Today's the day!

[Braindrain]

Today's the big day! I haven't had any phone calls telling me otherwise,
so the RFA is on for today. It's an outpatient procedure, so I'll be coming
back home today. I'm just not sure how I'll feel when I get home. I may
not be around for a day or two.

[simby]

good luck, gina

[Kathi49]

Good luck Gina! Let us know how it all turns out when you feel up to it.

[Ponyguy]

Gina, (Love that name!) I sure hope all goes well... even better than you hope for!
Lettuce know how it all went, when you feel up to it!

Much love and

[Braindrain]

I had the procedure and then we went to get some
lunch. From there, we went to the mall, because the
doctor wanted me to do a lot of walking for a few
hours. I figured the mall was the best place to go
for that.

The doctor gave me a chart and said I'm supposed
to record my pain levels for the next few days. So
far, my back pain has been zero! I'm just not
sure if that's because the novacain (yes, I said
"novacain"!) hasn't worn off yet. I'm a little
sore in my lower back, but I think that's more
because of the needles I had for the procedure.

The original plan was to do one side of my back first,
wait a week, while I kept the pain chart and then do
the other side. But, the doctor said that I tolerated
the procedure so well that he would go ahead and do
both sides today. Now, I know how that sounds, but
apparently, he had a patient that couldn't even finish
getting the first side done. He left before the doctor
was finished!

Eventually, the procedure will have to be repeated, but
I'm hoping that won't be for a long time, yet.

[Jolene]

Gina, (I can't stand that name) Just teasing! hehehe

Hope the results are long lasting. Glad you got it done.

[Kathi49]

Gina,

It sounds like you did just great! But like Jolene always says, I want the gory details. Just kidding. Seriously, though, when you feel more like writing, let us/we know how the procedure actually went. I may have to have this done. Anyway, great job...sounds like you will do fine. I am keeping my fingers crossed for ya!

[dianne633]

Hi gina
I am glad the procedure went well, I was wondering what they did and what is RFA.

[Braindrain]

Hi, dianne: RFA is radio frequency ablation. Basically, it's a procedure
to disrupt the nerves so that they're no longer sending pain signals to
my lower back.

The doctors gave me an IV with saline and water to keep me hydrated.
Then, over the next 30 mins, they gave me a series of seven injections
and it's the injections that "burn" the nerves. Once the needle goes in,
there's some pain, but also some "heat". The doctor told me to let him
know if I was having any trouble with the pain from the injections during
the procedure, but I didn't do too bad. I guess it's because I'm so used
to being poked with needles for blood tests, IVs, etc.

I'm still a little sore/tender in my back and my mother says the area's
a little red, but other than that, I'm doing okay.

Kathi: Like I said, they usually do one side at a time. So, if you go
to have the procedure done and they tell you they're only doing one
side, that's the way they normally do it. (To be honest, I'm glad they
did both sides, because I wanted to get it over with-but that's just me).

[Joey54]

I was hurting so bad a couple of months ago (with a different pain) I wanted to speak to Dr W about the procedure but put it off, a visit takes an entire day and scheduling anything in advance is all but impossible at this time.

I began to have an escalation of the old leg movement problems and sciatic pain so I called & had the caudal & facets injected just over a week ago and except for the normal back pain I feel I am as good as it will get & I must be happy with my current situation, the sciatic and movement problems are now gone.

I had asked the Dr to cut my MSContin about 6 months ago and went from 120mg to 90mg after “spring” injections, 60 days ago I asked that the NP raise the MSContin and she did to 120mg and last week the Dr surprised me and raised me back to 180mg … I believe he had heard that I was staying with granny 24/7 alone … small towns have grapevines as I was toughing it out and did not ask but he did it ... he surprises me at times.

I started with 120mg in 99 & have gone up to 180 & down to 90mg, I cut when I can and the Dr raises when he believes I need or I need them raised ... keeping the dose low is my long term goal.


Caring for granny caused the 8-9 on the pain scale but after the situation changed, the 8-9 pain eased up to my normal 5-6 with meds; my BP went to 190/100 for a few weeks before going back to 120/80 … I resisted BP meds for a temporary situation & glad I did.

There were many times on bad days when she could not stand and I lifted her from the wheelchair to bed, toilet & into restaurants ect so I have an idea why I hurt so bad but not sure … what structure hurts & if that area can be helped.

I cannot be sick now, I must be available for granny 24/7 as she is now in a nursing home and fighting so much she is hurting herself; calls from the NH & trips to the ER have been frequent, she now has a fractured clavicle, a large laceration on her head with stitches and God only knows what else … she is a fighter but it is making things worse.

I will make an appointment in a few months and speak about the options, update films and whatever needs to be done to make an informed decision after granny passes away

If it would enable me to get off of the SS, FS and other programs I would have it in a heartbeat and if granny has anything left for the kids I will have some help … I need to speak to a lawyer and do things right … she planned ahead on some issues but not others.

I would rather have my granny back as she is also my best friend & I miss the belly laughs & meaningful conversations as she opened up to me about things she told nobody else.

I am venting on your post and need to go do many things but I will watch your progress, thank you for sharing … you are helping me make decisions that could change my life, thanks JL for the forum.

Best wishes,

Joey54