Go Back   ISPINE.ORG Forum > Main forums > iSpine
FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

iSpine Discuss 4 level Bilateral Cervical Rhizatomy in the Main forums forums; I had a 4 level bilateral Cervical Rhizotomy, C3,4,5,6, almost a week ago! These eight nerves are ...

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2014, 01:46 AM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
Default 4 level Bilateral Cervical Rhizatomy

I had a 4 level bilateral Cervical Rhizotomy, C3,4,5,6, almost a week ago! These eight nerves are really pissed off and screaming! I'm having a difficult time dealing with the pain! I pleaded with my doc to give me something to take the edge off! I was surprised he gave me a prescription because my docs don't seem to give out pain meds. In the last couple months, I've had two Medial Nerve Blocks and the Rhizatomy, in hopes to be pain free. Does the pain really go away or am I just fooling myself to think I'll be pain free? Anyone know the percentage of this procedure working? My doc has only given me 10 days worth of pain meds. I really doubt he'll refill the prescription!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2014, 04:48 AM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: arizona
Posts: 256
Default

I don't know enough about those procedures to answer your questions, but I am surprised that your doctor didn't give you that information so that you could make an informed decision. You sound really miserable with pain. Please call your doctor's office and let him know!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2014, 04:52 AM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: N. San Diego
Posts: 255
Default

Sorry to hear you're in pain. I've had a couple of rhizos at L5-S1. They didn't give me more pain but I couldn't really tell if there was relief. I stopped getting them. It wasn't worth the effort.
__________________
Jim

2003 L5S1 Charite
1981 L5S1 Discectomy
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2014, 01:17 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
Default 4 level bilateral Rhizatomy

The doc told me to give it a week to a week and a half for these nerves to die, but I can't see this pain just disappearing over night! I was just wondering if anyone else has be experience this procedure and if their pain really went away! Thanks for your input though!
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2014, 04:02 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 6
Default

If the pain didnt decrease with the facet joint blocks why did your doctor do an RF ablation?
__________________
43 yrs old
1995-Hurt LB at work
1996-MRI Right disc fragment L4-L5 had discectomy
On/off back pain, no serious leg pain till 2007
2007-MRI Right herniation L5-S1, recurrent small herniation at L4-L5
Leg pain unbearable
2008-June had discectomy L5-S1
Cymbalta 60 mg since 2012, occasional aleve, refuse opiates
Present-LB pain not debilitating but chronic, muscles always tight/stiff, back burns while sitting, better standing, exercising and always moving helps
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 08-14-2014, 06:52 PM
mmglobal's Avatar
Administrator
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,511
Default

OK.... it's Antsy Lady.... I was wondering what the name "Auntie's Lady" was about. I should get new glasses!

Welcome to the forum! Sorry you are still suffering.

I have a bunch of questions, but I'll bet that you won't get any answers from the doc until you waited out his 10 day 'be patient' period.

Any improvement in the last few days?

Mark
__________________
1997 MVA
2000 L4-5 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy
2001 L5-S1 Micro-d/lami
2002 L4-S1 Charite' ADR - SUCCESS!
2009 C3-C4, C5-C6-C7, T1-T2 ProDisc-C Nova
Summer 2009, more bad thoracic discs!
Life After Surgery Website
President: Global Patient Network, Inc.
Founder: www.iSpine.org
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 08-15-2014, 07:42 AM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6
Send a message via AIM to LanceK
Default

I believe I heard or read somewhere that post-op pain in cervical rhizotomies can take a little longer to diminish than in lumbar procedures.

I'm going in for a 4-level bilateral lumbar rhizotomy in early September and am not necessarily assuming I am going to have the dramatic and immediate relief that the diagnostic medial block provided from the moment I left the doctor's office.

I am hoping for at least six months of that degree of relief, however, when all is said and done.

I hope things work out better for you soon.
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 08-16-2014, 06:54 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
Default

pittpete, my pain did decrease from an 8 to a 4/5 for the first medial nerve block, but then my pain came back with vengence a couple hours later. For my second nerve block, my pain did decrease as well, but came back gradually throughout the day! That's why my doc thought I would benefit from having a Rhizatomy! I just want to get better, but I think I'm out of luck! Not sure if there is anything else I can do but to just live/deal with it!
mmglobal, Antsylady comes from my name Ann, C, Lady because I'm a women! My son thought it up for me. Thanks for all your responses!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT. The time now is 01:34 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.