I had my procedure in my back today...OUCH!!!!!

@bjc66bjc (6730)
United States
October 25, 2012 8:28pm CST
After my 14 test injections in my back about a months ago, today was the day that I had my Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation, burning the nerve in the left side of my L3, L4 and L5,,,It hurt me so so bad.. ..I had to keep repeaing to myself..."I AM A TOUGH OLD COOKIE". over and over... I asked the doctor to show me the needle after the procedure and he did. Wow it was 5 inches long witha steel tip, why did I ask to see it...I almost passed out LOL But it did hurt when he injected the needle and touched my bone. OUCH,,,I never knew the bone had feelings...call me crazy but I didn't ever think they did.. Anyway he inserted the needles, then adjusted them, OUCH, then connected this machine to each needle one at a time where the nerve was heated and burned the nerve,,,OUCH...for 90 seconds on needle at a time.. I was certainy GLAD when it was over...I did have tears in my eyes, I wonder why?? I have to go back for the right side to be done...OUCH...
5 responses
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Oct 12
I'm just cringing reading about it. A lady I use to work with had similar (not sure if it's the same), she goes in for surgery , and get's needles in her neck though. My cousin has had siimilar problems from a workplace injury. I would be asked to knock me out, such as the time they had me awake for a colonoscopy. That was the first and last time let me tell you.
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
26 Oct 12
Yes I can understand the cringe,,,so was I...I had a colonoscopy and was out completly for that...this prodecure was just preformed with local numbing...he kept giving me dumbing injections because I was feeling so much...he got to a point where he said he could not give me much more because I would not have been able to move my leg, then I really would have FREAKED OUT...so I just bit my lip helded my breath and took the pain...OUCH!!!
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Oct 12
I think that's why they don't usually show the instruments before the procedure . I remember for my second colonoscopy they kncoked me out, but nothing was working they had to keep giving me more and more. I think some procedures you can still feel it like a preassure, or similar feeling even after being numbed.
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
26 Oct 12
Oh yes doe sure...the pain I was feeling yesterday was a lot of pain in my hip, side, back and stomach all at once... I was actually lying in position when I asked to see the needle after the procedure..He asked if I wanted to see it before he started and I quickly said "NO"....but I definately wanted to see the needle...
@celticeagle (167019)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Oct 12
This sounds like true fun. Not! Ouch! Is right. I don't think I would have wanted TO SEE the needle after the presedure. Your vertabraes have nerves around them and they give the bones feelings. Or what you thing are feelings. Why was there a need to burn the nerves? So you would have so much feeling in them?
@celticeagle (167019)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Oct 12
It sounds like a real rip roarin' good time. NOT!
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
26 Oct 12
they had to be burned because when I had the test injections about a month ago in those same nerves where he numbed them to see if I could get any relief and I did for about 7-10 days. so he elected to burn them which wll last for about 6 months then they will have grown back and it will have to be repeated again... Oh yes I am not squimish about those types of things..I knew they had to be long to reach all the way down to my spine...
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160697)
• United States
26 Oct 12
I certainly hope that this extreme treatment will be effective at stopping your back pain. You are a tough old cookie. . . I will hug you gently so that it does not hurt.
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
26 Oct 12
LOL, thanks so much Gerty, I could certainly use a gentle hug right about now,,,My grandson just left and went home he just gave me one and told me "I Love you Nana", and it made my night....
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Oct 12
oh my god just telling me about it hurts
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
28 Oct 12
It was a real doozie...thanks for responding...
• United States
28 Oct 12
Wow! You are tough! Especially after looking at the needle, knowing you have to go back. I'm not familiar with this procedure, but wonder if the doctor could twilight you (mostly just sedated, but less likely to remember) or some other type of anesthetic in order to lessen the pain. Either way, good luck on the other side! I hope everything goes well. :)
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
28 Oct 12
hi tistangent, I asked just to satisfy my curiosity because I knew it to have some length to is... But I can not sedated even to a twilight out because you have to be able to communicte with him during the prodedure... But I am keeping my mind of the good out come,,,