Facet joints

[AMS_1]

Hi,I recently went to see a consultant. I have a.10 year history of l5/s1 disc protrusion. Pain has changed the last few years and has been more in the facet joints. I have had 2 lots of facet injections over the last 2 years however had a bad flare up about 5 months ago which I am still recovering from.

The consultant basically said more injections, this time to include l4/5 aswell as l5/s1 as degeneration has been found there which hasn't shown in the scan before. He brushed this off as everyone gets degeneration. (The disc bulge is still there but much smaller some residual leg pain but joint.is the source).

So 4 lots of injections in the facet joints.

He also mentioned radio frequency nerve abalation. They won't consider joint fusion has to be as part of a research trial.

I am not sure where to go from here. After this flare up I am unable to.return to work full time and now have reduced my hours. Whilst there has been improvements with time and physio it's not settling enough.

There isn't a quick fix solution and the consultant is very much we can try this or that but nothing is ever concrete.

Has anyone every had a nerve abalation? If so did it help more than the injections or for longer? Did you have both?

I am also going through the menopause and now find my flare up is even worse around the time of the month. Has anyone else experienced this? I am definitely going through a lot of changes which I don't think this is helping. Any suggestions are welcome. I have posted before andfound sharing my experiences have helped inform my decisions and a form of counselling.😀

[lupus_01]

I have had facet joint injections, nerve ablation and epidural over the years. I used to get relief for anything between 3 and 12 months. Last time I went to pain clinic I was as good as told learn to live with it. I cut my hours back at work and eventually retired early. What really helped was not sitting at a desk all day. Difficult to find a job which doesn't involve aggravating your spine.

[AMS_1 in reply to lupus_01]

Thanks Lupus thanks for responding. Agree my whole working life has involved sitting all day, and sadly I feel that reducing my hours is a start with a view to an early retirement. Did you find the nerve abalation any different to the facet injections? Do they last any longer? I am willing to try anything at this point and trying to decide whether to have the injections or go straight to the abalation (not had that before) or both?

[lupus_01 in reply to AMS_1]

I got more from the facet joint injections. The nerve ablation effects didn't last as long. I never had nerve problems with my back just stiffness and pain

[AMS_1 in reply to lupus_01]

Thank you.

[caz1967]

Hi AMS, ive suffered with a number of issues since i was 35 yrs old, i take a lot of different meds now Pregabalin, for nerve pain, sciatica. Etolac co codamol, Tramadol & a patch for pain relief. Nothing ever leaves me pain free. In the early days i had 2 lots of Facet injections never got more than a couple of weeks relief, when i was 40 my employer,, the good old Civil Service eventually after a few occupational assessments with a spinal consultant forced medical Retirement on me. It was that or be sacked for exceeding the agreed 12 days sick in a year. I found when i lost my mom the stress had a massive impact , i worsened dramatically, when i was finally checked by GP & BLOOD TESTS and told id gone through menopause entirely before i was 44,( had hysterectomy when mid 20's) result being DEPLETED I understood why id had over 12 years of fast deterioration, i also have Osteoarthritis in finger joints, wrists elbows ankles feet . virtually every joint but also have a lot of muscle stiffness, Physio's always advised the best exercise to get some relief was Swimming as much as possible. i also got a exercise bike. These 2 things along with light hand weights have done more good than every medication given also lost some of weight i put on during the time i was severely in pain, unable to walk more than a few steps . Ill never be free of my restrictions and always have limitations in walking distances, but at least i can get out on crutches for short distances not always in wheelchairs .

My advice is if possible try a bike inside or outdoors , and swimming, for half hour each session It will do more good than anything the Drs give out. Good luck..

[AMS_1 in reply to caz1967]

Thank you Caz for responding. I am so sorry to hear all that you have been through and hope you are doing OK. I lost my dad and agree that had a massive impact. I am sorry you lost your job too. For me its the little things now to find joy in where you can. Thank you for the advice I agree over the years I have had loads of different medications which help and don't help. At the moment for me it's a combination of heat, rest some stretches where I can and seeing the physio every 2 weeks. I also love walking and that is my only real joy in life when I can get out. Swimming is something I have thought about for a while so will definitely consider what you have recommended. Take care of yourself.

