Having my Lumbar Facet Neurotomy tomorrow a.m.

[daveinaustin]

Good luck with the recovery! I look forward to hear how things go over the next few days!

-Dave

[Katie]

Cindylou, I am so sorry that I didn't see this sooner. But it sounds like my prayers weren't needed anyway . The procedure sounds like it's a success, and I will pray that your pain lessens daily.

I'm so glad that they have topped up your pain meds, and that you are more comfortable. Hang in there girl!

[Justin]

CL, I'm so happy that you are feeling relief after your lumbar facet rhizotomy!

[Cindylou]

Thank you guys for all the well wishes. I appreciate it so much. I have to say my pain from the RFA is not nearly as debilitating as I anticipated it to be. That is really good news. I got out yesterday for the first time, and probably ran 1 too many errands, because all of a sudden I went uh-oh, I'm starting to hurt pretty bad again. Dropped what I was doing, headed straight home to an ice pack and some break through meds. All in all, I only made 3 stops, but that was plenty it seemed. I am so afraid to get my hopes up too much, so I am just going to take it one day at a time. And will report back that way. Day 2: Pretty darn good.

[Cindylou]

Boy, I could have sworn I entered another post about my RFA procedure a few days ago, but I don't see it. Are we still losing postings? Anyway, I thought I had started another one by saying: "maybe I spoke too soon," but nevertheless here is how things are now: Definitely, the pain kicked back in big time, by Friday evening I would say...so two days after the procedure. It still has not let up yet 6 days since I had the procedure done, but I keep hoping any day now the steroid will kick in. I know it can take awhile, so I'm not losing hope yet. It can take a couple weeks for the steroid to kick in, is my understanding. So I hope and pray that it does. And thank-you for all the well wishes and prayers too. You guys are all the best!

[Katie]

Hang in there sweetie. We're rooting for you.

[Cindylou]

Well, ole' mister doubt has been rearing his ugly head today and I am feeling a pit in my stomach that this radiofrequency ablation procedure is not going to take. It has been 8 days and no relief yet. Just seems like it should have started to work by now. I had a long talk with my pt yesterday and I just broke down. She doesn't think I am communicating clearly enough to pain management how much pain I am in. And she said she thinks I need to take my husband or another good friend in to my next appt. to advocate for me. Then today, I called the pain management clinic, as they were supposed to call me yesterday....one week after the procedure, but they didn't. And while I was talking to a nurse, I broke down again, which is so not like me. She wasn't any comfort. And basically said to just hang in there and wait for it to start to work. I told her that was easy for her to say, because she hadn't been in chronic pain for 8 years. And then I said, why aren't they managing my pain better so I can get on top of physical therapy? I am just very, very discouraged and depressed.

[linda]

CL,
I am so sorry your procedure has not "kicked in" yet and I know you are tired of them telling you to just hang in there. I was so hoping that you would be feeling better by now. Do you have another appt. scheduled soon? Also about the shortness of breath and hot flashses you had - do you think it could be from that patch? Anyway, I will be thinking about you and hope tomorrow brings you a better day.
Linda

[ajj1001]

She doesn't think I am communicating clearly enough to pain management how much pain I am in. And she said she thinks I need to take my husband or another good friend in to my next appt. to advocate for me

Such a good idea. I manage to appear "normal" on the outside as I do not want to be treated differently due to my pain. It does however mean that professionals do not see the truth. I write down how the pain feels and how it affects me both physically and psychologically. Doing a diary of how it affects and then sharing with the pain management doc would show how huge this problem is.

Hope that you are feeling better today. x

[Ruth]

Sorry you're not getting any relief yet from this facet procedure. Specialists only get a snapshot view of things in a short consultation. It's a good idea to take someone with you as it gives you moral support & helps to reinforce the points you make to the doc on the other side of the desk.

Every spine patient is different but I had a good amount of instantaneous relief when I had mine done eons ago. I was quite sore for a while though. I really hope they work for you but time will tell I guess I hope you have a follow up appointment soon to review the situation.

Keep on keeping on & take one day at a time. Hope you feel bit brighter tomorrow.

x