Tomorrow lower lumbar nerves to be burned away

Mr. Ed

Mr. Ed

Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
Location
Central NY
I have two lower-lumbar muscles with nerve damage. This is my third treatment for pain except this time the nerves surrounding my vertebrae on both sides will be burned down and severed for short-term pain relief. It's funny, I have a yearning for barbecue, perhaps I can take some home with me tomorrow.
 

I have never heard of this procedure. Let us know how it went. Good luck!
 

Mr. Ed said:
I have two lower-lumbar muscles with nerve damage. This is my third treatment for pain except this time the nerves surrounding my vertebrae on both sides will be burned down and severed for short-term pain relief. It's funny, I have a yearning for barbecue, perhaps I can take some home with me tomorrow.
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That's a warped sense of humor you have, I like it!

I have never heard of this procedure but am curious about it. You said "short term pain relief", if the nerves are severed why is it only short term relief? Does the pain eventually find new pathways?

I've got lumber stenosis and a great deal of pain in my legs and numbness/pain in my feet, spinal injections no longer work and docs say surgery is the next step(which I don't want to go thru). Please let us know how your procedure works out, maybe a treatment I will look into. Good luck!
 
C50 said:
That's a warped sense of humor you have, I like it!

I have never heard of this procedure but am curious about it. You said "short term pain relief", if the nerves are severed why is it only short term relief? Does the pain eventually find new pathways?

I've got lumber stenosis and a great deal of pain in my legs and numbness/pain in my feet, spinal injections no longer work and docs say surgery is the next step(which I don't want to go thru). Please let us know how your procedure works out, maybe a treatment I will look into. Good luck!
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Nerves grow back in about six months. Trusted Information on Back Pain and Neck Pain Radiofrequency Ablation RFA
 
Mr. Ed said:
Nerves grow back in about six months. Trusted Information on Back Pain and Neck Pain Radiofrequency Ablation RFA
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I've had an RFA 3 times.

The first time, I reveled nearly pain-free for 9 heavenly months.

The second time had no result because they missed the target; burned the wrong nerve.

The third time my pain was reduced about 70% for about a month, 50% for the next month, and not more than 30% for another month or two before the effects wore off completely.

Yeah, the nerves repair themselves....kind of. They create new pathways, new networks and go-arounds, forming complex web-like clusters of minuscule pain transmitters and receptors.

You can't ablate those. They're too tiny.

That's why they limit patients to a max of 3 treatments per lifetime (per nerve root).

I sure loved those heavenly 9 months, though...after the 1st RFA. I wouldn't trade 'em.
 
Update: Elected to have procedure done without sedation only local anastecia. Sharp electrical jolts sprinkling on right side and left side of spine to begin what seemed like packing lower lumbar nerves for severigning connection to arthritic spinal bone tissue.
I asked for a doggy bag.
 
I have had nerve ablation done. It takes 4-6 weeks for the procedure to work it’s magic (as I call it). It works well for maybe 6 months to a year if you’re lucky. It’s not a 100% fixit solution, but it did give me some relief.

I even tried a nerve stimulator, which was worthless. BTW, for me, the injections work better.
 
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Pappy said:
I just went to pain management yesterday and they set me up for this same procedure but now I’m having second thoughts. At 86, do I really want to put my body through this? What’s the real benefit for a person of my age?
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That’s a very worthy question to be having. Operations - anesthesia is very hard on the body. Maybe a steroid shot ? Talk to your doctor about the different options available.
 
Mr. Ed said:
Update: Elected to have procedure done without sedation only local anastecia. Sharp electrical jolts sprinkling on right side and left side of spine to begin what seemed like packing lower lumbar nerves for severigning connection to arthritic spinal bone tissue.
I asked for a doggy bag.
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You were probably told it might take a few weeks to notice a difference.

The first time I had it done, the relief was practically immediate (2nd time didn't work), and the 3rd time it worked fairly well after about 10 days and almost a month before full effect.

So don't fret if it takes a while. I think you'll be glad you had it done. I'm happy for you, Ed.
It's a bummer it doesn't last forever. But enjoy it while it lasts!
 
Pappy said:
I just went to pain management yesterday and they set me up for this same procedure but now I’m having second thoughts. At 86, do I really want to put my body through this? What’s the real benefit for a person of my age?
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I don’t think your doctor would recommend the procedure if you were not up to it.
 
Good luck to you. I have lower back pain too and had not heard of this.
 

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