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Disc prolapse, L5/S1, living hell for 18 months!

Posted , 16 users are following.

james82082
james82082

hi everyone! 

Finally ly I have at last had a result!!!

18 months ago I was involved in an RTA. Rear end shunted. I was in A&E. X-ray done, sent home with painkillers.

Over the next 10 months, I took these along with several courses of diazepam, ibuprofen, and some other anti inflamatories. Then the co-dydramol did nothing anymore. So I was started on tramadol. This did nothing after 2 weeks of agony so I was put straight onto morphine. 30mg modified release with 10mg every 4 hours for a boost if needed. I also had approx 12-18 sessions of physio to no effect.

I was then in June when I went back to the doctor for n increase in morphine, sent for an urgent MRI scan. Why this has taken nearly 12 months I do not know! I was now on 60mg of modified release morphine twice a day plus boosters!

MRI scan came and went in June. Scan apparently showed nothing wrong and my GP told me to live with the pain!!!!!

In August, I was taken to hospital in horrendous pain. I couldn't stand straight! The doctor gave me a morphine injection of 30mg to try and help bearing in mind I had already taken 90mg throughout the day!

I saw my GP the next day, he refused to get me seen by a specialist at the hospital, would only send me to a pain clinic to manage the pain! He also increased the morphine again to 100mg modified release twice a day plus 10mg boosters if needed!!! This was now a max of 240mg a day!!!! This now was disrupting my sleep, hormones and my general life.

I realised this and with the help and support of my fiancé, I reduced my morphine during the night down to 60mg and stopped the daytime boosters.

With the GP refusing to do anything at all. I thought I had no choice but to live in agony. I started the pain clinic, and all the doctor said there was, scan showed nothing so we won't even look at anything anymore!

my dad saw his doctor at the same practice as me and voiced his concerns. I then made an appointment to see him and went along. He accepted my concerns over the results of the scan after I had a false result from a previous scan on the same machine some 7 years previously on my knee so he sent a scan request. I had the scan on 4th January and finally have an L5/S1 prolapse result!

I feel totally abused by my GP. I put my total trust in him to do the best for me and he basically refused treatment! I was also told by the pain clinic that the level of morphine he had me on was dangerous. 

Im now waiting for my doctor to call me on Thursday lunchtime, hoping to tell me they can do something! I was told by one friend that because it's been left undiagnosed for so long, it may cause problems!? He has had prolapsed discs many moons ago.

 

0 likes, 55 replies

55 Replies

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  • james82082
    james82082

    Posted

    Hi everyone. Seen pain clinic today, advised of my newly discovered disc problem. Now staying on 110mg morphine a day till I see orthopedic clinic in 4 weeks time. 

    She he said they will offer me injections, but these won't fix my problem, can I refuse the injections and ask for a laminectomy? I've had enough of pain, needles and this whole saga. Just want a true 'fix'

    • rosie41358
      rosie41358 james82082

      Posted

      Ahhhh sorry to hear your troubles. I'm in a similar situation, 10 years ago i had 3 accidents in a week number 1 was falling out of a tree from 10ft high, 2nd was slipping on a stone floor landing on my bum, 3rd was a flying lesson off a horse! 4 years later i was sent for an mri apparently ' . . . Only for your peace of mind as i know it will show nothing . . . ' the musculoskeletal person said! I had 3 bulging discs and growth on my coccyx from a fracture healing itself.

      6 years later and i'm still on 2 x 6week blocks of physio a year, amitryptiline, dihydrocodeine, naproxen, and tramadol. That is all they can offer and ' . . . You need to learn to live with it because it's not going anywhere . . . ' 😑 oh thanku dr!! I am 27 and feel 97, scared of it getting worse and how worse it deteriates every year so not looking forward to next year. They say that the scar tissue in my ligaments keeps tearing making the scar tissue bigger which means the discs keep protruding. 😬

      I've given up on my gp's and can't afford chiropractor or private. But hey, i'm sure i'll have a good day soon 😀 interesting to hear your story and updates ☺

    • james82082
      james82082 anglosaxon1

      Posted

      I have 6 days now till I see the orthopedic clinic and hopefully get referred for an operation! Physio is doing nothing, pain is slightly worse, acupuncture has worn off and no longer effective sad
    • sandie-pants
      sandie-pants rosie41358

