Third Occipital Nerve RFA: How bad was the nerve pain afterward?
I’m 34 (F) and have been dealing with chronic neck pain for about 10 years. I’m scheduled for an Radiofrequency Ablation on my third occipital nerve, with C2 and C3 being treated.
I’m looking for honest, firsthand experiences, especially from anyone who has had this same type of RFA. I’m extremely concerned about the nerve pain afterward. My doctor seems to downplay it, but several accounts I’ve read, along with people I’ve spoken to, describe the post-procedure pain as excruciating.
My doctor has said that if I call in with severe pain, he can prescribe gabapentin and steroids. My concern is that I’ve taken both before, and they took days to provide relief. The thought of being sent home without an immediate pain-management plan, then potentially suffering through severe nerve pain for days while waiting for medication to work, is terrifying.
For anyone who has had a third occipital nerve RFA:
- How severe was your pain afterward?
- How soon did the pain begin?
- How long did the worst of it last?
- What did your doctor give you for immediate pain control?
- Did gabapentin or steroids help, and how long did they take to work?
- Is there anything you wish you had discussed with your doctor beforehand?
I’m not asking whether I should have the procedure. I’m trying to understand what the recovery can actually be like and what kind of pain plan would be reasonable to discuss with my doctor before I go through with it.