Thread by @4evr_Optimistic

Hello all,

Yesterday I had a procedure called Radio Frequency Ablation ( #RFA ) which burned the nerve endings in my back. I have several disc herniations in my L5-S1 region as well as bilateral radiculopathy (sciatica due to pinched nerves).

#Pain #Sciatica #Herniation

(1X)

I’ve had 5 procedures over the past 7 months. I first tried 3 epidurals which were supposed to alleviate my pain.. that did not work for me.

My doctor then suggested RFA. In order to do this, he had to perform 2 test procedures.

(2X)

The first procedure was a temporary nerve block into the facet joins. He injected an anesthetic & steroid. There is a 2-10 hour window you have to see if it helps. Since it did, he performed the same procedure again, but used different meds.

(3X)

Both procedures worked.. but only for a day. Then the pain came roaring back. After a few weeks, I was finally approved and I just had the RFA yesterday & am in a lot of pain. I wanted to share my story for those who are contemplating having this procedure done.

(4X)

While you’re knocked out, the doctor performs a series of tests to make sure he’s not burning the wrong nerves. He does this by shooting electricity through each nerve in the area. If your leg twitches, he knows not to burn that one.

(5X)

The entire procedure took about 40 minutes to complete. He burned the nerve endings near my disc herniation & sent me home. I was still out of it from the anesthesia & was getting my family members names mixed up on the car ride home. lol

(6X)

I was told that I might have pain in my back that some liken to a sunburn. I didn’t really experience that.. was just really sore. Most of my pain came within the first 5 hours. I started getting shooting pain from my butt down to my ankles.

(7X)

I’ve suffered from really bad sciatica for years.. so you can imagine the pain I’m experiencing after someone shot electricity through those nerves. I was expecting to be sore.. but never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be in this much pain.

(8X)

I don’t want to scare anyone off from having this procedure done. In just over 24 hours, I‘ve noticed a difference. I usually have really bad pain in my back.. but I have not felt that today. I just feel sore aches & pains near the injection sites.

(9X)

I have spoken to my doctor several times today & was reassured the leg pain will go away soon. I hope that is the case as this is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my life.

I will update this thread as I to heal.
Day 2 sucks.. hopefully day 3 will be less painful.

(10X)

Day 3

The injection site doesn’t feel as sore & my normal back pain isn’t there.

I’m still having really bad sciatica pain which is now shooting from my hips to my ankles. On a scale of 1-10 I’m at a 9. I spoke to my doctor again & was told this will go away soon. Grrr

(11X)

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