Bilateral facet block

[LadyDJ]

Hi all, has anyone had bilateral facet blockers? I’m having them in my L4/5 and L5/S1 next week and was wondering if anyone felt any pain from having them done. Do they work and how quickly?

Thanks

Diane

[Luca4me]

Hello,

I have had several. You will usually find the injections painful, so practice feel breathing beforehand. Sometimes you feel worse for a couple of days, but as the steroid works gradually, if it is done properly, you should get a good level of pain relief for three to six months. The added bonus is that it frees you up to do other activities that you couldn't do because of your pain. Hope this helps x

[LadyDJ in reply to Luca4me]

Thank you so much. Luckily they are giving me sedation whilst I have the injections so I won’t know anything about it! I’m going on holiday 5 days after the injections so I’m hoping I feel much better by then xx

[Luca4me in reply to LadyDJ]

You should be fine by then, and pain free, hopefully, to enjoy your holiday. Good luck x

[Markyboyb321]

Didn't work for me . Was exactly the same after . Now booked in for surgery so hopefully that works .

[mikewilliams]

LadyDJ.

Yes, I have had x2 and Guess what !! they work

and with me it lasted 6 months approx

Hope it work`s for you too LadyDj

[LadyDJ]

Hi all, had the facet blockers yesterday and spent all of last night having hot flushes which is apparently pretty normal. I’m now waiting impatiently for the steroids to kick in 🙂

[Tutumama in reply to LadyDJ]

You were very lucky you were sedated for them! They can be pretty painful while getting them, I usually have 3 done on each side at a time with no sedation of any kind.

Since I have Degenerative disc Disorder and have had 2 operations on my back, they typically don't work for me and didn't before both of my surgeries either. I've now been switched to the epidural nerve blocks which seem to help a lot more and I'm not in as much pain, it's bearable now for the first time in years!

How are you feeling now?? Hope your holiday went well!

[LadyDJ in reply to Tutumama]

It’s been 4 days now and I don’t feel any different. I have this sinking feeling that nothing will happen now and I will just have to spend the next 5 weeks in pain until I get to see the consultant again.

[Tutumama in reply to LadyDJ]

Sometimes they just take a little longer to start working. If this was your first set, I would give it a week at least. Try walking more and drink lots of water. Don't bend, stoop or twist. This is the info they've always given me.

The good news is that you can usually get them every 15 days (with most insurance) if it hasn't worked this first time. Sometimes it takes 3 times doing this type to get some relief unfortunately.

Do you have a herniated or bulging discs in those areas?

I've had surgery on all of those bc L5 is usually the one that gets the most pressure on it when we sit. Mine is an ongoing thing that's been happening for 9 yrs (it hurt all of the time before then but I waited too long to get treatment). I didn't realize I had degenerative disc disorder until then.

There is hope though! If you're not feeling any better after about a week and half from your surgery, call your Drs office and see if they can go ahead and set you up for the second round. I prefer to be awake bc I can tell them when they've hit the right spot, even as painful as it is....I know they're getting the spots I need them to.

Best of luck!

[Taylorsunshine]

Hi, yes I've had serveral facet blocks (L4/5-L5/S1) over the last 2 years. My insurance only allows so many per year so I try to save them for when it becomes extremely painful to walk when my sciatica flares up. I usually get 1 injection & then follow up with another 1 a few weeks later. I sometimes feel better within a few days. I choose to not get the sedation because I want to drive myself home. There has been a few times when I wanted to come off the table but that seems to only last less than a minute & then it eases up. My Dr does give me a numbing shot 1st & that seems to help me. I have noticed the more inflammation & tightness I have in that area, the more painful the injections are. Do as the Dr says (no food/ drink w-sedation, certain medications can't be taken that morning) & take it easy the rest of the day after your procedure. Try to stay positive. Good luck & I hope you get some pain relief

[Bridgenov]

No they don't hurt you just feel a warm sensation. I have them between back surgery to relieve my sciatic unrelenting pain at back of legs, which in one months time I hope I won't have any longer.