Cervical Disc Prolapse
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi All,
I don't have a particular question as I am pretty clued up on everything but would just like to share my story and see your thoughts.
About 5 months ago I woke up in agony which was very different to any pulled muscle pain I have had before. I had trouble dressing, washing and doing my hair. At one point I had pins and needles in my arms but it did all settle with physio and pain relief but since I have never returned to how well I was before.
1 month ago the severe pain returned. It took me 2 hours to get out of bed and finally got to the GP in tears. She felt it was muscular but referred me for more physio and an MRI scan to be sure. The pain continued to get worse and I started taking diazepam which has been the only drug that works. I began to get numbness and pain down my arms. NSAID's do bugger all for the pain and to be honest I do not want to get into that category of someone who is a chronic pain sufferer.
At this point I was referred to a neurosurgeon. Yesterday the results of my scan came back and I have a disc prolapse in C4/C5 that is slightly touching my spinal cord.
The plan is not surgery but to try steriod injections. I have now had about 20 sessions of physio, acupuncture, used a TEN's machine (amazing!), heat, rest and I think I manage the pain pretty well. Admittedly some days are good and some are horrible. My thoughts are that steriod injections will just mask the problem the underlying unstable disc will still be there to cause trouble in the future.
It doesn't help that due to a few mess ups I don't trust my neurosurgeon; an initial incorrect MRI scan interpretation, the perscription of pain meds that due to my past medical history I can not take, his insistance that it was muscular in nature then admitted it was a disc prolapse and his referral to being of "moderate build" in his clinic letters (petty I know but I am a size 12!).
Plus he just doesn't listen to my concerns or given me any reassurance. He shows no compassion for my current situation and just smiles when I try to explain how this is affecting me. I went to him for a diagnosis and a fix and not for pain reflief advice. He also makes me feel that I am making it up. So tomorrow I am seeing another surgeon for a 2nd opinion tomorrow and I'm continuing to be having a bad week with the pain (I guess stress has not helped).
I'm 32, have no kids but was planning start thinking of a family, a successful career, a budding relationship, a very busy active life and this is ruining everything. I refuse to be this incapacitated at this age.
I must admit that the thought of spinal fusion makes me feel sick but there are some minimally invasive procedures I have been looking at that I would like to try. I honestly can not continue for much longer this way and emotionally it is knocking me for six.
I am not prepared to give up an easily as I really want to get this fixed as soon and as smoothly as possible.
Wish me luck for tomorrow's appointment 
0 likes, 45 replies
rcrayton
Posted
So it's been a fun week.
I went back to work on Tuesday and then ended up in A&E with severe pain which needed morphine. I was admitted for the night for pain control and now on regular drugs to keep it at bay. Lots of sleep and lying around.
Plan is for injections on Monday - I do hope this works.
Take care the rest of you.
Rachael x
anglosaxon1 rcrayton
Posted
Good luck!
rcrayton anglosaxon1
Posted
I have a 3 week business trip to the US in a few weeks so I hope he's right x
debbie1971 rcrayton
Posted
Let me know how the injections go, good luck xx
rcrayton debbie1971
Posted
Work said to me "so why did you go to A&E?" - so sympathetic x
debbie1971 rcrayton
Posted
Did you tell them you were doing a secret shopper survey! And the drugs passed the test lol
rcrayton debbie1971
Posted
Brilliant!
I put in a compliant about the other neurosurgeon.
I don't want anything to come of it just it to be noted that he is was pants. I feel sorry for any other patient who gets assigned to him x
anglosaxon1 rcrayton
Posted
Do you know what triggered you recent visit to A & E?
Also, how is your coeliac disease? my mum was diagnosed with it and has been gluteun free for 40 years! It was quite a trauma as it took specialists yonks to diagnose it and I remmeber telling me about the colonoscopy being a dreadful experience.
debbie1971 rcrayton
Posted
Hope work don't give you too much crap x
rcrayton anglosaxon1
Posted
However as soon as I moved or tried to stand I had shooting pain in my neck back and arms so they admitted me for pain control and I had morphine and IV paracetamol to help.
I was discharged the next day after a truck loads of drugs and physio to get me moving.
Coeliac disease has been minor compared to this. It was diagnosed out of the blue very quickly and my consultant is lovely. I don't remember the endoscopy and the gluten free diet is easy.
I believe that getting a diagnosis can be a nightmare but I think awareness is improving. I do feel for your mum though and hope she's feeling better. x
anglosaxon1 rcrayton
Posted
Coeliac; I am pleased that part is going well. My mum is just always paranoid about eating out, so the Chef always gets a personal 'grilling' before she orders; I think she likes the attention.
rcrayton anglosaxon1
Posted
Has she used the ceoliac UK website?
anglosaxon1 rcrayton
Posted
The problem is the chefs still messes things up. For example, they sometimes cook gluten food in the fryer and then cook chips and of course the gluten gets on the chips and then she gets ill.
Its funny as my dad used to say he was a coeliac too because she wouldnt cook too seperate meals!