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27 year old with prolapse disc and degenerateive changes

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S123456
S123456

Hi

I'm really after some help, I'm 27 and 6 weeks ago after an MRI after experiencing terrible lower back pain (unable to get out of bed, numb legs and lack of sensation to urinate) was given an emergency MRI.

The results of which although unusual for my age were reassuring, I was told I had "degenerative changes in the lower 3 levels, with high signal in the annulus at L3/4 and a central disc prolapse at L5/S1 with significant spasm from the mid thoracic area to the gluts"

I've been prescribed various pain relief (naproxen, tramadol, diazepam, paracetamol) which has all been hit and miss as a cocktail. I've lost my appetite and had some sickness and a definite lack of energy. I've lost around a stone and Im a size 8 so don't really want or can afford to drop much more.

6 weeks on the pain in my lower back and legs is still present although I can mobilise much more. I've also noticed my left arm, neck and upper spine is also in agony now so my pain specialist has requested a full spine MRI (rather than just lumber like last time) this week. The other notable thing is that my reflexes are very overactive.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Previous to this I've always been healthy and never suffered back pain. Would love some help?

Thank you.

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • minnie4
    minnie4 S123456

    Posted

    Wow at last a benefit to having these issues.  The NHS would have saved a fortune on gas and air when I had my babies had I had your issues 😀

    Well it it sounds like me you work for the badly under funded service and one part of you understands the necessity for cut backs while the other doesn't.

  • minnie4
    minnie4 S123456

    Posted

    I often read back over the advice given and the probably unintentionally hypocritical unwarranted remarks and use them to stay strong.  As John said steer away from depression.  Problem is when Anne suggests challenging the right to have a reclining chair to sleep in as I have now reached the stage of it being dangerous for me to attempt climbing stairs to get to bed and being told it had gone to a special meeting for them to decide and it was refused on the grounds they couldn't warrant the expense.  Fab I will continue dragging myself up stairs with my mobile phone on fast dial taped to my head and when I fall and finally break my spine no doubt the expense of the paramedics, ambulance staff, a and e team, X ray team, surgeons and surgery time and after care will definitely be a lot less expensive than a chair for me to sleep in rather than take the chance of falling.

    the comments that disc and back issues are caused by bad posture or over doing it in the gym with the wrong type of exercise, none of the people I have met on this journey in anyway remind me of gibbons in the way they walk although they could be swinging from rope to rope during their spare time as I don't socialise due to the pain level I couldn't be sure.

    to the poor lady who visited me and fought valiantly no doubt to get me a chair to sleep in and the important people who no doubt sat in a comfortable office with an expensive table and chairs within a highly expensive building .......yes I know where it is, the cost of your meeting to discuss my case alone would outweigh the cost if a reclining chair. I wasn't asking for one with a massage facility or drinks holder so I could spend the day playing shoot them up games on tv, I didn't care whether the colour of the chair matched my existing furniture I just wanted to sleep at night the same as other people.

    to the social services who suggested counselling for depression when I cried due to pain, no I don't have depression I have frustration due to the lack of care I am receiving and the length of time between appointments and the lack of activity at these appointments and the lack of follow up - a telephone call doesn't cost much.

     But then you think of all those fabulous private car plates in the permit holder only car parking spaces usually outside their departments so they don't wear too much leather off their beautiful shoes getting yo their obligatory two day a week contract with the NHS before sauntering off to their private practice - gosh we are so lucky to have these important people to spare the time to peer over their desks at us for our ten minute appointments that we have had to wait two hours over our appointment time to attend.

    who to thank?  The apologetic receptionist who is genuinely concerned that you are at the point of screaming with pain, the nurse who holds the sick bowel so the surgeon doesn't get splashed while you hurl your guts up as he is telling you your condition us nothing to worry about - the same nurses who you see piling their pittance of a salary into the parking meters like they are playing in some casino with no chance of winning the prize.

    is it any wonder nurses are leaving the NHS and taking better paid jobs with sociable hours with much less responsibility in the local supermarket where they get free parking while the NHS say there is a shortage of nurses and nurses who are unable to speak English are employed and given English lessons on the NHS budget to fill the gap?

    ive enjoyed my rant this morning which has taken much time to type as I am now down to one finger with the others losing sensation.  If you don't hear from me for a while I'm sure you can guess what's happened but at least while signed off I may be able to go on a free course and retrain.  Any suggestions?

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