Hi Linda and Welcome!! I'm so sorry you're having such trouble. This is a terrible ailment to have.

A nerve ablation is where they burn the nerves to "kill" them. It's only a temporary fix but it can be helpful. The doc is supposed to sedate you - I was put in lala land. LOL I didn't know anything, and when I woke up it was all done. Afterwards you're just a little sore - nothing you can't handle. A little ice and some pain meds will take care of it. You really don't need the pain meds.

When I say it's a temporary fix, you might get relief anywhere from 3 months to a year -- or it might not work at all. It didn't work for me. Plus the nerves grow back at the rate of 1" per month. So it depends on how much they burned too.

I wish you the very best. After 25 years of this agony I JUST got relief by using the Fentanyl patch along with Methadone. Maybe that will help you too. Who knows?? Take care and God bless. Hugs, Lee

Thank you for your reply. I did not know it was temporary I thought this would fix everything. I am getting so depressed about this back problem. It seems like I keep going for painful proceedures and nothing is working. I am going to look up what you had maybe the doctor will talk to me about that. I am not confident that the ablation will work and I did not know the nerves grow back,
thanks again
Linda

Yes, the nerve ablation is nothing but a very temporary fix, I had it done and it lasted 2 months, so is nothing to hang your faith in.... Like Leeall I take medications daily to keep as pain free as possible, since I had a spinal fusion and that did not work either! The ESI's (epidural shots) usually don't work, they are all bandages that only cover the issue, but doesn't make it go away. What kind of problems do you have? What are you diagnose with?

Thank you for your reply and the info. The doc said I have

sciatica
2 herniated disk L5 and 4
Arthritis
stanosis

I hate the idea that I am like a Guinea pig with all this, in th mean time it is painful and costing money to trial and error all of the procedures

I did send an inquiry to another doc and he emailed me and asked if I wanted a consultation he said he could get me pain free without damaging my nerves
I am so perplexed
Linda

Hi Linda. I am so sorry you are here, but glad you found us! Welcome.

I too have spinal stenosis, severe of course because I do everything the best! :-) I also have DDD and some bulging discs.

This is hard, for sure. It can be depressing and the pain is more than most can stand. I would recommend counseling. I have been doing it and it has helped me greatly. I can't change the pain, I know this...I can only take medications and try treatments which will temporarily mask the pain. The counseling has helped me through frustrations and has helped me focus on my natural positiveness.

Leeall and Tipper are the resident experts...because they have been through almost everything and they are very educational and helpful to the groups. I don't know what your decision will be, but I hope and pray that you find something that helps. Also, just an FYI, but the chronic pain board is more active than this and you might find more information there.

Thank you for replying, counseling is a good idea, I will check into this and I will look at the other website as well

thank you
Linda

Hi Linda,

Nerve ablation is also called a rhizotomy or neurotomy. It is true that they are a temporary fix. I've been having them done for about 6 years now. The shortest relief was 4 months, the longest 2 years.

I was placed on an iv with a light sedative so that I could relax while still being awake. My doctor would stimulate each nerve and when the pain was recreated, he would then burn it.

It is well worth it to me to get any relief, no matter how short a time.

Take care.

Ct thank you for taking your time to respond. I am really on the fence with this proceedure. Tell me please, did you feel much pain with this proceedure?
Thank you
Linda

Linda,
I am your neighbor (Oakland Park here), and I reply to your post in the chronic pain group. I posted the name and numbers of 2 of the most wonderful Doctor's that I have encountered in South Florida. One is my pain management Doc, and the other one is my Neurosurgeon, they are wonderful, and if you want second opinions, they are the best! So check out the response on the chronic pain forum, OK? Take care!

Thank you neighbor! I will check it out
Linda