Does Anyone Know

[Kathi49]

I basically know the risks associated with an RF. But...are there any PARTICULAR risks for an RF done at the higher cervical levels? I THINK the C2/C3 is giving me grief but not quite sure. My CT and MRI scans say arthritis on the left only at that level and C3/C4 is fused. Ugh...it is just this old occipital pain rearing up again but bad dizziness lately. The trigger point injections seemed to have helped with some spasms but this is feeling more like nerve pain now. But my PM did say facet injections would be next. I am just not sure of the level other than the C2/C3 since the C3/C4 is fused. Oh, boy, here we go again. :( I just wonder why too why everything is worse on the left but the right side hurts the most!

[slipnslide]

Kathi,

As you know, I've had the RF's done before. I had them done at C3/4/5/6/7. Even though I'm fused at C5/6/7, I still experience pain from what seems to be related to those levels. Whether it's the facets, or scar tissue, something sure is irritating those darn nerves. I guess my point would be, having the RF done at the C3/4 level might help with the problems you're having.

My RF's helped with my left sided neck pain, but not my shoulder and arm pain...so who know's really:rolleyes: ...all you can do is give it a try:) . Also, you said something that caught my eye, about the right sided pain being worse when the problems were more left sided. When I had the RF done on the left side and it alleviated most of my neck pain, I started having more pain in the right side, and a few trigger points, that was when I got my first trigger point injection. God only knows how we wind up this way.....lol.

I'm sorry, but I have no experience with the C2/3 level, and pray to god that I never do.

Kathi...I'll be a cheerleader on your sideline if you go try the RF:D ....ok, ok, I know, not everyone responds the same way to each procedure, but it might be worth a try.:)

Kim

[BrokenBladder]

Kathi,
I don't really have any answers for you but I wanted to let you know I'm sorry that you're in pain and having to go through this decision making process.

[Kathi49]

Thanks Kim and Lisa,

Kim,

LOL! I don't know what to make of it all either. Even my Neurologist was perplexed saying..."...but everything is on the left!" My NS has me even more confused because he says the levels that are fused shouldn't be causing issues. I guess I can see his point. Anyway, it was my PM that pointed out all the problems areas but the C2/C3 wasn't one of them. So, I SUPPOSE that if the C5/C6 could give me headaches, I would imagine the level above (not fused) could do the same thing. Anymore, really, I just think any level can do whatever the heck it wants to LOL! I will have to wait and see what my PM thinks other than what he has already said. I only THINK it is the C2/C3 based on the areas where the referred pain is. And you are right...that high of a level concerns me a great deal.

And of all things, I had no idea yesterday that severe storms were on the way. No wonder my head felt like it was ready to explode! I swear it happens all the time...when the weather changes. Now that it is here and raining and what not...it has lightened up some. But geez, I was dizzy yesterday...thinking I needed handrails throughout my whole house! :eek: And, no, didn't change the meds or even up them. It all has to be related to the cervical spine...there is really no other answer. And I tried all day not to look up or down. But when I turned my head right or left the room just spun! I ended up lying down alternating heat and ice and it finally subsided.

[slipnslide]

Kathi,

I am so brain dead....lol....I made a mistake, my herniations were central and left, but I did have bilateral neural foraminal stenosis, so that that could possible explain the right sided pain. But, then again, like you said, those areas are fused...so who knows!:rolleyes: :)

Also, I have the "human barometer" thing going on here too. Even though we're in a severe drought, we're getting some light showers, and everything is aching and shooting....ugh.:(

Hope you're feeling a lot better today.:)

Kim

[Kira]

Sorry you're not feeling well, Kathi. I don't know much about RFs.

I was wondering what you're doing with your meds these days? I THINK I remember that you stopped tapering the Klonopin after your ER visit and that you decided not to try the patches. Just wondering if any med changes could be done, since it seems like you've got lots of room to go up on your Vicodin and have the option of the patches, too.

I know you've had success from similar procedures in the past and that you have a good relationship with your PM, so hopefully whatever decision you make will be the right one for you.

[Kathi49]

Kim,

LOL! That is what I have going on as well...bilateral foraminal stenosis. And there is more contact on the left than right but no impingement. So, go figure. :) I just pulled out the cervical MRI report earlier and it does mention an osteophtye complex on the RIGHT at C2/C3 and then on the CT scan says facet degeneration on the LEFT. Anyway, I THINK it is THAT level but just not sure. So, today I called my PM's office. They are seeing me in another 3 weeks or so which is fine. I have lived with it this long right? :) But I asked them how they wanted to handle it since I don't know for sure. So, they are putting me down as "doctor to determine" but STILL scheduling some time for injection(s) if necessary. A nurse is supposed to call me back though because my concern is that I just had those trigger point injections two weeks ago. Anyway, you know how all that goes. I just figured I better be calling because it takes a long while to get in if it is not an emergency type of thing.

Kira,

I haven't changed a thing yet. I am staying on the Klonopin and Vicodin both for now. I have room to go up on either one so you are right. But with this dizziness lately I don't want to make any drastic changes right away. If a facet injection is what is needed and works then that is what I want to try first. My NS doesn't really want me to go to the patch; says it is a giant leap. So, there are different schools of thought. :) But he did say he could understand why Dr. _____, my PM, would want me to try it with multiple issues. Besides, I am just not so sure that adding the patch would make much difference. I should probably just up the Vicodin and take a wait and see approach.

[Mark N]

Kathi, I don't have any experience or knowledge about Rfs that high up but do hope you start feeling better soon. Even though your C3-4 is fused it still could be irritating the nerves causing your headaches. If you go with the RF I wish you the best.

[Kathi49]

Thanks Mark!

I will just let my PM figure it out. :) It was better today...at least no dizziness. And all I did was to clean the bedroom and watch "Project Runway" re-runs all day LOL! I was just trying to stay still as much as I could to alleviate some of it. Sooo...just pushed back the recliner, put ice on my neck and stayed put! And...let the pups run wild! Just kidding...they pretty much hung out with me and were good.