Rhyzolisis

sheenakt

Hi

Anyone had this procedure done? I saw my spinal consultant yesterday and he seems keen to try it.

would have to have it authorised by Bupa yet (that's usually at least a full weeks work!)

Trouble is I am not keen on my consultant, I find him patronizing, arrogant, not got a good bedside manner, dilemma is should I find another consultant? OH thinks you don't have to like him but I tend to disagree.

can't help comparing to my hip surgeon, who is outstanding in his care, he does not do backs.

any thoughts?

Sheena x

barbara12

Oh sorry Sheena I haven't heard of this one, I do agree with you about getting on with your consultant, there is nothing worse than not being able to talk to them,If it was me I would be looking for another one , but I think I would try and find some more info on him he may be very good, the trouble is it seems to be a closed shop :roll:
Wishing you well with it all, and please let us know how you get on xx

stickywicket

sheenakt wrote:

Hi

Anyone had this procedure done? I saw my spinal consultant yesterday and he seems keen to try it.

Trouble is I am not keen on my consultant, I find him patronizing, arrogant, not got a good bedside manner, dilemma is should I find another consultant? OH thinks you don't have to like him but I tend to disagree.

I haven't even heard of it, Sheena, so can't help on that count.

As for the surgeon, it's a tricky choice. Just because he's a social cretin that doesn't mean to say he isn't brilliant with a scalpel and, equally, the guy with the bedside manner mightn't be so hot in theatre. I think it boils down to whether you have confidence in him rather than whether or not you like him.

frogmella

From all my experience of spinal things I think a second opinion is always helpful. I wish I had seen someone else before opting for my first surgery. I now see a different surgeon who is lovely and listens. I thought I had to stick with what I had been given but BUPA were very happy to authorise second, and even third opinions. I say give it a go - won't take that long to get a new appointment in the grand scheme of things. Where in the country are you? My new surgeon is in Brum - if that is any good for you I could PM you details?

elnafinn

Hi Sheena

I have had a Cervical Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA). It is also called cervical facet thermal coagulation or rhizotomy. Mine was done for upper neck/shoulder pain and worked for quite a time for me. Perhaps this is similar to what you are having somewhere in your spine. Anyway, of course it helps if you have a rapport with the specialist but most important is to find out how good he is at the procedure he is keen to perform on you! It is not an operation and is an outpatients procedure so if it is like it was for me, it does not take long and it either works or does not, which you find out fairly quickly. I hope it works for you and yes, by all means get a second opinion or find someone else to do if you are not sure about this person.

I wish you all the best,

Elna x

sheenakt

Thank you so much for all the replies and advice, taken it all on board. I'm in the North East so Birmingham not good for me Frogmella. I've spoken to Bupa, they agreed a change, so I shall be seeing the new one on the 3rd January, I agree Sticky that bedside manner is not all. The new man works very closely with my hip surgeon so that may be a bonus too and he works at my local NHS hopsital should I need to see him as an NHS patient in the future. I have very limited funds availablt with Bupa, so its possible to run out of money halfway through the year......... I'll let you know how the appt goes on the 3rd January.

Ta, Sheena x

frogmella

That sounds like a good plan to me. Good luck at your second opinion appointment - I bet you will be back in the scanner!