Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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ralop 08/24/2010

I wrote a post earlier about this but haven't found anyone who's had this done on the lumbar nerves. Looked up on internet sites and also no personal experience with lumbar, only cervical. I also have the P.T.S.D. / Severe Anxiety reactions every time I am to lay on the table for a procedure. Has anyone here experienced trauma therapy for any issues or experienced this anxiety who can give me tools other than medication to deal with the anxiety?? Doing a little better with it but it usually kicks in the nite before and I can't sleep then go in tired, sedate me a little and I just deal with it on my own. Don't wanna do it this way anymore. Also nervous about the "deep sunburn " pain I should be feeling after the procedure. I know they won't be giving me any xtra meds for post procedure and my meds cover daily pain and not much else. I really wish I was not having to deal with this anymore!!thanks for being here, don't know what I'd do without all of you!!! You are all awesome!!
Love Light Truth & Service
Stubborn TerrieAnn

ihavepkd 08/24/2010

TerrieAnn,
I have no experience, but here's a website I found with a Q and A on the procedure. It sounds like local anesthesia and IV sedation for the procedure and post surgical treatment is lots of icepacks, so if you have time this evening you may want to stock up on a few more so you have a running supply and can have some near continuous cold available (using a dish towel between the icepack and your back and be sure to visually check for any signs of too much cold as well as touch; you'll need both senses to be sure).

http://www.reddinganesthesia.com/radio_frequency_lesioning_faq.htm

Otherwise I don't think anyone had any experience to pass along, just websites talking about it.

But we'll be thinking about your tomorrow. Please let us know how your procedure goes and hopefully your pain medication will become superfluous and you'll be able to taper down on it soon!

Best wishes! :)

ralop 08/25/2010

Thank you for your reply. I did notice the common thread of the post symptom of "deep sun-burn." Not looking forward to any xtra pain as my meds barely cover a long day's extra pain.... but... whats a body to do. The other big no-no about ice packs for me is that one of my main symptoms of pain is from a lot of arthritis in my spine right where they are attempting to short-circuit this or these nerves later on this lovely day............. I am doing the anxiety dance already with not being able to lay down and go to sleep. It's already normal for me to not be able to sleep until the sun is rising and the nights before these procedures are even worse, with my head spinning about what needs to be done etc etc.etc etc... So we will see how my arthritis reacts to the ice packs. if I am luck the new pain will over-ride the older pain at least for a day or so. I cannot take any anti-inflamatory medications / blood-thinning medications around the procedures are a no-no.... but as soon as i can I will take an aspirin and then the arthritis pain will go down. I use the heating pad daily ... well... all the time so this will be quite different for me. One thing is for sure............. this too shall pass.............. it will not last forever. it will be an acute pain which will diminish with time...... days.... and I am looking forward to the procedure working for exactly what the doc is hoping for and I will have one of the chronic pains I struggle with daily will diminish greatly if not go away for at least 3 months. I will be given the relief I need to pack up my stuff from this failed 18 yr relationship and move to "a good home" as my grandson puts it so eloquently, and all be done, before the snow flies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leave it to be told out of the mouths of babes!
Thanks for the prayers and comradery. When i can sit here again for a min I will check in and tell ya all about it. !! And all my worries will have been for naught!
In Love Light Truth & Service
Stubborn TerrieAnn

deleted_user 08/27/2010

have you done it yet? im going around 3-4 weeks for the lumbar.
had the radiofrequency in the back of my head and im hoping its NOTHING like that because that was the worse pain i ever experienced

lladyfairhair 08/28/2010

It will be just fine ralop...you know how these things go... always worse thinking about it than doing it...it will be over and you can move on... no problem.

So cute what your Grandson said... lol...

I am surprised that they wont let you have a little more pain meds to get you through this. I mean its a reasonable request!

Prayers and my best

deleted_user 08/28/2010

ralop- OMG I'm having the same thing done to my lowback on Tuesday.. And NO extra pain meds either, although I do plan on asking for some.. There gonna give me IV sedation for this procedure. I just had a facet joint injection yesterday to relieve the horrific amount of pain I was in and I have to say it worked. He said he wasn't doing it for diagnostic therapy this time is was more for theraputic, the facet injections that is. It did work. I feel 85% better. Im very worried about this radio frequency thing.. At this point I need to try everything I can to relieve this pain for longer then 3 days. My meds are not working anymore.. When are you having this done? Let me know how it goes. ((hugs))

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