Rhizotomy

I had 24 spinal epidural injections (8 injections in a series of 3 visits) last fall (2009).  After the 3rd set, I finally felt some relief.  A couple months ago, I started to feel the effects wearing off, because the pain wouldn't recover after a day's rest, etc.  Dr. Stein had already told me that he wouldn't do any more steroid injections because when I got older (menopause), steroids would cause bone loss.  He told me the next step of pain relief is Rhizotomy. 

Rhizotomy (in layman's terms) is taking a needle and with the guidance of a portable xray, inserting it near the spine, in the same areas (L1-5 & S1) as the steroids were injected, and turning on the radio frequency to burn the nerves so that it doesn't send a signal to my brain that I'm in pain in those areas. 

This is not permanent, but can last anywhere from 2 months to 2 years.  The average is 6 months.  I got my left side done yesterday, and it will flair up for 2-3 days after the procedure, then settle down.  In two weeks, he is going to do my right side.  I hope this relieves my back pain.  I wish it was more permanent, but at least there is alternative procedure for pain relief to medication all the time (I hate taking pills and think they're just a band-aid, not a fix).