Facet Joint Disease?

I hope that this might be your answer!

I am new here, but I found your post and sounds exactly what they made me do when I first went in. The did the facet joints and I had no relief, I don't believe that is where the pain is coming from. So for me it did nothing, but neither did any of the other injections, burning of the nerves or epidurals. I am at my wits end and so frustrated and depressed about it and don't know what else to do. Sorry for rambling on.
I do know that when I had it done it doesn't really hurt, you are just stiff and sore afterwards.
I hope this works for you and you are no longer in pain.

Thank you for sharing kat, and welcome! I appreciate it. I go in for the facet joint injection tomorrow. I am axious, but not very hopeful because other types of injections they tried before did not help. But, this is the very last thing they can try - aside from a spinal implant - which I don't think I even want to try. I've tried everything (surgery, chiro, PT, acupuncture, injections) but nothing is working. Take tons of meds which provide some relief, but not nearly enough. Is it your neck? back? What is your injury/diagnosis?

I have 3 bulging discs, from L3 to L5, SI joint problems, hip problems and bursitis. I have had so much done and every doctor says well I didn't do those injections so lets start all over again.

Did you hurt yourself or was it just something that came on suddenly?
How did the injections go?
Hope all is well and wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas! God Bless you!

Hi Kat, It started in 2007 with C6/7 HD. It just came on. Had a fusion surgery. Then another HD at C5/6, had another fusion surgery. Pain has never gone away. They just kept increasing pain meds, and now meds aren't helping anymore. They did a medial branch nerve block in facet jt nerves, 3 levels. It helped! But it was temporary. It helped for about 5 days, now pain in backl. I see dr next week to see if she wants to do the 2nd part to burn the nerves. It depends on if the 1st part gave enough relief.
I had a major car accident 20 yrs ago, but don't know if that caused this or not.

I am having the burning the nerves thing done this afternoon. I'm flat out scared. I've had all of the injections, etc, and to me, they all hurt like hell. I can hardly force myself to stay still on the table. It feels like at the dentist when they touch a nerve, and I'm terrified. From what I've read on the internet today, they will do 2 needles for 2 minutes for each of my 3 facets that cause pain, and I just don't know how to handle it. If anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. I take Xanax before I go, and this time I'm taking a muscle relaxer too.

Oh, the worst part is, the doctor and the nurses think its funny, as do the people I work with. I have to hide my terror or it will just give them all more fuel for their hilarity. I just can't understand that, and to be honest, I think it makes it a lot worse. Any words of wisdom?

Hi Kim, By the time I read this, your procedure is done. Pleae tell me how it went. I'm so sorry I didn't see your message yesteday. I felt the same way during my nerve block injection. I wasn't really scared before it, but when I layed on table in operating room, a fear and anxiety came over me, I was crying like a baby and couldn't control it. I couldn't stop crying. Then, something amazing happened. I had a vision of God. Seriously. I know it sounds crazy. But I did. He came, I saw him, and he relaxed and carried me through the whole procedure. They did 3 levels, and each time they put needed in a level, I grabbed on for Him and he helped me relax. I'm sorry I did not see your message sooner. Please let me know how you are. How it went. and how you are feelin today!!! Sending prayers and hugs to you!

Kimberdamit,
How did your procedure go. Any relief yet?

YES I had it done on my neck best decision i have ever made. Got an entire year of relief. The procedure itself was less painful than any injection in the spine I have had and I have had alot. If blocks work for you I would try it.

I have the same Facet Joint Syndrome and have had many facet joint injections that only made things worse. I did however have a Medial Branch Nerve Block about 6 years ago and it helped so very much, the pain that went from the facet joint area to behind my shoulder blade no longer shoots up behind my shoulder blade! Hope that nerve doesn't grow back...