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back pain
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Hi, I’m new here, hope somebody could help me. I’ve been in HUGE pain for a long time. Tried lots of treatments. On Friday I had an appointment to this big shot pain management doctor. He explained that I have a problem in the facet joints (don’t really understand what that is?) and he recommended Rhizotomy which is a heated needle that kills the nerves ??? I would love to hear somebody’s experience with this treatment. |
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jdross43
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When I saw your post, I had to register so I could write back to you before you do anything. I would advise that Rhizotomy be postponed until you do the following: research the doctor's credentials and successes; hopefully you have tried nerve blocks which is how they can determine the proper place in facet joints that helps. I am post-Rhizotomy 4 weeks. I knew my pain may get worse before getting better; however, I developed total left-side of head numbness, stiffness, and pain, several days after the procedure. At my followup with the doctor, he says "sometimes this happens to some people, but not often." He sends me to PT, who can't do anything for this problem. The run-around begins. I am miserable. If I ever recover from this I will never, never do it again. I'd prefer surgery anyday. Hope this helps you. |
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back pain
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Hello jdross43, Thanks so much for your concern. I did have nerve blocks, and that’s when the doc recommended the rhizotomy. I did some research on the doctor (and I went to see a spinal surgeon). It seems that he is a specialist in radiofrequency treatments. Every person I ask has a strong opinion on which to do (surgery or Rhizotomy), and its about 50-50… I just want the pain to go away that’s all. Jdross43 – where did you have the rhizotomy done? Is it getting any better? I know that it would hurt me a lot in the first few days – my concern is for the future, will the pain go away? Thanks.
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calliekit
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My doctor recommended rhizotomy last week - that is why I was online to find out about it. I have had facet injections three times and they seem to work, but I'm really scared about this and especially after reading the response post. Any more information available? |
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jdross43
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 It's now 10/26 and I still have this horrible numbness and pain on the whole left side anrd back of my head. I am so mad at myself for doing the Rhizotomy; however, as you know, when you're hurting you will try anything. The saga continues. Now, in addition, my neck where the pain originally was has become painful again. Followup with doctor is Nov. 9. |
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mikg
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Hi everybody, I've heard so many thing about rhizotomy. From “saved my life” to “my biggest mistake”. To a non-medical human being the act of cutting spinal nerve roots, sound like a completely drastic action. Can you explain a little more what led you to this (pain and previous procedures) I’m really eager to understand more about it. |
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jdross43
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Hi there people in pain: What lead me to try Rhizotomy is that I had run out of all options, other than another c-spine surgery. The Rhizotomy did not work for me. In fact, I now have additional NEW pain/numbness complications in my head from the procedure. NEVER AGAIN. I did quite a bit of research in making my decision. Couldn't find any message boards at that time. Checking out the website for Spine Universe it sounded very encouraging. Of course, with any procedure dealing with the spine, you risk paralysis and/or other complications (I didn't think it would happen to me). It's my understanding that they don't cut any nerves, but that they "stun" them. I wish I had gotten the surgery I need, but I've had C, T, and L spinal surgeries in the last 10 years and my family is against me having anymore. Thus, the Rhizotomy. I still need surgery to file down the arthritic spurs pressing on spinal nerves and realign vertebrae which has slipped significantly in the last 4 years. Good luck in your efforts to find relief--I certainly feel bad for anyone going through the pain and the decisions to try to alieviate it.
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bill613
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For anyone visiting this forum, I have to tell you my story. I was a 22 year old male diagnosed with 2 herniated discs, stenosis and severe ddd which is disc disease ontop of sciatica. By 30 the doctors had recommended a spinal fusion. I knew that would change my life forever so i came accrossed a product called the system-loc lso. Its a lumbar orthosis and relieved my pain immediately. Thats right immediately.I strongly reccomend it and suggest you give this company a call Bracing Technologies at 732-778-7659. This product is covered by insurance and works great. Regards Bill |
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cabplus4
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Tried the Rhizotomy and it worked somewhat for me for 7 months. I now need another one. I am concerned about how many will be safe. have also been diagnosed with Neuropathy in my left leg that does NOT come from my back problems A lot of my pain seems to come from that left hip and I'm wondering if the back pain could have been misdiagnosed and it is really from my hip. Has anyone else had a similar experience? |
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Koko
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I'm glad I read newcomers letter, I am supposed to have a Rhizotomy on April 13 in my cervical area, but because of the replies he received, maybe I'll cancel the appointment until I can get more info. on this procedure. I had a nerve block that has helped and the facet inj. was done after the block, so I'm not sure if the facet inj. helped or if it is the block, and I'm scared that they'll burn the nerve that they think is being helped by the facet inj. and what will happen if the facet inj didn't help that nerve? Right now my neck is o.k. and I don't want to make it worse, I also have had 3 lumbar surgeries and have alot of lower back pain, and I have Fibromyalgia ontop of that thats really bad, so I don't need anymore neck pain, I have 3 ruptured discs in my neck and have not had surgery, beware of over zealous chiropractors, they're the ones who ruptured the discs in my neck. I take Avinza for pain in my back and neck and it works good if anyone is loking for new drugs to try, I also take Cymbalta for my Fibromyalgia pain which does help, used to take Elavil for Fibro., but it quit working after about 4 yrs. Good luck to all you sufferers out there, it's hell! |
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