Cervical facet joint nerve ablation failure?

[Kokanee]

I am hoping that someone here has had an experience like mine or knows of a resource where something like this is referenced.

The short backgrounder is military, armoured vehicle collision, whiplash and diagnosed with "cervical facet joint syndrome" 2 years after the accident. I had a facet joint nerve block 2 months ago that was successful (for about 2 hours, then the pain came back so the steroid did'nt take). I am currently not able to work at all and structure my days around my medication intake.

Now, a week ago I had a cervical facet joint ablation on C3-7 on the right side. I was told that initially I would experience increased pain possibly for a few days afterward; it's now seven days later and although I did experience an increase in pain that I did not enjoy at all, I've now returned to my "level" from before the procedure.

I was led to believe that facet joint ablations are 100% a "sure thing" and that once they zap the nerve, that's it no more pain. The only scenario I am thinking is possible is that the "joint block" affected something other than my facet joint nerves, and that is what is causing the pain instead of the facet nerves.

So, quite a bit of a read my apologies, I'm just at my wits end after more than 2 years of having my life on hold.... I'm not going to ***** and moan because if anyone here is reading this, I will presume you've been there, done that. I am facing discharge from my military (Canadian) if my situation does not improve, and because of the health care system here I can go months between specialist appointments.

Any information is very much appreciated.

[KBear]

We have a couple of Canadians on here, who can chime in as far as your health care system. One of them, Katie, had to go out of country for her treatment. I would definitely look into out of country treatment if you are not getting anywhere in your system. I also had nerve ablation that did nothing for my pain and in the end that wasn't my pain problem. We completely get where you are, and how hard it is to live in day to day pain. I had 3 years before surgery and then another year of healing. I had just about no life during that time, didn't go places for fear of getting into pain or not being comfortable, etc. It is a hard place to be and hard to see an out. Saying that, though, I am finally on the other side, 4.5 years later. I'm having a baby, something I was told I would never be able to do post spine problems. I have very low pain levels, can do just about anything I want to do (I still don't do crazy or excessive stuff, as I don't want more back problems) and I have my life back. It can and will happen, just takes time. Get multiple opinions, do your research and then more research. Best of luck,
Kathy

[Kokanee]

Hi Kathy,

I've actually corresponded with Katie in the past; unfortunately I am fighting against a military medical establishment that is not prepared to deal with my kind of injury, and am being fobbed off on the Ontario Health system, where I have seen two separate neurologists, both who graduated before 1970 and both were so "out of touch" with advances that are common practice in other regions that I was severely disheartened.

I don't have the option to go out of country, and the military will not send me out of Canada either; I have to work within the system and hope to find a solution. Your thoughts are appreciated though.

[trkdoc714]

Kokanee,

Perhaps you could get your hands on your XRays/ MRIs to send to US and/ or European orthopaedic specialists. The cost can be free or minimal for more opinions. This could give you ammunition to battle the medical system or at least help them make an accurate diagnosis/ course of action.

I'd imagine a lot of US doctors would be happy to help. Most Americans are very appreciative of your service. I am.

You can find a great number of surgeons that have helped others on this forum.

Good luck to you and thanks again for your service and sacrifice,

Bob

[Cindylou]

Kokanee, I am sorry you are finding yourself in this position. I think Bob's suggestion is very good. Definitely consider doing that, at the very least for more ammunition within your healthcare system. I hope you find a way forward soon. Respectfully, Cindylou

[Kokanee]

Bob,

That is an excellent suggestion, I have copies of all my MRI reports and the actual scans on DVD as well. Thanks for the idea that should indeed give me some ammo to use. Although I have been advised that our Department of National Defence (DND) does not pay for "experimental/unapproved in Canada" treatments, I'm regrettably close to the "call the local TV station" route on this and that would indeed be a juicy headline "Soldier injured overseas, Canadian Forces refuses to pay for treatment"....

Of course, I value my career and the prospect of hopefully getting back on track, but if it's discharge then what do I have to lose...

I believe the Stenum hospital in Germany is the place for me, so I'll send my files off there.

Thanks again Bob.

[trkdoc714]

I didn't mean to suggest Stenum can cure all spinal issues. I only meant the expertise and experience they have can give gravity to your fight with the medical system.

I had success with Stenum but I don't want to come across as promoting them as the only source to repair your spine.

Today being today, I'd like to thank you again for your service. In light of all the political nonsense currently, we shouldn't forget what happened, why it happened and who it was and is that are preventing it from happening again.

Bob

[Kokanee]

Sorry Bob, I didn't take your post as such, a few months ago I began researching out of country facilities as a thought exercise/just in case; as I said I'm off work and have plenty of time for research. I've been able to deduce of my own volition that Stenum is a great place to start, but I certainly am always open to suggestions.

As for the latter half of your post, thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed my time overseas and would do it again in a heartbeat.

[Katie]

Kokanee, I was wondering how you've been doing, and hoping you'd had more success than I had with our system. I know at least one doctor here that you've visited....I'll say no more.

Just to put things in perspective...the last 'top surgeon' in London, ON who only deals with cervical issues told me early last winter that my neck was too dangerous to touch, that he would only do something if I was in a wheelchair, and at that point it probably wouldn't help much. I asked if any of his surgeries had gone really badly, and he said no, but he wasn't about to try with me.

When I relayed this to Dr. Pimenta in Brazil, he just laughed. He said my C5/6 was classic 'Spine Surgery 101', that any surgeon worth his salt could easily do this. While my condition was fairly poor, the surgery wasn't .....well, brain surgery . Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I'm 100% behind you on the media thing. If they want to play hardball, you can too. W5 is a good place to start too ( For the non-Canadians, it's a Canadian news expose show on the CBC...they often get results.) I've thought of doing something similar, but am not sure I'm finished fighting another way yet.

If I can be of any help, please ask. I've gone down just about every road there is here

[Katie]

Kokanee, did you take your on-line name after the BC beer, or the land-locked salmon by the same name that I used to fish ?