"East Side Terri” found relief for her chronic back pain at MercyOne

Learn more about pain management 

Terri Valko of Des Moines, known as “East Side Terri" from her regular guest appearances on a local radio show, has lived her life with the mindset “if you stop moving, you might as well hang it up.”

Unfortunately, in the past year, Terri’s movements were disrupted significantly when she began struggling with excruciating back pain, “I have had back and hip issues throughout my life, but nothing like this. Basically, one of my hip sockets doesn't fit right, and I have done some damage to my spine over the years. Last winter, when we had a heavy snowstorm, I decided I needed to shovel myself out, because I did not have anyone else to do it. That decision led to a big setback for me.”

Setbacks and solutions

After shoveling that day, Terri said that she could not take a step without debilitating pain in her back and down her right leg, “It felt like something was pinched. I couldn’t go up steps or put on socks and shoes. Honestly, the pain got so bad, I thought I wanted to die,” she explains. Other times, Terri felt like she might pass out from her rising blood pressure due to the pain, "I thought I might have a heart attack.”

In the MercyOne circle of care for the past 25 years, Terri’s primary care physician, Leatrice Olson, DO, referred her to a pain management specialist, Daniel Moyse, MD at MercyOne Des Moines Pain Management.

Dr. Moyse recommended a Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). RFA uses energy from radiofrequency waves to produce heat at a targeted nerve. The heat disrupts the nerve responsible for transmitting pain signals and provides sustained relief for patients, like Terri, who are struggling with chronic pain.

Terri had the procedure in mid-April of 2024, saying “It only took five or10 minutes, and it hurt a bit during the procedure, but as soon as they were done, I felt instant relief. The first day I was a little sore, but the next day, I felt so much better.”

“I feel like myself again.”

Within a few days after the procedure, Terri returned to the hobbies and routines she always loved, “I like to be busy and in good physical shape. Now that I am without back pain, I’m up to 14,000 steps a day. I go outside with my dog, feed the birds, and I am enjoying gardening again. I can even mow my yard. I’ve gone off a lot of the medications I was taking, lost weight and I feel like myself again.”

Recently, Terri started painting as a hobby as well. “I needed something to get my mind off my pain and stress, and I really enjoy it, because it is a fun distraction in my day. Dr. Moyse and some of his nurses even purchased a few of my paintings, which I deeply appreciate.” She plans to continue this new hobby and hopefully sell more of her artwork.

A great MercyOne team

Terri speaks highly of Dr. Moyse and his team, “They are all nice and helpful. Dr. Moyse never makes me feel stressed like some other doctors. He keeps me relaxed and visits with me about other things besides my medical issues. I honestly enjoy my appointments with Dr. Moyse.”

“I am so pleased that we were able to offer Terri a solution for her chronic back pain. The RFA procedure is a very successful treatment for pain in most patients with issues like Terri,” says Dr. Moyse.

Terri said her experience at MercyOne Des Moines Pain Management made a huge difference in her life, saying, “I can walk again without pain and do the things that I like to do."