Question On Nerve Ablation

[CaoMoo]

I had  two inguinal hernia repairs done. Following the surgeries I felt like my intestines were bruised. The doctor told me to give it sometime as during the second operation he noted the right side was bruised internally. 10 months later I have debillitating pain stabbing me in the waist and shooting into my testicles, they do not appreciate this. If I hit the spot in the shower, take the stairs, hit a bump driving it hurts insanely bad. After some diagnostic work he determined the inguinal nerve on both sides had become entrapped and suggested a nerve ablation.

I was fine with this. He scheduled an appointment with a pain management specialist, which I waited an aagonizing month for, and the specialist said no we don't do ablations because the nerve may grow back. Instead they want me to use lidocaine patches. Now one Lidocaine patches barely work on the pain in my wrists, two the area is not exactly patch ready, three even if made patch ready it is certainly not patch friendly (they barely stay on my hands), and three it will give me no relief at night which is horrible.

I have spoken to several pain management specialist and they all think I'm crazy for wanting an ablation and won't do it. My reasoning is even if said nerve grows back, it may grow back in  aless painful manner, and if not keep sending it back to the reaper it is not wanted or welcome in my groin at this time.

Is there any reason I'm being told to essentialy suck it up and deal with it by just putting a band aid on the symptom? Is this something that just isn't done? If it is done what are the possible side effects.

[CaoMoo]

I've learned never to get my hopes up already, but I firmly believe if something isn't getting better then it's best to try something else no matter how improbable. As a friend of mine said sometimes crazy works.

I'm on Nuerontin and have just started Methadone at the moment. The Nuerontin Takes a bit of the edge of the pain in my wrists but doesn't do anything for this pain at all. The Methadone might work I'm just starting it, but even at a low dose I feel sleepy and stoned so I don't know if it's going to work out. Stoned insurance agents are not good insurance agents :) but it does pass the day quicker.

I hope they find something to help you out too. Right now I think even if a bunch of things take it down a little bit the cumulative effect would be appreciated.

@mkh9
Any amount of pain or money I have to spend at this point I'm willing to. I tried Lyrica once... I was driving to my aunts in raliegh and somehow ended up in Virginia with no idea what I was suposed to be doing. Rougemont is pretty though. I'll ask about the Lamitral next time I see my doctor, I had never heard of it so it might work.  After 4 months of this I should be able to get a heck of a good job with the CIA, compared to this I could Jack Bauer my way through some torture easy. Combine that  with a terrible memory and I'm the best spy material ever :)

@Jadedsweetheart

That is an idea. I've called the Wake Forest medical center and some hospitals but Hadn't thought of UNC or Duke. I'll give them a call today. With all the calls I've made my doctor should pay me :) He already doesn't know it but when mom and dad finally get sick of me being back and kick me out... I'm showing up at my surgeons door and moving in. The way I've figured over the last few years I've paid for most of his house anyway.

[JadedSweetheart]

I'm sorry that you're going through all of this pain and getting the runaround.  I used to live just over the border on 220 in Virginia.  Just south of Roanoke and visit Greensboro occasionally.  Have you looked into going to Raleigh to maybe the UNC med school or something like that?  Sometimes the colleges have programs that do different types of surgical procedures that other doctors don't do.  
I have known a couple of people who have had disappointing results with RF ablations, but then there are those who felt it really worked, so who knows.  
I hope that if you have it done it works well for you.

[mkh9]

I know you have had several comments but I'll add mine. I'm so sorry you are having so much pain. My doctor had to argue with his orthopedic surgeon to get the nerve ablation. He finally agreed but he was disappointed because when it did grow back it was about as bad. He said he wouldn't do it again it wasn't worth the pain of the procedure. I guess I would go on some type of nerve pain killer like Lamital, Neurontin, or Lyrica. It might make you sleepy but it is better than the pain. If you haven't tryed Neurontin I would say give it a try and see if it helps. Although, I am getting off of it because I have had some visual disturbance from it. I get all the rare side effects so I don't think I would worry about that.  Good luck I hope this helps.
mkh9

[peekawho]

Neurontin might be a useful drug adjuvant to help control nerve pain.  It does take quite a while to work for most people, though.    And you have to be on high enough doses.  

I had 2 RF ablations of nerves around a couple of joints in my back  It was disappointing, at best.  Don't put all your eggs in that basket.  I did, and boy, did I crash and burn when it didn't help for very long at all.

[CaoMoo]

Okay well after I made my initial post I thought I found a doctor who could do it.
I wait two weeks after my records get sent call them up and they go oh no we don't do that. Then Why did you say you did!

So I call the surgeon back and he says well the guy who did your neck surgery can do it. Great he gives me an appointment 4 weeks away, through the wonders of cancellations I get to see him three days later instead. $50 and 3 hours later the guy says no we don't do that GRRRR!  The doctor who does cortisone injections on the spine there cannot or will not do it either.

Getting desperate I contact the local OBGYN who had an article online on how they have done this proceedure on women with the same entrapment. They cannot help me and refer me to the Dr. Who did the hernia surgery in the first place.

Nobody in Greensboro, NC seems to be able to help. So I've contacted the surgeon let him know how incredibly ticked off I am, and have started looking into other towns.
I know I can't be the first person in this city to have ever had this problem!

[CaoMoo]

Thanks for all your help.

[sandee1818]

Surgical procedure: the steps.

The procedure is performed under live video X- Ray to constantly verify the position of the needle.
A needle is inserted through the back and an electrode is then inserted through the needle.
Radiofrequency current is sent through the electrode to the tissue causing the tissue to heat.
The nerve is temporarily deactivated, as well as the pain signal.


Here is a short video on the procedure...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xPKpi0ILJw

Here are some links also...
http://www.paincaredocs.com/RadiofrequencyAblation.ivnu

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/radiofrequency-ablation-for-chronic-pain/zx3505?msc=ehdlp_nerve-ablation&section=section_00

This is just a couple of links I have found. I hope this helps.
I will look further later as I am about to leave to go to my Son's.
I will research this and find more information and post them tonight:)

[CaoMoo]

Links would be great. I have been making calls all day. I might have found someone who will do it. Just need to wait 2 weeks for my doctor to get back from vacation for my referal.  

[sandee1818]

Hi,
I am so sorry your going thru so much pain and having no relief in site. There are Doctor's that will do the procedure. My Dad had one and it worked well for him. I would just keep looking for a Doctor that will help. I assume you have done the research on it and know what it involves.
If this is something you think will help you then do not give up.
We know our bodies better than anyone. I know what you mean about the lidocaine patches. I use the sometimes and they do not stay on. I use medical tape around it to keep it on because otherwise it just rolls off.
I am sorry I cant help you more. I will provide some links for you on the procedure if you would like:)

[CaoMoo]

And on a side note whoever invented speedbumps... is now my nemesis.
No matter how slowly I go over them they cause the pain in my groin to flare up and my neck to start aching where they did the disk fusion, which will usually send me to migraineland.  Why did people ever invent speedbumps?