helps bring comfort. If you have pain from lidocaine injections I would say do not go forward with the procedure. You yourself said, "it scalds the nerve and area tissues which greatly increased pain". I was a glutton for punishment and learned the hard way by persisting and putting my body through so much unnecessary pain in hopes of finding pain relief. It was counterproductive. For some, it may work, but its most important to listen to your body.

Many people suffer from CSS, but have never heard of it or been educated about it. Doctors do not often have knowledge of CSS. Will you get back to me after watching the video on whether it resonates with you?