Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
My lumbar spine MRI results came in. I have two facet joints that are responsible for my lower back pain...other than that the MRI was fine. L1 is the worst but L3 gets second place. It's osteoarthritis.
I already had a steroid injection into these and they worked for 16 days. Now, I'm getting a "test" done per insurance which will be a nerve block that will only last a day or so. I'm supposed to keep a journal and my back is supposed to feel pretty great for this short amount of time. If so, I'll be a good candidate to have the radiofrequency done.
This is the first time I've been told I have osteoarthritis outside of the normal scope of someone my age. (just turned 49)
Please tell me about your success or failure for the nerve cauterizing of your facet joints. Doctor said I should be fairly pain free for 1-2yrs...most of his patients make it to 2 years, but they feel it returning earlier than that. I am supposed to work very hard at muscle strengthening during this time (core muscles).
Thanks for any input. I just realized the doctor didn't tell me to take supplements...what helps osteoarthritis?
I already had a steroid injection into these and they worked for 16 days. Now, I'm getting a "test" done per insurance which will be a nerve block that will only last a day or so. I'm supposed to keep a journal and my back is supposed to feel pretty great for this short amount of time. If so, I'll be a good candidate to have the radiofrequency done.
This is the first time I've been told I have osteoarthritis outside of the normal scope of someone my age. (just turned 49)
Please tell me about your success or failure for the nerve cauterizing of your facet joints. Doctor said I should be fairly pain free for 1-2yrs...most of his patients make it to 2 years, but they feel it returning earlier than that. I am supposed to work very hard at muscle strengthening during this time (core muscles).
Thanks for any input. I just realized the doctor didn't tell me to take supplements...what helps osteoarthritis?
did not do this procedure when it was scheduled in February.
I have been too sick otherwise (lung) to add this procedure.
i believe if you google also and look at emerald's responses she talked about this
my doc said the desk jockeys love this procedure that it makes it disappear in most for about a year. he did not say 2 years.
emerald I believe had inlammation of her nerves and her condition worsened int hat area unless I am hallucinating and confusing one DS member with another. you never know. I have not had enough coffee yet
depot
I have Rhizotomys on the cervical spine thus far with great success. Nerve blocks done on the SI joint & Occular (sp?) nerve that goes up the back of the head. All have been life saving for me.
Thinking if the next couple blocks work well my doc will recommend the same for SI joint. I'll go for it as my back & bum take pleasure in sitting without pain.
Usually After 3 successful injections a procedure that provides longer lasting results is recommended by my doctor. At least this use to be path followed.
The block is starting to wear off unfortunately at the same time as the Rhizotomy.
It's been nearly a year for the Rhizotomy. Never heard of 2 yrs but perhaps there's something we've missed.
It's not a success for every patient so I'm relieved my procedures have provided relief.
I hope you have relief with this block.
New to me. Never heard of block lasting a day when you can go for something with longer lasting results. If that provides relief insurance should be satisfied. Can't see putting a patient through a block lasting for a day when there's other options with the same outcome providing longer relief.
Some requirements insurance companies request are wasteful. Makes no sense.
Not to mention putting additional burden on the patient.
Oh well if you get rid of the pain it's worth it.
Here's to successful outcomes.
Sammy
I remember the doctor telling me to journal every hour for one day, so perhaps I'll find relief to last longer.
With this brain fog just remembered that bit of info.
Before my fusion the relief was not lasting long enough to consider ablation.
Now the ablation & blocks are a true life saver for me.
If I'm not mistaken insurance had stipulations on how many & how long relief was present before moving on.
Thinking my SI joint will join in the ablation club at some time.
Block started wearing off but slowly from few months back. Realizing I'm really lucky to have that period of relief.
Betting every insurance has requirements.
The fact we can get longer lasting results from ablation beats getting pumped full of steroids from blocks every so many months.
As far as supplements every single doctor with my spine & RA said I should be on a good calcium supplement. Even my surgeons recommended calcium. Calcium with D. In fact the surgeon who did my fusion said to be sure I taking it prior to surgery.
Thinking back think the RA dr said calcium, a good multi & zinc.
Iron bothers me so hard to find a multi I can tolerate.
I like the B vitamins, magnesium.....just bought a supplement of Magnesium, Zinc calcium combined.
Not sure if there are certain supplements recommended for Osteo but can't see where it would be to different.
A good compound pharmacist is worth their weight in gold. They tend to know more about what's needed for what.
Noticed a few newer ones at the compound pharmacy targeting Osteo & bone health. Can't vouch for them but more out now then ever.
Here's to relief.
Sammy