19 days Post Op for Cauda Equina

Hi,

I am now 19days post op. Its a long one to tell, but have been, as I know now,after talking to the Cauda Equina Support Group, a few days prior to admission to hospital,that I had several 'red flag' symptoms, alot longer before the GP's, Ambulance services and hospital listened to me!

To say the least , the pain is something I cam.only describe, as off the point of scoring!

I had a Microdisectomy back in 08 and it was amazing relief! For a few years I had complete bliss. Then the pains started to niggle and I just pit up with it. When it got to the point of no longer being able to cope with normal over the counter meds, I went back to GP. I was pushed from here to there and every bloody where! I was completely fed up! Thinking of the pain, makes me feel frustrated that I put up with it for so long. Then things started to change. I started to get numbness, tingling in one leg then it would switch back and forth to both and then finally to both. I put the constipation down to meds and even not urinating as i should, even though i was drinking lots of fluids, due to meds making me very dry mouth.

In July/Aug i had 5 ambulances called and two visits to a&e and still no one listened. I saw my orthopaedic fellow at hospital who told me i was exaggerating the pain!!! This was the Thurs prior , a week prior to admittance! Repeating myself was getting boring and very tiring. I saw my GP the following Wed, who sent me to a&e with a letter to see someone from orthopaedics. This woman couldn't examine me as i couldn't lay on the bed. I had to have a rectal examination and she said all was fine and not worry unless I practically messed myself. I asked why, and she said if you do, then you would be rushed to John Radcliffe having emergancy surgery. Still nite, no explanation apart from she would make it her priority to get me an emergancy MRI . Which i had on the Fri. I phoned on the Mon and that was a waste of time as there was a problem finding it, let alone being able to open the file.

The next day i finally called someone at CES and told them all and they said i had and was displaying 'red flag'. I called my GP surgery and got a call back from another GP and explained, again!!! She told me she was writing a letter for my husband to collect and to go to a&e again! I was admitted. That was the Tuesday, on the Friday i had an MRI and that afternoon i was in surgery. I have still had no explanation as to what Cauda Equina is and what its about? Everything i know is from what i have read. I was supposed to have a 2week follow uo appointment, but have one for nearly 4weeks. Can anyone explain if they have had similar circumstances?

Thankyou for taking the time to read and i look forward to hearing from you.

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