RF's on hip/abdomin 2 days ago

[slipnslide]

I figured I would post my experience with my RF's on the hip/abdomin just in case anyone else has to, or decides to try the procedure. This past Wed. I had the RF's repeated on my hip, since the one's that were done in Dec. gave me very little relief. I have "high hopes" and a lot more confidence in this one being more successful because during the procedure, when turning up the heat, I was able to feel the buzzing down my left inner thigh and groin, which then increased to the pain sensation I know too well, so he injected more lidocaine in there and let the RF do it's pulsing thing for a couple minutes. He's a pretty funny guy. He asked me if I noticed he was wearing his lead vest even though he wasn't using the fluoroscopy machine, so I asked him if it was for protection for when he hurts me and I kick him, it won't hurt.:eek::D He just laughed. Anyhow, he moved on to the lateral femoral nerve, that one was weird:confused:....at first he turned the RF up just a bit and the buzzing was going down the back of my thigh:confused:, so he pushed down on the needle just a bit more, and turned up the RF a little higher, then I felt it on the outer thigh. The third and final RF he stuck the needle in, and the buzzing creeped up my hip toward where the donor site for my ACDF was. The sensation went from a buzzing to the full force pain that wraps up and over the bone donor site, and around the back of my hip. My body jack-knifed and contorted on the table:o , while telling him "that's the hip pain I've been having!", so he shot it up with more lidocaine then continued the RF.

I'm hoping that since he was able to re-create that pain in the hip during the procedure, that this time that nerve bundle was fried once and for all!:D ....especially that hip pain!(knocking on wood!;))

The past couple days my left hip, abdomen, and thigh have been in a constant state of "pissed off", so much more than the first two rounds of RF's....so I'm thinking that it's going to work this time!:D:D:D Yippeeeeee! Anyhow, I have to give it a few weeks to know the full effects of the procedure.

Best wishes all,

Kim

[Mark N]

Kim, I hope this round of RF does the job. It is amazing how much pain we put up with to have a chance at some relief later on. I hope you are posting in a few days/weeks about how much better you are doing and what a great job the RF did this time.

[Kathi49]

Kim,

I am soooo hoping this works for you! :) When they recreate the pain; you KNOW they hit the spot! And...amen...FRY those suckers! LOL And I can just about bet those areas are highly ticked off! :eek: Let us know how it all turns out...it is about time you had some relief.

[slipnslide]

Mark and Kathi,

Thanks:). I know I must look like a nut-case by putting smilies on my post while talking about him re-creating that intense pain.... it's just that it's given me so much hope and confidence that it will work!...anyhow, still knocking on wood!;)....I don't want to jinx myself!:eek:;):D

I wish the best to you both!

Kim

[Nana4&cntn]

Kim,

I am going to look into having RF done. I have been reading a lot of information and it looks to have great results!! I too have that blasted donor site pain, there are days I would like to try to cut out the painful areas:o. Of course that would not be wise!! But, your doc re creating the exact pain is a sure sign that he got the right area. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this works long term for you!! That would be an incredible feat!! I can only imagine how excited you must be.
Keep us posted!! I am going to do some more research for doc's around here. I forgot to ask the PM yesterday about the RF, too many other things going on.

Take care,
Kathy

[slipnslide]

Kim,

I am going to look into having RF done. I have been reading a lot of information and it looks to have great results!! I too have that blasted donor site pain, there are days I would like to try to cut out the painful areas:o. Of course that would not be wise!! But, your doc re creating the exact pain is a sure sign that he got the right area. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this works long term for you!! That would be an incredible feat!! I can only imagine how excited you must be.
Keep us posted!! I am going to do some more research for doc's around here. I forgot to ask the PM yesterday about the RF, too many other things going on.

Take care,
Kathy
Kathy,

I actually had these RF's done Jan. 2007 and they worked very well. They took care of a majority of the pain for 6-7 months before the pain levels started to gradually go back up. That eventually caused me to be limping again, which threw my SI joint outta whack, so that started hurting too....ugh, it's like a snowball rolling down a hill:rolleyes:....the problems just keep getting bigger.

