Facet Joint Syndrome - Arthritis of Spine - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

BlessingsGalore · 03-29-2005, 03:52 PM

Hello....I'm a Newbie here.

Anyone had Facet Joint Syndrome with or without arthritis ? Have you gotten any help ? Gotten Better ?

What did you do ?

Please share if you FEEL LIKE IT ?

Thanks a bunch.....................I'm in a mess.

Fibro, Facet Joint Sydrome, Severe Arthritis of the Spine, and all other joints, MCS, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.....is that enough ?

Lyn in Michigan · 03-30-2005, 10:49 AM

Dear Blessings

I have been diagnosed with chronic myofascial pain syndrome which is pain in your facet joints!!! I have had several injections into my epidural space (epidural blocks) which didn't take any of my pain away. I am having another series of injections right now called "medial branch blocks" which they inject numbing solution in your facets which are branches of nerves in between your vertabrae. I have had 2 sets (they are just diagnostic) and the first one seemed to take at least 60 or 70% of my pain away. The second one wasn't as successful but it still took 40 or 50% of my pain away. I had two different pain doc's. and that could have been the difference because they went into different areas on my neck. The first doctor went in on the side of my neck into C3,4&5 where my bones are now degenerating. The second doctor went in on the back of my neck. I am sure they both went into the same area because they know what they are doing but with the first one I had better pain relief. Now what they will do is go in under "radio frequency" and burn the nerves that they believe are causing the pain signals to my brain. This wears off after about an hour just like going to the dentist but it gives them an idea of where the pain is coming from if it works!! If this works it could last from 6 months to a year and then I will have to have it done again. Yes it is only masking the pain but I will take it as I have been in pain for at least 5 years with this (them not knowing exactly where the pain is coming from)!!! I have had an ACDF on C5,6,7 on Nov. of 2003 as I had bulging discs. arthritis, bone spurs and degeneration and am still in the same pain. I had a car accident (whiplash - not my fault) at 6 weeks post surgery and that has not helped me at all. In fact, I feel worse!!! So this is what they are doing now, so wish me luck and keep me posted as what they are doing to help you.
Take care of yourself.
If you have any more questions, feel free to send me a post. My neurosurgeon does suspect Fibromyalgia but my other two doctors think is is myofascial pain.
Lyn in Michigan

Lyn in Michigan · 03-30-2005, 10:54 AM

Blessings Galore
Sorry I just read your post again and wanted to let you know that I have Epstein Barr Virus and CMV virus, which are liver viruses probably caused from some type of mono that I probably have had for years and years which also causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is a chronic viral infection. I had it diagnosed by a homeopathic doctor that suspected I had it and sent me to my medical doctor for a liver panel test. It lays dormant and then when your system is low then it can flare up. I have it 3 or 4 times a year. I have no energy, my tongue is coated white, I have a sore throat, swollen limph nodes and sometimes it lasts for "months". There is no cure for that, it comes and goes but it can take a lot out of you.
Talk to you again soon.
Lyn in Michigan

BlessingsGalore · 03-30-2005, 02:54 PM

Thanks Lynn for taking the time to answer me with such great detail. Wow...girl...you are going through it big time aren't you.

I don't have to wait until Monday to see Doc, they can get me in on Friday. I am looking forward to seeing a Spinal Specialist.

That Physcial Therapy made me worse than anything I've done for this stuff.

I have had pain for years in my low back and knew it was getting worse, but in Nov., something just snapped and out it went.

Facet Joint Syndrome, and severe arthritis of the Spine.

I'm in mucho pain today with storms coming.

What kind of meds are they giving you ? Do you feel comfortable sharing ? I only have Ultram, Soma, and Lodine. Been taking Ultram for over 10 years for Fibromyalgia, so I need something better than that with this for sure.

I can't sit long at all, so I'll have to write again soon.

Thank you so much for your input......I'll keep you posted.

I hope you get better and better.

Blessings, Nancy

Lyn in Michigan · 03-30-2005, 08:09 PM

Hi Nancy

I take Lodeine too (was just switched from Celebrex) and Fosamax once a week. I try to stay away from too many pain meds. I take the occasional Vicodin, which I took today as this week is very bad. I had those injections yesterday and my neck is really sore today. My mother passed away last week and she lived in Canada (I live in Michigan) and it is about 4 hours away. It was of course a very stressful visit and funeral service and also today "was" her birthday. She would have been 84 so of course stress doesn't help.

I also take Ambien nightly as I have insomnia and I have GERD (Acid Reflux) so I take Prilosec for that. I also have high cholestorol and I take Zetia for that. Now that I think about it, I am falling apart. I am 53 years old. Way too young for all this crap!!! Sorry had to vent!!! Oh yeah and good old "Prozac". I love it when you tell another doctor that you are on that because they just think its all in your mind. I was a lot more stressed out with my pain before I started that and it has helped a lot. I don't feel any different at all taking it but I know I am a lot calmer just trying to cope with all of the pain. I am sure you know what I mean.
Please let me know how your doctors appt. goes. I will be thinking about you.
Talk to you soon.
Lyn in Michigan