facet joint denervation, anyone?

evabuk
evabuk Member Posts: 108
edited 21. Aug 2009, 18:00 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi there,

just been to my specialist who did the facet joint injections 2 weeks ago for a follow up visit today.

Feeling somewhat depressed, as I've felt no improvement, and he said that by now I should have felt some benefit. He's referred me to a pain specialist (anaesthesist consultant) and talked about a more permanent treatment, denervation, where I think they literally kill off the relevant nerves.

Sounds very scary, and I wonder if anyone has any experience of this kind of treatment - or knows someone who had it done?

sorry to be such a misery, it's what "arfer" does to you, isn't it? :oops:

Comments

  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Eva,

    Sorry I can't help and I hope someone comes along soon who can.

    Just wanted to wish you well and say don't apologise for being a misery - we all go there sometimes.

    Luv Legs :)
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Evabuk,

    I am going for the same thing soon I hope. It may not be the same thing, initially they are doing mine as a temp thing but weather they use cryo or electric I don't know and if thats good for me they may then do it with a chemical that will permanently kill the nerves. Its one of those things that sounds very drastic but may not be in reality a bad as it first sounds if you see what I mean?

    I had a temporary one done back in April, that was by injection, and I have to say as it wears off I become more of a convert to having it done permanently.

    If you go first PLEASE keep me informed and I will do the same if I do.

    Take care, Cris
  • evabuk
    evabuk Member Posts: 108
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Evabuk,

    I am going for the same thing soon I hope. It may not be the same thing, initially they are doing mine as a temp thing but weather they use cryo or electric I don't know and if thats good for me they may then do it with a chemical that will permanently kill the nerves. Its one of those things that sounds very drastic but may not be in reality a bad as it first sounds if you see what I mean?

    I had a temporary one done back in April, that was by injection, and I have to say as it wears off I become more of a convert to having it done permanently.

    If you go first PLEASE keep me informed and I will do the same if I do.

    Take care, Cris

    when you talk about the temporary one, was this a steroid injection, and whereabouts in the spine? obviously it did work for a while, since you talk about it wearing off.....
    how long did you feel any benefit - and how soon after the injection?

    mine was 2 weeks ago(steroid) and I've had no benefit yet.. :(

    we definitely need to keep in touch on the subject. Am seeing my pain specialist next week.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Evabuk,

    I have to say I had a steroids one in my lumber a couple of months ago and was a bit disappointed at how ineffective it was but mine did actually get easier over time and I didn't notice it happening (though that one has def worn off now) so maybe yours will improve still. I hope so for you at any rate.

    It was my neck they did the other one on and it was fairly instant. They did tell me the name of it and what was in it but I can't remember but it was a lot more jabs than the one in my lumber. Long ago I had temporary nerve blocks in my lumber and they were 3 months or so to come back to life, but that is over 23 years and I can't remember what was in them either.

    I was meant to see her on Wednesday but it was cancelled, now its not till October so please let me know what they say. I did talk to my Rumo and he hasn't totally ruled out surgery but the Pain Doctor said its better to have it chemically denerved as my bones are not in a very good state of repair. Also in my case they have diagnosed another type of arthritis and maybe that will mean I am no longer a candidate.

    I really hope you get some answers and will keep my fingers crossed that they can help you and please do keep in touch about this. I did talk to a guy in recovery who had opted for the electronic pulse block and he recommended it very highly but I don't know what was wrong for him to need it and we may not all be the same. See what they say to you, and come back and tell me please. take care, Cris

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