Is there hope?
I’ve been dealing with back pain for the last 5 years that really comes and goes, and particularly flares bad when I travel. Last year I finally decided to go to the doctor about it. I had been avoiding it because everyone told me that nothing could be done, but finally decided to try.
MRI determined I have a herniated disc and something is in contact with my nerve root. I sometimes have shooting pain down one or both legs, but most of my pain is in my low back. Bending forward is comfortable and bending backwards makes the pain quite a bit worse, which I guess is unusual for a herniation. Walking a ton makes it hurt pretty bad foo.
First round of injections failed, and now my doctor wants to try a radio frequency ablation. My insurance required another 6 weeks of PT, which I actually think made my pain worse. My physical therapist thinks that most of my pain is actually in my facet joints and not the disc herniation based on where the pain is and what makes it worse.
I’m starting to feel a bit hopeless. Is there any chance that a RFA is going to help? If it doesn’t, what else can I try? I’m 25 and terrified that I’m gonna be dealing with this pain for the rest of my life.