Back pain diagnosis

I gave up on the NHS and went privately (Nuffield) . Neurosurgeon saw nothing to use his knife on and he and everyone one else says to avoid other surgeons who usually make things worse.

How do the pupils take to their 'laidback' teacher?

Ten years since I lived in Scotland has the NHS there improved its waiting times? Here in Sussex I was quoted 39 weeks to see a neurosurgeon. Looks like something similar to see a neurologist specialising in Neuropathy so I've asked the Nuffied chap to try to speed things up... after all he had abour £450 from me for no diagnosis plus cost of the MRI.

They are use to it. My backs been knackered more often than not since 2005. Ex Volleyballer and PE teacher so kinda self inflicted. If my back gets too sore while in class I just tell the kids and they understand. They'd rather I was there than not. I've been off since Easter after my big op. Back to work in a few weeks time.

Waiting times have been drastically reduced. I waited 8 weeks to see the ortho surgeon I've had since 2007 on the NHS. Once he saw me it was 5 to get MRI, back to him for results 4 weeks later. Then 3 weeks from then to get Discogram and 1 week till results. From results of that, last week in February I was operated on April 13th this year. Everything went quick this time. My back was totally knackered. My 2nd op was done as an emergency but first op was a struggle to get. That took 18 months from first visit with same consultant till surgery. But can't fault them this time round.

I have to say, it was the nuerosurgen who did more harm than good with the emergency op. He fixed the QC but left me in horrendous pain in my back.

This op is a work in process. Won't see if it's worked, completely fit another good few months. However, the three Op's have left me with a totally numb right foot and numb left thigh. I'm still on a crutch when out and about as I can't stand still. Works going to be a challenge but they have been superb all the way through with every back op. I no longer teach PE so don't need to worry about damaging it further or again!!

Pain is not the problem for me, it is minimal but the numbness starts as soon as my shoes are on and I step outside and worsens as I walk. I cannot even cross the road to buy a paper on my own and changing/different surfaces are a problem. I get light headed when walking but am not sure if that is from my back or BP dropping due to exercise or medication or because of atrial fibrillation.

So many medications can cause neuropathy and I have stopped most of them. The last one I stopped was Losartan for my BP but I had already cut it down to the minimum 25mg dose. I doubt if it is the culprit as I have been taking if since 2001.