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kelly25 Posts: 3
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I am 25 and a mother to 2 small kids and have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the sacroiliac joint. I have done a variety of things from physical therapy, chiropractor, acupunture, medication, cortisone injections and electrode therapy without amy relief that lasted more than 1 1/2 months. Now I am being told by my doctor that I should get a rhizotomy eventhough there is only a 50% success rate. Has anybody had one and had good or bad results? I need information to help me make my decision about doing it. I have to do something and am desperate, I want to live my life and be able to do things with my husband and kids.
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fluffyluggage Posts: 4723
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Hey Kelly, I haven't had this done, but I suspect that the reason it's successful only 50% of the time is that nerves can often regrow themselves, that's part of the wonder of our bodies. Are you familiar with what the procedure actually does? I think, based on looking at it, if you tend to look at the glass half full, I'd probably do it if it were me, just because I might be that 50%. Mainly, if I know I'd tried everything, and this gave me even a 50% chance of being without pain even for a significant amount of time, I'd probably go ahead with it, unless I knew of major side effects. It looks like there couldn't be too many side effects worse than how you're already feeling, but of course, you have to make the decision yourself. Let's leave the discussion open for several days and see if anyone responds who's had it done. Some people heal better than others, so some people will have nerve endings grow back more quickly, etc. If no one else responds, perhaps we can find more info online that can help you better make a decision? Welcome to the forum! *hugs* Jen  Just because it's impossible doesn't mean it can't happen.
I'm not a doc, so anything I say is my opinion only. Nothing I say is meant as offense, I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else with do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Perhaps I truly am insane for expecting these docs to listen to me when I say the same things repeatedly to no avail? LOL. I am tired of seeking out new docs and getting the same result time and again...Forgive me if I seem bitter some days.
Something has changed within me/Something is not the same/I'm through with playing by/The rules of someone else's game/Too late for second-guessing/Too late to go back to sleep/It's time to trust my instincts/Close my eyes and leap...I'm through accepting limits/Cuz someone says they're so/Some things I can not change/But till I try I'll never know/Too long I've been afraid of/Losing love I guess I lost/Well if that's love/It comes at much too high a cost/I'd sooner buy Defying Gravity/Kiss me good-bye I'm Defying Gravity/I think I'll try Defying Gravity/And you won't bring me down...
--Defying Gravity (Glee Cast version) |
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Tootsieluu  Posts: 89
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Kelly, I too am facing the rhizotomy choice. I haven't noticed any responses.  I would also like to hear from those who have had the procedure. TOotS |
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BetsyFab Posts: 3
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Hi kelly25. I am a 32 y.o. mother of one. I've had many rhizotomies over the past two years. When I was offered to have a rhizotomy from my pain management doctor, I took it. I guess when you live in pain you'll do anything to get as close to normal as possible. I've done all the same treatments that you've done as well. When you have this procedure done, it's only temporary since your nerves regrow and repair themselves eventually. Depending on your own body, they can last anywhere from 3-6 months. This is for facet nerve rhizotomy/radiofrequency ablation. There are a few different types of rhizotomies. The kind that I am talking about is done using a needle and then is heated to "burn" the nerves. The procedure is usually done with a local or a mild sedative because they need to be able to communicate with you when they "test" the nerve to make sure the needle is in the correct spot. You should feel pressure or a feeling like a tens unit gives. The doctor will then ask if you feel it in ONLY a certain area. If you feel it besides the area described by your doc, you need to say so so they can reposition the needle. Once the right spot is found, they switch out the endcap of the needle apparatus to burn the nerve. You may feel pressure, but it shouldn't be painful. In my opinion, getting the local and the needle positioned hurts more. As for my results, they usually are pretty good. In my own experience, the next 2-3 days after the procedure I have more pain, but this can be a side-effect. The only analogy I can use to describe it is like when a lizards tail gets cut off, but the tail is still moving. There's a left over build up of signals that are still flickering, but haven't figured out what to do. Usually about a week after my procedure (just had one done on Monday), I feel better. I am slow to recover from anything, but everyone heals differently. I hope this helps in any way possible. |
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Tootsieluu Posts: 89
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Hello BetsyFab___Thank you so much for the information. I am going to my pain doc tomorrow and feel confident in my decision...thanks to some help from you. I love the lizard analogy! Thanks again. TOotS |
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fluffyluggage Posts: 4723
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Thanks BetsyFab for the response, and welcome to the forum! I know that Tootsieluu and Kelly were really concerned and wanted some info from someone who's had the procedure. A friend of mine has used a similar procedure for migraines, and she has had her nerves regrow repeatedly, too. In vet medicine, we do a similar procedure for cats' nails instead of doing an actual declaw, and often the nerves regrow again as well. Sometimes, they don't in both cases, but again, we're such dynamic creatures, aren't we? Thanks for such a personal response, and I'm glad you've been feeling better, thanks to the procedure! *hugs* jen Just because it's impossible doesn't mean it can't happen.
I'm not a doc, so anything I say is my opinion only. Nothing I say is meant as offense, I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else with do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Perhaps I truly am insane for expecting these docs to listen to me when I say the same things repeatedly to no avail? LOL. I am tired of seeking out new docs and getting the same result time and again...Forgive me if I seem bitter some days.
Something has changed within me/Something is not the same/I'm through with playing by/The rules of someone else's game/Too late for second-guessing/Too late to go back to sleep/It's time to trust my instincts/Close my eyes and leap...I'm through accepting limits/Cuz someone says they're so/Some things I can not change/But till I try I'll never know/Too long I've been afraid of/Losing love I guess I lost/Well if that's love/It comes at much too high a cost/I'd sooner buy Defying Gravity/Kiss me good-bye I'm Defying Gravity/I think I'll try Defying Gravity/And you won't bring me down...
--Defying Gravity (Glee Cast version) |
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BetsyFab Posts: 3
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Hi! Thank you for the welcome. I hope I can help if anyone has questions. I've had so many varied procedures done, I almost feel like a dictionary for pain info! I've also had MUA's (Manipulation Under Anesthia). I have so many diagnoses; osteoarthritis, lordosis, degenerative disc disease, dextroscoliosis, etc. Even though I'm still doing the rhizotomies, I'm still looking for something more permanent for pain. If you know of anything, please let me know! BetsyFab |
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fluffyluggage Posts: 4723
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I wish I could suggest something more permenent, BetsyFab. But unfortunately, for now, I can't. However, we can be hopeful, since there are always good advances in medicine! *hugs* jen Just because it's impossible doesn't mean it can't happen.
I'm not a doc, so anything I say is my opinion only. Nothing I say is meant as offense, I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else with do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Perhaps I truly am insane for expecting these docs to listen to me when I say the same things repeatedly to no avail? LOL. I am tired of seeking out new docs and getting the same result time and again...Forgive me if I seem bitter some days.
Something has changed within me/Something is not the same/I'm through with playing by/The rules of someone else's game/Too late for second-guessing/Too late to go back to sleep/It's time to trust my instincts/Close my eyes and leap...I'm through accepting limits/Cuz someone says they're so/Some things I can not change/But till I try I'll never know/Too long I've been afraid of/Losing love I guess I lost/Well if that's love/It comes at much too high a cost/I'd sooner buy Defying Gravity/Kiss me good-bye I'm Defying Gravity/I think I'll try Defying Gravity/And you won't bring me down...
--Defying Gravity (Glee Cast version) |
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