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depression

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lesley1954
lesley1954

I have been to my gp again today, one of many visits over the last 2 months. This time I made a list of all the symptoms I have been having over the last 2 months. I am now in advanced stages of spondylosis, but was informed that surgery isn't an option for me, as too many discs are involve. The surgery would be too complex. This left me in floods of tears as you can imagine. So I suppose that now means that I am being put on the scrap heap. I was put on antidepressants,  and given phone number to ring a counsellor first thing in the morning. I go to see the specialist on Wednesday,  so no doubt I will be told the same thing by her. Seriously, not what I wanted to hear. I

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  • j91297
    j91297 lesley1954

    Posted

    Hi Lesley:  So sorry to hear that.  Seems like orthodox medicine does not always have an answer for this problem, like they do with so many other kinds of arthritis, like hips or knees.  If you dont mind my asking, what treatments has your GP tried so far, and did any of them provide any relief?  (I tried to check  your prior postings but cant seem to get that feature to work for me.)
    • lesley1954
      lesley1954 j91297

      Posted

      Hi. The treatments I have received from my gp upto now are medicatio. Ie:- gabapentin, naproxen, solpadol, amitriptyline, lyrica, ibufrofen, codeine, kspake, in other words practically everything psin wise. Obviously, not all at the same time. I have also had physio, acupuncture and cortisone injections, all of which have had hardly any effect. I have never been referred to a pain clinic. I have in the past also used a chiropractor,  but since coming out of work at the age of 42, I haven't been able to afford it. 
    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lesley1954

      Posted

      Hi lesley

      ask your GP if he/she can refer you to your nearest pain clinic if there is one? It might help you to understand your pain better i know that might sound strange but it just might do you some good it cant hurt you not to try it!! I have had all the injections every kind of medication every thing   that you have mentioned and more to no avail.If you are not working can your GP not refer you to to a chiropractor? I hope you keep posting

      jeanette

    • lesley1954
      lesley1954 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Hi Jeanette. I will mention the pain clinic on my next visit. As for the chiropractor,  I have mentioned this before and I was told I couldn't have this treatment again unless I pay for it smile
  • Gerry_the_neck
    Gerry_the_neck lesley1954

    Posted

    Hi Lesley

    So sorry to hear you're  having to deal with all this.  It's typical of many professional/patient encounters for all of us,  although in your case, because of the severity,  it probably looks like an insurmountable hurdle.  I'm a bit surprised your GP would be informing you of surgery options,  as that is usually the perogative of a specialist neurosurgeon......maybe he/she was just preparing you for any negative outcomes from the upcoming visit to the specialist.  Really, a GP shouldn't be predicting what a specialist might suggest.  Just thought I'd mention that in case the GP was trying to be helpful, not knowing the actual effect on you.

    For myself,  I wouldn't necessarily see surgery as some kind of last resort.  Although it can help some grades of degeneration,  it's not an answer to everything. Some, who've had it, resent having made the decision.  I was offered surgery 4 years ago,  but I decided to wait and see (still got an open appointment at neurosurgeons, meaning I can still opt for it if things do get worse).  In fact, symptoms improved over time...this can happen with C/S, and the research can prove it.  So, it's always a gamble with the surgery,  and worth maybe considering on that basis, rather than as a last resort.

    I know how it feels when you come up against a negative from the professionals,  but if you keep thinking there may be other ways,  it helps from dipping into something which becomes a problem in itself.  This is never going to sound right coming from someone not currently experiencing what you've just experienced....but in the long run it might resonate....hopefully.

    Gerry

    • lesley1954
      lesley1954 Gerry_the_neck

      Posted

      I was first diagnosed with cs 30 years ago, when I was 30. Over the years I have had maybe 2/3 flare ups every year. This last episode started on 4th February this year,  and has progressively got worse. It mainly affects my left hand side, but I also have a few issues on my right side. At the moment I am hsving problems even trying to sit down. I have to lower myself very gently as the pain I get, makes me feel really sick. The discs involved are c3/4 c4/5 c5/6 and c7. When I mentioned to the doctor all the symptoms I was having,  he seems to think that an artery is beinged pinched too. I have had some really bad bouts over the years, but nothing to what I am experiencing at the moment. I also have stenosis,  pressure on the spinal cord. 

      As for my gp saying that surgery wouldnt be the best thing, he was reading out the last report from my specialist, who hadnt even discussed all this with me. When I go to see her on Wednesday,  I will ask her why this was not mentioned at my last appt. This time I will be going prepared. 

  • jeanette43594
    jeanette43594 lesley1954

    Posted

    Hi lesley1954

    I think you should see the counsellor as soon as possible. As for your GP he will have some idea based on what you have told him and if you have had x-rays taken even though he is not a nuro-surgeon.I know  what you are feeling like right now as i was told just the other day there is nothing more they can do for me! Do you want to start and take antidepressants or do you want to try counseling first? Please try not to get to down i know how hard that is more so when you think you are on the scrap heap but you are not and never will be you just have to adjust your life to what you can do it will be hard at first but you will manage it. I have been there and done that as they say and still doing it!!! Remember as i say on this site it is not what you cant do it is what you can do! My consultant told me  i still have my sense of humor as i told him i am a lost causerolleyes which i am!! You take care hun and look forward to your next post     

    • lesley1954
      lesley1954 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Hi Jeanette. My gp prescribed antidepressants as I have a bit of a history. I took an overdose 14 years ago, its something I'm not proud of,  but I was in a reslly bad place at the time. I can feel myself sinking again, but don't want to go there. I woul definitely much sooner take the tablets, just to be on the safe side. I was in excruciating pain at the time with my cs, but now I think I am handling it a bit better, even tho my condition has worsened over time. 

      Thankyou for your kind words, and I am ttying, really. You tske csre of yourself too smile

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lesley1954

      Posted

      Hi lesley

      Dont knock your self up about as i have been in a few really dark places. I have had constant pain for 49yrs i am 59 now so all of my life really. but it happened and you got over it as you will again i am suresmile I am pleased you seem to be handling it a bit better you will get there but it will take time.. please try and keep positive i know how hard that can be sometimes.  take care  

      jeanette

    • Gerry_the_neck
      Gerry_the_neck lesley1954

      Posted

      Hi Lesley

      Good luck at your appointment.  If you feel that they are fobbing you off,  be prepared with a question like...' From what you've advised, I'm confused about the best options for managing my condition. Do you have any suggestions ?'.   They have a responsibility, a well paid responsibility, to advise you as best they can.

  • Arran103
    Arran103 lesley1954

    Posted

    Lesley  I really feel for you,   I too have advanced sponylosis.   Been in and out of hospital and clinics over past few years.   Now take 30 pills daily including morphine tablets and morphine liquid., also Lidocaine patches.   My condition is inoperable and incurabl,e and leaves me in pain in which I scream and vomit often having to be admitted to hospital for drugs intraveneously.   Over the years I have found which drugs suit me best although none take the pain away completely.   It is very hard to live with a condition which is so painful and for which there is no cure.i wish I could offer you some help.   Keep witing on this forum and you will get support for what you are going through and believe me I know what you are going through.   I have come to accept that my condition is incurable but that doesn't stop me getting depressed and crying.  You are not on the scrap heap. You are just unfortunate enough to have a condition for which there is no cure and very litle help in the way of pain relief.   Get your doctor to send you to a pain clinic.    Sometimes they can find the right drugs to keep your pain on a level you can cope with.   Keep writing on here,  We all support each other and can rant and know that everyone unerstands how we feel..   I understand how you feel, your pain, your feeling that you have been abondoned .   We have all had these feelings.   Just keep in touch here and let us know how you are.   We are all here for you.   Take care.   Love and hugs.

    Arran103  

    • lesley1954
      lesley1954 Arran103

      Posted

      Hi. Thankyou for your support. Today has been one of those days. Floods of tears, just wondering when they are going to dry up. Had my medication changed back to gabapentin again. Why will they not give me anything any stronger?  Maybe its because of my history, I dont know. Got my appt tomorrow,  so going armed with everything. Questions, symptoms I am having or have hsd over the last few months. I dont know what I would like to hear really, but I will try to stay optimistic. 
    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lesley1954

      Posted

      Hi lesley

      I do hope you get some answers and stronger medication. If you go armed with questions and symptoms it will help you because sometimes when you go you can for get what you are going to ask  when you get there! Sometimes it is worth writing them down they will not mind. So good luck with your app. tomorrow and take care

      jeanette xxx

  • lesley1954
    lesley1954

    Posted

    I went to my appt with the orthopaedic surgeon, and guess what, I didnt get any further. I gave her the list of all my symptoms and was told another scan was needed to see how much deterioration there has been. I am now waiting for my appt to come through. My medication has been changed again and I am now on 24 tablets a day. I have been put on anti- depressants and have been in touch with the counsellor for a appt. 
    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lesley1954

      Posted

      Hi lesley1954

      I do hope you get sorted out with everything.With a bit of luck after this scan they will do something positive!! Hope your app comes soon for the counsellor and you will know wher you stand with everything. There is nothing worse than been shunted from one place to another.So please dont get down i know how hard that can be but please stay strongsmile  stay positive and look after yourself and keep posting

      jeanette xx

       

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lesley1954

      Posted

      Hi lesley1954

      I do hope you get sorted out with everything.With a bit of luck after this scan they will do something positive!! Hope your app comes soon for the counsellor and you will know wher you stand with everything. There is nothing worse than been shunted from one place to another.So please dont get down i know how hard that can be but please stay strongsmile  stay positive and look after yourself and keep posting

      jeanette xx

       

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lesley1954

      Posted

      Hi lesley1954

      I do hope you get sorted out with everything.With a bit of luck after this scan they will do something positive!! Hope your app comes soon for the counsellor and you will know wher you stand with everything. There is nothing worse than been shunted from one place to another.So please dont get down i know how hard that can be but please stay strongsmile  stay positive and look after yourself and keep posting

      jeanette xx

       

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lesley1954

      Posted

      Hi lesley1954

      I do hope you get sorted out with everything.With a bit of luck after this scan they will do something positive!! Hope your app comes soon for the counsellor and you will know wher you stand with everything. There is nothing worse than been shunted from one place to another.So please dont get down i know how hard that can be but please stay strongsmile  stay positive and look after yourself and keep posting

      jeanette xx

       

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