Facet injections - Back Problems Message Board

pmtest · 05-26-2009, 09:37 PM

Hello,

I had my pm monthly visit today. The pa talked about a facet injection, has anyone had one of these? If so, did it help you? I searched and found a few posts, but wanted to see if anything has changed good or bad since the injections.

Also, will I remain on my normal pain medication after this is done? I would assume I wouldnt be if it works, but in the days or weeks it may take to see if it works, will they continue me on my meds? I just do not want to have this done and am dying in pain with no meds if it doesnt work for me. It just scares me. I would love to not have to take meds for my pain, but I am just concerned they will not continue to give me anything after this procedure. Hope everyone is having a great day!!

A

kera4 · 05-27-2009, 12:18 AM

Hi! I have had facet injections done several times. They have helped, but the pain relief was short lived, since I have chronic arthritis in my facet joints. My doctor went on to do RFA (radio frequency ablation) on the facet pain nerves (nerve burning). This has provided more long lasting relief-8 months or so. I have had it redone every 8 months, and have had much better pain control over the last few years. I still take medication, but I have not had to take as much as I used to. You might try the injections-they are also a way for your doctor to pinpoint exactly where most of your pain is coming from. Hope that helps! Kera4

Jema X · 05-27-2009, 03:25 AM

Hey A,

I too have regular facet injections and now RFD. To be honest they helped most when I first started having them but less so with time and repeat injections. The RFD helps somewhat more. They often do RFD if the facet joint is shown to work.

I strongly doubt that they would decrease your meds immediately because many people have a flare of pain after a facet block. If it's a success then your meds can be dropped over time. May I ask what med you take? Some are easier to titrate than others eg. Fentanyl patch has larger drops so can be more difficult. The med drops should be at your request in my opinion because eventually the pain will usually come back up.

My advice would be to discuss this with your pm, I know (think) from reading your posts that she is a little unapproachable but honestly, I don't think I could go through with a facet block if I thought they were going to drop my meds right off. I'd also ask if they were going to use sedation, this makes the process much easier though might be more expensive, I'm not sure. If not you could ask for a script with a powerful punch of valium.

Let me know if there's anything else that I can help with. Good luck pm, you deserve some more relief.

jenj770 · 05-27-2009, 05:36 AM

Facet injections only made my problem worse, but I know others have had good results. The only thing I would suggest is to make sure it is done under twilight sleep and with an overhead Xray machine (so they get the right spot!). I understand some doctors do not use this method but personally I would not do it without this in place

kenwill · 05-27-2009, 08:50 AM

I have had a few Facet Injections, though they never helped me. When I had the first one, the doc came to the recovery area and asked about my pain level. I told him "no change", and he responded "Oh well, guess we missed it", then continued on to the next patient...Oh Well!?! If I could've, I would've slapped him!

The next patient over, who had the same injection at the same level, reported a pain level of Zero (8 prior to injection). I had Facet Injections at two different levels over time, but never felt any relief...as usual, it seems to be very patient dependent. As my first doctor used to say, "The back is complicated, so we are really just guessing here" (*Note that I did not let him perform sugery on me!!).