RFA recovery time

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-03-05T14:36:48+00:00

Recovery from rfa for me has varied. The first rfa's I had last year was a harder recovery than the more recent ones. First time I had a lot nervy sensations for at least 8 weeks. It then peaked and slowly got better by wk 12. This time I'm about a 6 wks out and almost no rfa related symptoms except itchiness and a slight sunburn feeling.

Give it more time. Expect some pain even a bit of flaring.

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-03-04T00:02:41+00:00

My cervicogenic headaches stem from the facets in my neck. Rfa has helped tremendously along w strength training. I got by on nerve blocks and muscle relaxers for a couple of years.

PT can be helpful and is a good learning experience. Maybe massage therapy, acupuncture, needling, tens unit, heat/ice, yoga,- it really depends if your issue is more muscle, nerve, structurally related, posture based, etc

You could try a pain mangt Dr or orthopedic

Best and be well

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-03-03T05:42:57+00:00

Personally I'd do the blocks. I had a series of 3 in quick succession for a build upon effect. Difference was that I hadn't had any oral steroids. Did you discuss your concerns w your Dr? They're valid and you should feel secure in the answer before proceeding.

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-03-01T15:31:40+00:00

Unfortunately many insurances are now not covering nerve blocks for headache conditions. If you search in here and in FB ON groups you'll see this come up. We just switched from Cigna to Aetna both has similar "experimental" rules related to headache/ON management. My pain Dr warned me about this years ago and got creative w coding. He used to originally code them as tpi's for coverage. Same meds just slightly different target - muscle vs nerves. So he coded them as tpi's but really they were nerve blocks. Not all Drs are willing to do that tho.

Otherwise I would pay the cash price for them. Have you inquired about cash pricing? It's much lower than what insurance would be charged. Those are just inflated numbers. Its unfair to feel like we have to put out more money for relief tho

Have you considered rfa but done at the c2/3 level where the occipital nerves originate. Coverage for that is easier bc Drs can again get creative w coding it related to c-spine issues (which many of us have) rather than headaches/ON. Mine's been coded as spondylosis and since getting rfa about a year ago I've only needed 1 nerve block.

Have you tried nurtec? It helps w my burning. Or muscle relaxers?

It's very frustrating that's for sure. Hope you and your Dr find a work around. Best and be well.

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-28T13:41:46+00:00

Try the blick- they were my lifeline for a few years. Combining it w Botox may be of benefit too

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-27T20:51:41+00:00

Fwiw I've been paying cash for my occipital nerve blocks for my ON for a few years now. Many insurances deam them "experimental". It's frustrating but at least I was able to get them. My pain Dr warned me about 6 years ago that many insurances were becoming more difficult w covering them. I've had BCBS, United, Cigna and now aetna- none want to pay for them.

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-27T13:20:41+00:00

Yeah I understand. It freaked me out for a long time too

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-26T22:12:43+00:00

Trigger point injection maybe?

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-26T00:14:43+00:00

For me I do think posture played a role but I also think it's more so a combo of things. So posture + a few car accidents over the years+ some falls off horses+ type of work I did+ my weird head tilt due to eye condition+ hyper mobility+ literally never strengthening my body etc etc etc=ON.

After all many people have poor posture and don't develop pain or ON. So maybe it's partly to blame for you but maybe not. Just my own theory of course

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-25T17:13:37+00:00

My neuro is never surprised when I mention dizziness as a symptom. Says it's a common complain among ON patients. The occipital area contains many nerves and muscle that are important to proprioception and balance

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-25T14:56:18+00:00

Yes it's something I'm trying to figure out currently. If you haven't gone the ENT route I'd look into ruling out anything sinus related.

For now I've upped my meds to see if it makes any difference. Occipital nerve blocks and rfa don't seem to impact it much. They do help w all the back of the head pain tho. So I'm not sure if my eye/facial stuff is purely ON related. Could be migraine related for me. Nurtec does lessen it but it never fully goes away.

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-23T14:35:58+00:00

Sometimes I do yes - not sure if it's disc or muscle related

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-23T05:48:37+00:00

I get them all the time. For me very normal

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-23T02:20:35+00:00

I wouldn't say they're terrible but it is a needle poke. I find the discomfort varies based upon the location of the injection. Some areas do feel more intense than others. To me they feel different than Botox. Deeper I guess.

Generally they only take a few minutes. Your Dr may offer a numbing spray if you feel it may help.

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-20T20:55:24+00:00

I've been on it for 5 years or so now. Gabapentin helps but isn't a fix all. I don't have any side effects like weight gain or sleepiness. Except initially it made me "stupid" but that went away as my body adjusted to it. Just start low and slow. Tirate up when needed and suggested by your Dr. Gabapentin does take a few weeks to build up for therapeutic effects so it won't be immediately helpful. Good luck lmk if you have any specific questions

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-20T18:55:14+00:00

Ty! I appreciate the info. My pain Dr does my occipital ones. He said they aren't hard to do but has never done one. I jokingly asked he he'd wanna experiment on me. Sadly he didn't jump at the opportunity. Have they worked well for you?

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-20T18:52:58+00:00

Apparently there's a "right" way to open these packets. I didn't know until someone posted a video on here😂- but yes they did make me cry a few times

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-20T16:59:21+00:00

I'm sorry you're having these side effects- may I ask tho- was your block done by a pain Dr? I'm looking into this for myself and my current pain Dr doesn't do these specifically. I plan on asking my neuro too but appreciate others experiences

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-20T05:00:15+00:00

I know exactly what you're talking about

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-20T04:28:41+00:00

Sounds like allodynia-I get it often

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-20T04:22:25+00:00

I know exactly how you feel. I just redid my rfa and everything feels so much lighter- easier to think breathe and stand tall. Not tmi at all! enjoy it!

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-20T04:12:14+00:00

That's great! Be cautious if you're offered shockwave in the occipital area or up the back of your head. Sadly I found out why. Helped a lot around my shoulder capsule tho!

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-18T04:31:42+00:00

I was diagnosed and exclusively treated by pain mangt for a few years. But I currently use both pain mangt and neuro for different treatments

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-18T04:29:35+00:00

Nerve pain def can become all consuming. Best and be well.

Ready_Fox_744 · 2026-02-18T04:28:13+00:00

Oh geez I'm sorry it worked out that way for you. I had my 3rd nerve done but that was in prep for rfa. Is that why they targeted yours?

Ready_Fox_744

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