[wishingiwazlucky]

Dear AMS_1, I am so very sad to know that you are going through this, as for Physio this was the very first thing my G.P sent me for, over 20 years ago and I had all types of things that Physio can offer like exercises manipulation and acupuncture in my back, legs even head and none of it worked.

Got sent to hospital at Stoke Mandeville where my pain doctor gave me facet joint injections by looking onto a T.V screen again they were no good to me, even went to a Rhabilitation course where you sit round in a circle with others who have the same kind of pain, also there they tested you for how long it took you to walk a certain distance, other exercise which there was no way I could do, mental health to see if there were any problems which was a part of the programme, another hospital saw me and gave hot and cold treatment again it did not work, 3 MRI scans which showed degeneration of my spine. All of this went on over several months then I was back to Stoke Mandeville to see my pain doctor who put me on a high dosage of pain killers Gab., Baclofen, this started me off then to add to these Clonazepam, Diazepam, MST (slow release Morphine) and now for over many years I need to "top up" with liquid Morphine to keep the pain under control so if anyone shook me then I would rattle". Seriously though the problem with my spine has left me doubled over and as a result I am registered disabled and have a wet room as can not get into a bath, also have to use crutches or my rollator to walk and do my shopping online as can no longer get round the supermarkets like I did, tried it once and it was awful as many people do not appear to bother if you are slow even with my husband by the side of me, he is retired now but has been my carer ever since I could no longer do anything for myself, he has chronic arthritis and is far from well with post nasal drip too so it is a case of us both helping each other survive.

It does help if you have decent neighbours but our neighbour is an alcoholic and uses a class A drug, plays music that a teenager would and to make matters worse he has a sub woofer and a 3ft sound bar with speakers in each room, he is up all night and day because of his goings on and gives no thought to anyone even the local Police who we have called out numerous times and they have witnessed his drunken behaviour took to our housing association but he still remains in the 1 bed bungalow. and we had to move into our smallish front room to try and get away from the thumping of this sub woofer although we can still hear it although our windows and doors are closed. I am having to try and sleep in a chair while my poor husband hardly sleeps as neighbour will bang and close his barn door where he keeps his booze, we are both awake and up drinking tea at 03:50 ish then my husband will shower at 05:10 while I wait for him and do my best to make us another mug of tea, breakfast at 06:00 when the local news comes on and neighbour is still thumping away, he knows exactly everything we do and when I take my tabs at "bedtime" neighbour will keep quiet and listen when I have finished in our kitchen and start up again when the kitchen door is closed.

Sleeping like I do is extremely painful as could not turn over if I tried so pleased that I have the Morphine which I guess helps me to sleep.

So sorry to have gone on about my problems but I do wish you well whatever you decide to do.

Known as Completely-Zero

[crackers2 in reply to wishingiwazlucky]

2 r

[crackers2 in reply to wishingiwazlucky]

Hi , I am sorry to read about your bad health problems and pain. I am amazed that police is not doing anything about your inconsiderate neighbor. I too have a severe S curve scoliosis that is pressing on my esophagus and narrows it, so that I have to put my food in a blender to make sure nothing gets stuck. My back Dr. told me that ge couldn't help me and goodbye, no referral to a specialist in a bigger city. The G I dr. Won't tell me why he won't operate or stretch the esophagus.

I shed him if the reason is my kidney stage 3, and the collapsing spine, he was already by the door, and just said over his shoulder. That it's part of the reason and he was gone. He won't respond when I wanted a follow up appointment how to deal with this narrow esophagus, after two weeks I finally reached his nurse about what foods to avoid, she told me to put it all I'm the blender. No dr is telling me kabout my future about this , I suspect no one wa to to tell me that with this S curve scoliosis, that there is no help.this type squeezes the organs in time and there is no possibility for surgery because of age and osteoporosis. I live alone, I am loosing hope and anxiety is not getting.

My GP, won't recommend a nephrologist because she thinks I'm doing well with my kidney. I can't believe that I am in this situation and also hear about so much pain and among us and incompetent Dr's.

I wishe you well wishingwazlucky

, my heart hurts for you.

[AMS_1 in reply to wishingiwazlucky]

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. Take care xx