7 surgeries/treatments in 18 months and still in agony
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Hi. I'm 29 years old and have suffered back pain for over 19 years. Nothing caused the back pain it was a gradual on set from my old job as a dental nurse. After years of chiropractic treatment I eventually seen a GP and had a MRI. I was advised I had prolapsed L5/S1 and required a nerve root block. I used my private health care through work prior to getting this treatment and was advised nerve root block would never have worked and luckily I had a discectomy 3 days later. Pain was manageable for 6months but both back and leg pain came back with vengeance. I had a nerve root block to try help the pain this did not work so I had a re-do discectomy. This did not work so I was given another 2 nerve root blocks which again gave me no relief. I was then referred from neurosurgeon to pain management. I had a failed caudal epidural and a failed dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency leison. I have now been advised I require a SCS but cannot be given this privately. I have began my referral to NHS pain management however I am based in Northumberland. I would have contractually been referred to the Wansbeck hospital in Ashington however they do not provide SCS. A hospital only 12 miles away from me in Newcastle, the RVI does provide the SCS. I have a referral for the RVI but the GP who referred me has advised as I am based in Norhumberland even if I was suggest to have SCS on NHS the treatment would be carried out in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland may not fund this. I am extremely confused as I may not be able to get treatment privately or on NHS and this leaves me with a stick, on meds and in bed 90% of my day. I am desperate to return to work and have some normality. Can anyone help please?
0 likes, 7 replies
jayneki
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fi03229 jayneki
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I also have problems with L5/S1 disk but I am unfamiliar with the abbreviations used?
jayneki fi03229
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drinxs jayneki
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I am not familiar wth you condition but I have had a recent laminectomy operation on my back.
I got a 2nd opinion from my own hospital to another NHS trust, which is where I choose to eventually have my op.
Long Story short, a new ruling came out in April 2015 (so recently) that you have the right to chooose you NHS hospital of choice for your treatment (GP's will not tell you this- I found out through my own research). Google this topic or go on NHS website- although its so confusing: I found the article on line through a report done by Independent newspaper).
Good luck, if you still cannot find it let me know and I will have a look for you.
jayneki drinxs
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drinxs jayneki
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If SCS is what you need and Nort'land does not provide it all the more reason and greater case you have to be referred elsewhere. Research best place for this procedure and ask to be referred there, if they say no state this is your right (got to push all the way, take control- its your body, I had to and it is only way through the'Maze")
jayneki drinxs
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