Having my Lumbar Facet Neurotomy tomorrow a.m.

[KBear]

CL- I'm sorry you are feeling down in the dumps and still hurting. I second the idea of taking someone with you. I have a friend of mine that goes with me for almost every appointment. She will speak up for me and tell the doctor what I go through, my limitations and pain levels. This has helped tremendously when I have been in lots of pain and needed more medication, as it seems the dr's listen to an outside person more.

[Justin]

Hi CL,

I'm sorry that you are still experiencing pain. A few questions for you:

• I can't remember, but did you have diagnostic facet injections prior to the rhizotomy?
• Is your fentanyl patch providing any relief?
• If you're up to it: will you describe your pain in detail?
• Has your pain increased since your SI joint fusion?

I hope that you start feeling relief soon.

[Cindylou]

Yes, Justin, in answer to your question: I had several diagnostic blocks before the cauterization. And got great relief for about 5-6 hours. I really don't feel that my patch is providing any relief. I think this is a different pain from my SI joint pain. In detail: my pain runs across my whole lower back and it feels like a knife is just slicing across there. Sometimes, at bedtime, it becomes a fiery, throbbing pain. It feels like a crushing pain too. Then, as secondary pain, my middle back locks up completely in spasm. I still cannot stand for 5 minutes in place. It absolutely sends me over the top. Even upon waking, it is there. It never lets up. I get some relief sitting in my Relax the Back chair, hence why I want to never leave it. And I get some relief hanging in suspension from a noodle in the deep end of the therapy pool. I can't stand sitting in a hard chair or a stool with no back. No way. I am running real low on positive vibes. My tank is very close to empty. I desperately need a turn of events to keep going.

[Justin]

Yes, Justin, in answer to your question: I had several diagnostic blocks before the cauterization. And got great relief for about 5-6 hours. I really don't feel that my patch is providing any relief.

I thought you had several diagnostic blocks. The great thing about Fentanyl is that since it is a patch the narcotic avoids first-pass metabolism so that more drug is available to provide more relief. Maybe your pain is more neuropathic in nature, in which a neuropathic medication would better suit your needs.

I think this is a different pain from my SI joint pain. In detail: my pain runs across my whole lower back and it feels like a knife is just slicing across there. Sometimes, at bedtime, it becomes a fiery, throbbing pain. It feels like a crushing pain too. Then, as secondary pain, my middle back locks up completely in spasm. I still cannot stand for 5 minutes in place. It absolutely sends me over the top. Even upon waking, it is there. It never lets up. I get some relief sitting in my Relax the Back chair, hence why I want to never leave it. And I get some relief hanging in suspension from a noodle in the deep end of the therapy pool. I can't stand sitting in a hard chair or a stool with no back. No way. I am running real low on positive vibes. My tank is very close to empty. I desperately need a turn of events to keep going.

I'm so sorry that you are experiencing a lot of pain. With the middle back symptoms, a massage would definitely help break up that fibrotic and chronically-irritated tissue.

It sounds like you need to explain what's going on with your pain to your pain management physician, especially if the Fentanyl is not working. The opioids don't sound like they are helping in your situation. It might be best to discuss changes in your medications including higher doses of neuropathic medications with doctor since the opioids are not working.

Good luck and hang in there. Pain relief is usually a mix of medications, physical activity (therapy), and often rewiring the way we think about our pain.

[KBear]

CL- I know it doesn't feel like it now, but it will get better. I'm sending hugs your way!

[Cindylou]

Thank-you all. I posted more about my RFA in the pain management forum, fyi.

[Katie]

I wish I could reach out and provide a source of healing for you. This has gone on far too long, and is not progressing as it should.

Try to hang in there, as feeble as that sounds.