Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group SI radiofrequency ablation---number 5!

On this past Friday, I had the procedure for the 5th time. If you've been around here much, you know that it is a winner for me. Takes away nearly all the SI pain for at least 6 months. A couple of times, I got nearly 9 months of relief. Essentially, the sensory nerves at all 4 sacral levels are heated till the sheath is injured irreparably. Over 2-3 weeks, the nerves die off and, presto, hardly any pain signals can reach the spinal column or brain.

Radiofrequency Ablation (Rhizotomy)

This time, it went just fine. Last time, at the end of the procedure, I apparently had a tiny bit of regurgitation, which irritated my throat. I was told later by the doc that while I was still sort of zonked by the sedation (Versed), I coughed and told them I 'felt weird'. Fortunately, they were all done with the procedure. She checked everything, held me longer in recovery, got a chest x-ray and EKG. No problems. This time, much smoother. Just to be on the safe side, I extended my fast to 12 hrs--not hard since my case was the first one on the schedule.

Still quite sore (and bruised) over the SI, but I know it will be better in a couple of weeks. Voltaren Gel is my friend. We had a huge weather front come through Saturday and our temp dropped by 25 degrees down to a brisk fall temp. Had to turn on the heat for two nights. Hate to see cold weather already. Boo.

For newbies here....if you have problems with SI pain AND you have a pain management doc, ask about this to see if it might help you. Read from the link here and see how it works. I've had it done at lumbar level and it's not worth the hassle for me. My lumbar problems need the occasional epidural (sciatica, etc). RFA doesn't do squat for sciatica. Insurance covers mine without problem, but have to wait 6 months in between.

Post about RFA-first time

This was my post about the first times I had this done. First time, doc only did one side at a time, 3 weeks apart. I spent the better part of a month in recovery mode. Begged her to do it all in one procedure 6 months later and with caution, she did. Afterwards she said I was a trouper for getting through that. Takes from 50-90 minutes on the table, depending on how much scar tissue she has to get through (from previous times). There is no limit on how many times she can do it, as long as I tolerate the procedure and she can find the nerves. Yea!

RFA, Take 2

RFA, Take 3

I know you are going to feel so much better soon. It is very sore for a couple of weeks and then amazingly so much relief.
I have been thinking of you.

My dr. always did both sides at once. I just never knew they did them any other way. My problem was waiting too long between procedures. He told me the last time that I should come in and get it done again about a month earlier. Mine lasted about 8 months.

I need a full body ablation at the moment. :o)

Did you go back to work today?

Hope you feel ok.

So glad you have this tool at your disposal and it works so well for you.

Good to know its something I could do if I needed to; right now the Humira helps my SI joint a lot, happy to say....and when that isn't working, the methylpredinsone does....and in between, still wearing the flector patch....

I can now bend 45 degrees to pick dead leaves off my plants, etc without that all too familiar pain in my SI joint.

Hope you can get back to your biologic soon as well...

But glad you have the RFA when you need that.

Here's to feeling the full effects soon

I'm right behind Rumble on suggesting it to the newbies as an alternative. I have had 7 and mine have lasted for a year. Really helps. I used a lidoderm patch the following day after the Rhizotomy and then I was pain free for a year. I thought it was a miracle because I was in so much pain. I don't have to have anymore now that I have a pain pump.

LOL, a full-body ablation. Bwahahaha.

That's why I put links to the old posts, so all the newbies would see what choices were available in pain management. Wish I could keep a lidoderm patch on my body. Glad the Voltaren Gel works so well and can go on around the clock, unlike lidoderm.

Yes Rumble. I agree. I think they the Lidocaine patches should be blanket size!!

Hope you are both having a good day.

:o)

One week since procedure, 2 Toradol shots, a round of steroids and plenty of Voltaren Gel....getting a little better on the inflammation. A bit stiff from the inflammation, though, especially at the end of the night at work. But it's nice to be back on 8-hr shifts again. Whew! And the steroids help through this no-Humira period, too.

Boy you sure have some sore days after an ablation don't you. I was only laid up for a night with the Lidoderm patch. Glad you are feeling better and happy for you that you are back on your 8 hour shifts.

It's been this way every time it's done on SI. The 2 times I had it done on all 5 lumbar levels, it wasn't any kind of a problem. Apparently, my SI is very touchy. I can feel the swelling under the skin as I rub on the Voltaren Gel 4 times a day. If I run my finger over the skin from the lumbar levels down over the SI area, there is a 'bump' up over what feels swollen. A ridge of sorts over the whole SI area. Still, it's a minor price to pay for the months of pain relief that will come in a couple of weeks, and I'd still do it again. But it's still an OUCH.