HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Pain continues after radiofrequency procedure

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/15/2012 9:22 AM (GMT -5)

Hi- I am new to this forum. Two weeks ago I had a radiofrequency procedure to L2-L3 and L4 levels. I am having the worst pain 10/10 rating when I get out of bed in the morning. It is difficult to sit, walk, put my socks and shoes on, go up/down steps,etc... My question is when will I start to get some relief?  I am an Occupational Therapist in a busy rehab dept. and it is hard for me to get my job done without some form of pain.

Dx- Degenerative disc disease, lumbar stenosis, fusion of L5-S1 in 2009, arthritis in my fingers, depression, anxiety disorder, gallbladder removed 2005 with continued stomach pain, allergies to MSG, glueten intolerance. Current meds are- vicodin 5/325, vistaril, tramadol, prilosec, ativan, and prevolite powder for my stomach.

Posted 7/15/2012 11:17 AM (GMT -5)
There is no easy way to answer that. Some people have good results from this procedure, some see no difference and in some cases the pain is worse than it was before. I seem to remember being told that it can take up to three weeks to see some difference, once all the inflammation settles. I was unfortunate in that it didn't work for me and I had to resort to surgery.

That doesn't mean that will be the case for you. If I were you I would give your doctor a ring and ask him what he thinks. Could be that your back has gone in to a spasm and you need medication to relax it. It sounds like you need stronger pain meds, if only to get you through this hard time.

I truly hope you can get some help, I really think phoning your doctor would be your best option, that would be better than worrying and suffering. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Jane
Posted 7/15/2012 12:41 PM (GMT -5)
I am not familiar with this procedure but i am sorry you are having so much pain. I am sure someone will be along with some suggestions for you. In the meantime, rest, rest and rest, maybe some ice to the area will help you.

Suzane

Posted 7/15/2012 12:55 PM (GMT -5)
Welcome aboard, Jeanie. I am also not familiar with your procedure. Sounds like it may take time for things to settle back, and hopefully ebate on the pain front. With your type of occupation, I would think you have to do a lot of bending, etc, which will continue to make you hurt. Are you in any kind of position to take additional time off work, so that you can recovery properly? Is there any kind of Physical THerapy that would help in your case?

Good luck to you,

David in SC
Posted 7/15/2012 12:59 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Jeannie....Welcome to the boards...A few questions...

Did you go straight back to work after this procedure? Is your job very physical where you have to lift anyone or do things with your lower back?

And even though this sounds funny...but did they send you to OT after your surgery?

Have you had a lot of pain since your surgery or were you doing well for awhile and then it came back?

Obviously no one here is a Dr. or can give medical advice...but we can certainly empathize with being in pain. Unfortunately for me, I had to give up my physical job after my third fusion surgery...

What are the Drs. saying as far as needing more surgery or treatment?
Posted 7/15/2012 4:10 PM (GMT -5)
It's very important to ice the site for 24 hours after this procedure and it's one of those procedures that hurts more after it's done due to irritation at the site.
It might take a week before you can feel it or it might not help much at all, many well wishes and I hope this helps you...keep us posted as we do care.
Posted 7/31/2012 11:45 PM (GMT -5)
It has now been 4 weeks since I had L2, L3 and L4 radiofrequency procedure. Pain continues to be the worst in the morning when I get out of bed, or if I lay on the couch after work. If I move my right leg into flexed position, I get this type of electric shock, that stops me from moving any further. The pain is mainly in right hip, and burns something awful. I returned to my MD who prescribed physical therapy only. Asked my to return in 3 months. I think I may have some inflammation going on, and would probably benefit from a medrol dose pack. I hate this pain. Hydrocodone and tramadol are not helping much.
Posted 8/1/2012 1:02 AM (GMT -5)
I have had the procedure done three different times (once a year) and I just had the right side done 6 days ago, the left side done roughly 3 weeks ago. The left side right now is experiencing less pain than the left side, though the right side still seems to be recovering. It took about 1.5 weeks for the left side to recover, which is longer than normal, but now it seems to be helping.

In some cases, from what I understand it can take several weeks to recover in about 2 percent of the cases. from my understanding, its exceptionally rare for long lasting complications (over 90 days +) so hopefully you are coming to the end of your complications.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply