Pins and needles

Hi Jess,

I'm sorry to hear that you're back in hospital :shock: , poor you, what op are they going to do for you?

Hope everything goes well for you. Keep us posted on your recovery.

Best wishes Angela

thankyou guys. I have to say this lot are great here.

Well, surgeon came to see me earlierand explained it all. L5 S1 and S2,and L4 have ruptured and he,s going to ,fix, it by using metalpins and plastic discs. Sounded like he needed a blue peter badge, hahahahaha. I go down in about 2 hrs hopefully. he said if still having problems after, he will do a fusion.

Im hungry :roll:

have to go soon on a lot of morphine

speak to you soon.

jess. xxx

hi jess

good luck and the very best wishes for a speedy recovery, your in the right place getting yourself fixed, i,ll be thinking of yougail

hi dimps

i think maybe the consultant is playing it safe by waiting to see if the condition improves some can take many months and doctors dont like to operate unless absolutly nessesery, as with any type of spinal surgery there are risks that can be dreadful, on the other hand when someones not showing any signs of recovering (like so many on this site) it makes me sooooooo mad that we are left ridiculas amounts of time in agony, surely there is something out there to help the disabiling, and pure agony of this condition, ask your gp to refer you for physio cos it can help and the physios can help in the fast tracking to see suitable doctors if physio isnt helping, and as tfu says if you get to a point that the numbness/loss of bladder or bowels get worse seek help asap. gail

hi there

i too have had (and still have one) prolapsed discs but in my neck, i waited from oct 2005 until dec 2007 to actually have my treatment on the nhs, if i had known way back then i would have like you opted to have it done private , at least you,ll be back at work earlier i have had to take a whole year off work and now (yesterday) have at last been passed fit for work, if i,d have had the surgery private i would have only had to take 3 mths off so all the best to you just dont try to get back to work too early and rest all you can (within reason!) let us know how you get on, best wishes.gail

hi my pain buddies!

well seen my gp yesterday and i,ve been passed fit for work, she said she never seen anyone so happy to go back to work lol. So went then for my back to work meeting with my manager and team leader who were fab, only thing is (which is understandable given im a work- aholic!) im not allowed back on my team or too do double handling calls where it calls for hoists etc and can be heavy work until i,ve done a month, i can only come back on condition i start with 2 shifts a week of no more than 4 hrs per shift, then 3 shifts the following week then four the week after then they,ll do a supervised call to see if im handling the work ok before letting me loose lol so first shift is sat 7.30am to 10.30 not a good day to start but weekend work is part of my job , let you know how it goes. gail

Hi Gail,

Congratulations! You're finally going back to work, bet you can't wait. I think it might be some time before I go back.

Good luck for Saturday, I'll be thinking of you, don't over do it.

Angela

Hi Gail

I hope you also take is easy when you are back at work especially when you still have a prolapsed disc. I cannot believe that you had to wait so long for treatment. I also found out today that my appointment via the NHS was not even confirmed - it was only a provisional booking.

I believe going private is money well spent (even if it is a lot and you do not have medical insurance). However, also am aware that for others it is not an option as they may not be in a position to afford it. Especially when people in our position experience the amount of pain that a prolapsed disc(s) can cause.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for looking after us during these prolonged periods of suffering ..., e.g being woken up at night, taking us to hospital, helping is dress etc

Went for my pre-op this morning and the service was excellent. Really recommend the Spire Hospital , The Glen in Bristol.

Hope people in a similar situation to me have a successful operation. Will let you know how I get on.

Yes congratulations and please don't work too hard.

Luckily, I have been told that I can work from home for a while, after my operation before returning fully for active duty..

Hi Dimps

My experience with a prolapsed disc started in August - with pins and needles in my right foot and calf and spasms in my rear! This went on and gradually was getting worse. Eventually went and saw my GP in October and was assigned to hospital for physio treatment from November through to December.

I did not respond to the physio treatment and also tried acupuncture for pain relief. As the pain was getting worse, went back to my GP who put me on the waiting list to see the Spinal Specialist.

In January, things took a turn for the worse again.. my wife then took control (I am glad she did) and I went to see a Private specialist. We had the MRI the same day and saw the specialist again on the same day. He confirmed it was a disc prolapse.

I was advised that it should take approx 6-8 weeks for the problem to be cured naturally - but as it had been apporx 5 months and as it was getting even more painful - the only option would be surgery.. I decided to go this route and accept the risks if any. I am glad that I have as I can hardly walk now and cannot wait for my op next week.

Hope things go ok for you, but I am sure that your consultant is playing it safe. It all depends on how much pain you are in and if the issue is getting worse as in my case.

Let us know how things go...

Oh my!

I cannot imagine the pain you must have been in... I thought my pain was something I would not wish on others.

I hope the op was a success and no further complications arise.

Take care and let us know if you are alright.

Hi Gareth

Sound exactly like what I experienced. Once the MRI scan was done - things reall started moving... However I must admit - I had to PAY !!

My op is next week. Hopefully this dreaded pain will be gone and be a distant memory.

Hope things go ok for you in Swansea.

FYI - the MRI scan cost me £200. The consultancy fee cost apprx £400 and the op is gonna be approx £5k - ouch but now I believe it to be fully worth it...

Awww that's great news Gail, I can almost feel your energy from here :D I'm glad you're getting such good support from work, that's great and must be such a positive feeling to have.

Good luck with it all, let us know how you get on :D

Take care and take it easy.

Love

Jude xxx

Well done, congratulations :magic: Gail

glad to here your fit and well again it's good that you'r on short hours to start with ,remember not to over do it not don't be forget to ask for help with lifting, listen to me i sound like your mum sorry, well i think what i'm tring to say is be careful

Sorry that i've not been on for a while not been feeling :cry: great , but here's my update

going for another scan 2morrow on my neck and shoulder, followed by a brain scan, they think that my tumour in my head may have got bigger and this might be causing some of my symptoms, just what you want to here when you have tried all the pain killers in the world Sorry i don't mean to put doom and gloom on your good news

anyway i've got 2 see the back chap on may the first,and i find out 2morrow when i see the brain chap

my good news is that i am going to be getting some money from the dla

not that much but at least it's something

so take care everyone and please keep in touch

and i'll keep you all posted on my progress

chin up ams :magic:

hi swansea gaz

i too am from s/wales and been having treatment from morriston for my prolapse discs, you,ve probebly heard that swansea and bro-morgannwg are combining from apr so hopfully you,ll get your scan earlier, i had mine at the pow bridgend after a wait of 18 weeks BUT the welsh assembly have implemented new waiting times ( no longer waiting more than 22 wks for treatment from gp to surgery) so push your clininc/dept for an earlier date, on a happier note i couldnt fault the care at morriston the nurses , doctors even the cleaners were all so caring and very professional, so i do hope you,ll have a good experience (once you get into the system!!!) but do push them if i hadnt i waould still probebly be waiting for my surgery. all the best gail