Advice back injury

I think it's disgusting you've been left as long as you have which can only lead to lasting problems

God it sounds awful I had 1heirnated disc it was bad had a op still got arm pain I can live with... they left me too long I'm in Leeds I had Mr corns get the best neuro surgeon you can keep ringing for cancellations I was seen by 5 docs before it was found good luck

Hi Bob28320. I really feel for you and the pain your in. As a sufferer myself I know how frustrating and  angry every minuet of the day.  Have you asked your doctor if there is any thing they can do for your back. If you cannot get answer it's most probable,I think you will find that the surgeons are not able to repair the awful damage you have on your spine as there is to much for them to do. They have to weigh up if an operation will be successful to get you out of pain or would you be worse off as there is too much damage to repair. If they cannot do anything then the surgeon usually send you on to pain management.

I had an  laminectomy on L3/4 in April last year as I had sever spinal stenois and was bent over and in  excruciating pain I paid for MRI and I Paid to have this operation as the NHS waiting list was 24weeks to have the operation. I was glad that I paid for the operation as was told if I had waited for the NHS to of done the operation I would of been in a wheel chair as my spinal cord was was twisted and squashed and the cords were purple and dying from lack of blood to the spinal cord  because of the blockage. The operation was successful because I could stand straight and not bent over. Unfortunately I still can not stand for long. Sit or climb stairs. I am in constant pain due to further damage to the rest of my spine. Starting with C3,4,5,6 and 7 and L2,3,4,5,S1. Disc bulges siting on the spinal neveres,thickening of the ligumentam flavar, foraminal stenosis and severe bilateral facet joints degenerative changes. So just like you there is a lot of damage in my spine The surgeon cannot repair any of it because of the severe damage. So now I read lots of books to help with my pains, I pace my self each day, I keep a diary on my days of pain and the intensity by grading it from 1 to 10 or more  and most important I do gentle exercise on a thick exercise mat every two hours just rocking and rolling movements. The latest book I bought on backs is Back Sufferer's Bible by Sarah Key's it help me understand my spinal problems and how to help myself  through the day with gentle execises.  I also take control of my pain drugs. These ideas may help you through each day. Remember the NHS moves slowly as they are dealing with so many patients every day. If you need answers then if you can afford it go privately at least to get some answers. I hate to think how you are suffering and I feel and  sympathise in what you are going through. 

Gosh, we are going through yet another change to our healthcare system here in the US as Obamacare slowly implodes.  It is truly frightening to read all of your horror stories about the NHS system.  We RV every summer and have spent quite a bit of time in Canada, they don't have nearly as many complaints as you Brits do about their system.  But, it certainly gives one pause as they are changing things once again, will they get it right this time, or are we headed toward our own NHS?

Oh and my chiropractor prejudice is inbred into all US physicians, we are taught from day 1 of med school that they are all quacks.  I did however visit one once when I had a bulging neck disc and was new to town so I had no regular doc yet, but was in terrific pain.  I got my neck cracked, I was still in terrific pain and then I had to listen to a half hour pitch about how a weekly visit would keep me from getting colds, keep my digestive system humming, etc.  When I asked when my neck pain would go away, they wanted to sign me up for more visits LOL... I found what we refer to as a doc in the box, urgent care center, where they gave me pain meds and a steroid dose pack and my bulging disc shrunk back into place in a day.  So, now when challenged I can say, yes, I HAVE seen a chiro. And I still believe what they told us in med school.