The pain relief I got the first time around, even though it wasn't total relief, it was well worth the needles in the hip/abdomen;). I hope that if your PM does them and you decide to try it, you get the same relief I got the first time that I had it done.:)

Best wishes,

Kim

[slipnslide]

Where's the "yawn" emoticon?:p I had one of those really bad nights, last night, with this hip/thigh thing. Every time I was able to drift off to sleep, the darned pain would start shooting again and wake me right back up. It's so frustrating!:( I know I have weeks to wait before I'll know the full effects of the RF's, but it was like having someone sitting there watching you fall asleep, and just as soon as you do, they start shaking you and saying "no, no, no, you can't sleep, get up!...no sleeping!"....ugh!:(:mad: It's one of those days where you can't figure out why you're pain is up....is it the weather?...nope, sunny and warm today, close to 70 degrees outside. The only thing I can think is, I walked more than I should have because we went to the store for a few items yesterday. Sorry all, I'm just venting because I'm cranky.:eek::o

[slipnslide]

I went three whole nights without the terrible hip pain waking me up....and I thought, "how awesome!!!":). I was afraid to post anything on here just in case I would be jinxing myself...lol...but, as it turns out, those three nights were all I got:(. Last night the pains returned, and not only did they return, but they also have decided to stay for the entire day today!:( I am praying to god that this is just a freak occurence and not a taste of what's to come:eek:. I am starting to get extremely disappointed because I had noticed some improvement for those few days and now it's back to normal at night, but the stabbing, shooting, searing pain has now been with me throughout the entire day:(. If this RF didn't work, I honestly don't know what I am going to do. My Pm mentioned the surgery for the nerve, but said I could wind up worse!:eek: I don't think I'm willing to take that risk. Ughhh, I'm not liking either of my choices right now!:(

[Nana4&cntn]

Oh Kim,

I am so sorry you are having to go thru this! It is so hard to find the right combination of pain control. Didn't I read some where you had this done before and had pretty good results? I hope things get better for you, you sure need a break.

Take care
Kathy

[slipnslide]

Thanks Kathy, and yes....I had the RF's done a little over a year ago and they worked well for many months. I can't believe these nerves are not calming down after having had the RF's repeated twice, once the week before this past Xmas, and again on March 5th. I was so sure it would work this time because not only did I feel the "buzz" in the area of my hip where I have the pain when he turned up the "juice" on the RF Machine (sorry, but I have no clue what they call it:o), but it re-created the actual intense pain I've been experiencing. Maybe I need to give it more time before knowing for sure if it failed again, but from past experience, it's not looking good at this point.:( I've got my fingers crossed that maybe because the nerves have been "fried" once before, that it is just taking them longer to die off this time. I'm just so sleep deprived and frustrated with fighting the pain in my hip, because it's at it's worst when I'm laying down in bed. I'm about ready to put my Aspen Collar back on to prevent me from screwing up my neck more, and try sleeping in my trusty old chair that I relied on after my C-spine surgery.:rolleyes:

Best wishes,
Kim

[Nana4&cntn]

Kim,

I really hope and pray yor nerves finally croak (sorry, I have a few I would like to) and leave you be. I understand sleeping in a chair, I seem to be doing a lot of that lately. I will be praying for the right nerves to die or atleast go into a coma for awhile, so can get some sleep!

Take care,
Kathy

[Mark N]

Kim, I hope the nerves have settled back down and you are getting some pain relief. I understand sleeping in a chair as I have done that for the past eight years. It is so disappointing to get a few days of relief and then have the pain return. I hope you had a good night's sleep last night and have less pain today.

[Kathi49]

Kim,

I wanted to answer this last night but my own hips and upper part of my legs were in pain too. But not as bad as what you are going through. :eek: I just figured I better not sit at the computer for very long. Anyway, I don't know what to say about the RF. :confused: I would think as you are that it would have calmed down by now. But I just don't know. Have you called the doc back at all? And I just wonder if he can't give you something to help you sleep...it has to be miserable. :( And I don't blame you for wanting to put your collar back on and sleeping in your chair. I wear my soft collar from time to time as well. Hang in there and let us all know how you are doing today.

[slipnslide]

Kathy, Mark, & Kathi,

Thanks...kind words and support go a long way.:) I really just don't know what else to do. I won't call my PM regarding the RF, because we were taking a shot at it working this time, after it having not worked back in Dec. During my appointment with him when setting up this past RF, he explained the surgical option, but warned that I could wind up worse:eek: Initially, I had said "what's the difference, it's shooting now, as it is!", but having had time to think about it after my appointment, there would be no turning back if I did wind up worse.:( So I either accept what I've got and deal with, or take a major risk with doing the nerve surgery. With the way the nerves in my neck feel after surgery, I don't have alot of confidence that the nerves in my hip will fare much better.

Kim