Rhizotomy, what's the real story??

[snorp]

Howdy all. The PM doc thinks that since the lidocane from facet blocks reduced my back pain until it worn off, 1hour, that a rhizotomy may be the next step. The blocks didn't do much, in fact nothing has. But in recovery when I first awoke, I felt like the nightmare was over. Only to find it was the lidocane from the procedure. Now my spine is ugly from top to bottom. Fusion C3-4-5, natural fusion starting in T section, and L section a mess. The whole spine is participating with DDD, osteophytes, facet arthritis, stenosis in 5 spots, severe, and muscles spasms thrown in for fun. I've had so many procedures and they never result in what's hoped for. But beyond that, the description of the pain during and after is always masked with words like, uncomfortable, or you've handled worse. I'd rather take a beating that go through another discogram, had 2. From what I read about a rhizotomy, it sounds very close to the same thing. And, of course, no guarantees. Could be worse, better chance that some pain will be reduced. But then it doesn't last but for a few months at most. Then do it again. All the while staying on the same medication I'm on now. What's the inside scoop from those of you that have experience this procedure??
Oh, by the way, I'm a total pain wuss now.

[Kathi49]

Snorp,

I am pretty much in the same boat. You didn't say what area you were having the RF. And while I have never had an RF in the cervical spine, I have had two RF's done in the lumbar. And they both worked very well. It doesn't even come close to a discogram. With an RF the doc would be ablating the medial branch nerve that lies across the facet. And it is a very small section that they do. Anyway, I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that this wouldn't be painful. But my PM laughed and said I wouldn't remember a thing. To be honest and with both times he was right! I didn't feel anything but kind of thumping sensation and even though I was under conscious sedation I was answering his questions. To this day I don't remember what he asked or what I said; just remember bits and pieces of the conversation...just a few words. In any case, it was much easier than even spinal injections and I would repeat it again and again without any qualms. Btw, both RF's lasted well over a year and of course the nerve regenerates and you will feel the same pain. But it sure beats surgery and treating this conservatively as possible. I realize too this procedure is considered controversial but it certainly helped me. Hang in there it is not nearly as bad as you think. As a matter of fact, I would love to have another done here shortly. Oh, as for the cervical spine, it was mentioned to me many years ago. BUT at the same time I was told I would need two fusions anyway...so I opted out of the RF. Darn it, I forgot something else. The medial branch nerve(s) sole purpose in life is to transmit pain...that's it! It is NOT a motor nerve. I only add this because SOMETIMES people get it confused.

[snorp]

Thanks Kathi. It is very comforting to hear the real story from someone who's been there. Used to be I'd be anxious to try anything that was suggested by a doc. Then I found that there are quite a few clinics set up for just capitalist reasons. Now I am for profits in the system as anyone, but there are clinics that are just mean with their attitude and separate themselves from the personal part of the care. Just another number. I suppose I can understand some in that for them to take home the pain they view daily would be horrible. But there should be a middle ground. OK, just ranting here. Wanted to thank you for your post and wish you and all luck in the future.

Snorp