Spinal stenosis and ablations

Posted by kris27 @kris27, Aug 15, 2023

Hello, I have been having ablations for years with good luck but lately they are not lasting as long and they are not relieving as much pain. Have any of you experienced this? If so, what else have you tried besides surgery?
Thank you
Kris

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krgquinlan | @krgquinlan | Jul 9, 2024

In reply to @clippertwo "Can someone please tell me what an ablation is and how it works?" + (show)

I had my RFA ablation 7 days ago. They use radio frequency and heat to cauterize the area your pain is coming from. I wasn't completely out. But I did have enough anesthesia that I do not remember the procedure. I was versed and fentanyl. My doctor was super and made sure I was under enough before he started. I have the other side done in a week.

melby6069 | @melby6069 | Jul 9, 2024

In reply to @krgquinlan "I'm scheduled for ablation for my lower back L4-5 S1. I have severe spinal stenosis. I'm..." + (show)

I just want this pain pump out of me!! I've only had it about 3 1/2 weeks and it has been a nightmare. It is pinching a nerve somewhere, and my lower back hurts now. I have a serious pain in my hip and leg on the side the pump is on when I bend over and stand back up. The pump itself is placed under the skin on my left side near the area of my kidney on my left side. I know my doctor doesn't want to, but I want it out of me!! I want to be the one in control of my body!

Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | Jul 10, 2024

In reply to @melby6069 "I just want this pain pump out of me!! I've only had it about 3 1/2..." + (show)

@melby6069 - Unfortunately, frustration is a part of spinal pain management. You will do well to manage your frustration as you periodically will lose full control over your own body. The feeling is, "Why can't I just be the way I used to be?" 100% understandable feeling.

Sorry you're having this challenging experience. Keep a positive attitude and keep focusing on positive outcomes.

ichbindck | @ichbindck | Jul 10, 2024

In reply to @krgquinlan "I'm scheduled for ablation for my lower back L4-5 S1. I have severe spinal stenosis. I'm..." + (show)

I am 81 yo male with spinal Stenosis. Had epidural and ablation. Both helped but only for about 2 weeks. Have tried every non opioid pain killer known and they help but side effects a real problem. Even tried CBD but no help. I use Gabapentin 300mg at night and helps but can't take during days since it makes me very dizzy

ichbindck | @ichbindck | Jul 10, 2024

In reply to @megc "I had my lumbar ablation yesterday and as soon as the IV medication wore off, I..." + (show)

I felt relief within hours but only lasted a week. The branciall nerves grow back so this is not a long lasting solution

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 10, 2024

In reply to @tdstaley "I had ablation performed in 2022…L4/5 area. This was the last treatment prior to fusion in..." + (show)

@tdstaley Welcome to Connect and thank you for sharing valuable experience. How has your recovery been since your lumbar spinal fusion?

Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Jul 10, 2024

In reply to @megc "I’m having a lumbar ablation today and was wondering if those who have had one can..." + (show)

Hello @megc, I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled, "Ablation for lower back pain L4-5 S1" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ablation-for-lower-back-pain-l4-5-s1/, so that you could meet the many members discussing lumbar ablation.

clippertwo | @clippertwo | Jul 10, 2024

In reply to @krgquinlan "I had my RFA ablation 7 days ago. They use radio frequency and heat to cauterize..." + (show)

Good Luck with your next procedure ! Thank you for answering my question ! I have had 2 back surgeries . One was on L 4&5 and the other was done on L5&6! The last time I saw my surgeon was about 8-9 months ago! He said that he could not do any thing for me at that time! My last back surgery was over 10 years ago ! Any more I cannot walk hardly any more than 25 - 30 feet without my left back , hip , and leg hurting like Heck ! I had never heard of an ablation being done on the spine before!

udougy | @udougy | Jul 11, 2024

In reply to @melby6069 "I just want this pain pump out of me!! I've only had it about 3 1/2..." + (show)

We can go to the moon, artificial intelligence anything, replace livers, hearts, kidneys, why can't they be more precise on the spine? More R&D and get some engineers involved. I've been telling all doctors this for years. I say, "give this problem to an engineer and he/she will have an answer in a month, medical just have to make it work". I received an injection five months ago and it relieved my pain from spinal stenosis, back again, and I will go for another. A bandaid at best. I feel your pain, keep pressing, get another opinion, hound them! I will not have an operation/procedure until i feel know they are 98% successful.

ginnyjm | @ginnyjm | Jul 12, 2024

In reply to @krgquinlan "I'm scheduled for ablation for my lower back L4-5 S1. I have severe spinal stenosis. I'm..." + (show)

I totally agree! My back issues started in 2011 & the injections helped until they didn’t in 2019. Traditional surgery’s not an option b/c I have CP & a curvature in my spine. Had the SCS in 2021, additional lead added, several adjustments & finally had the entire thing removed Feb 2024 b/c it never helped. The spine is a tremendously complex area to work on - I feel for our doctors who try their best, but also feel for us who need relief!