      Posted

      Hi i'm on similar tablets for my osteoarthritis but doc took me off tramadol cause it has a bad reaction with amytriptaline - just check it out xx
  • james82082
    james82082

    Posted

    Saw the orthopedic clinic today. The chap there was brilliant. He could see how much I struggled and how it was affecting life, he saw what medication I was on and agreed surgery was the way forward without a shadow of a doubt! I have been referred to a neuro surgeon now for a disectomy. apparently I won't have to wait too long!

    i was shown the scan though. He showed me the prolapse which is touching the root nerve. And then I also have a bulge pushing towards my spinal cord! Apparently I have a small canal in my spine which means there is less room for prolapse's and this is why I am suffering so badly!

    • anglosaxon1
      anglosaxon1 james82082

      Posted

      Good news, you can look forward to getting it sorted.

      I saw my surgeon yesterday (6 weeks post microdisectomy); all tikkiti-boo ,I felt good and feel confident. I couldn't thank him enough for getting me fixed. He told me the op took 20 mins and it was just a standard procedure. In fact, he made it sound like he was just taking out a spark plug.

      Obviously, to me it was a major traumatic event, but in his eyes the whole thing was a doddle it's just the 6 weeks rest and long recovery that's the problem.

      Dont worry too much James. 

       

    • MrsDCraig
      MrsDCraig james82082

      Posted

      Hi James82082 I have been following this discussion with interest. I too have had back pain for 15 months and it has taken so long to get to this point which is to have facet joint injections on Sun 22/3. It took 9 months to get an MRI if I had realised that they only cost £250 I would of paid for one months ago! MRI showed ddd at L5/S1. I have never known such pain in all my life and would not wish it on anyone. I have not been to work for 9 weeks now as by Jan this year I was physically and mentally drained, I could take no more. I am really hoping that the injections help me and give me a good few months of pai relief. I attended a chiropractor clinic for 9 months which was costing me £32 a pop, I have ow stopped this and instead attend 2 Pilates classes a week. Am also eating healthy with the aim of losing some weight. My life has been on hold for 15 months! I have been advised that if I am still in pain 2 to 2 1/2 years down the line I can have a fusion. Really trying to avoid this but I know I cannot continue as I am.  Good luck to us all on this very painful journey.
    • anglosaxon1
      anglosaxon1 MrsDCraig

      Posted

      Sorry to hear the pain you are going through. Certainly, a fusion is a more serious procedure than a Microdisectomy which I had. 

      A close friend of mine (early 30s) had a fusion and has glad he had it done, however, a passing acquaintence suggested she was in aworse position than before. But she felt she, and the surgeon should have researched things a bit more i.e. she had degenerative bones and some hip issues that werent picked up. 

      Sorry to sound obvious, I suggest talk to lots of patients and make a decision. Surgery may be the way forward I;m glad I had mine, my life is so much better now.

    • MrsDCraig
      MrsDCraig anglosaxon1

      Posted

      Hi anglosaxon1 many thanks for your reply. I hope to resolve/improve my condition without going down the surgery route. If I get a few months relief with the injections I would be more than happy to have these procedure carried out 2 to 3 times a year and continue with my fitness plan as well. Fingers crossed!! All the best to you hope you too also continue to improve. 
    • angie42070
      angie42070 james82082

      Posted

      Wow wish I was where you are!! I've been in constant pain with permanent pins and needles down my left leg for 7 years after a car accident. I have two disc prolapses at L4/L5 and L5/S1, facet joint arthritis, foraminal stenosis and an old thoracic fracture plus my latest MRI showed I'm now developing sponylothesis!! After physio, acupuncture, steroid injections then 3 years of epidurals I finally got told I could have an operation last October, and I'm still waiting!! I have flare ups that make me want to rip out my spine, I've been on all types of medication including gabapentin, tramadol, naproxen and co-codamol. But have stopped it all but the co comadol to let my brain manage it now. I've made a complaint, and phoned up regularly, makes no difference and I'm going to be lucky to have my operation before August 2015. Good luck and hope you get good news soon.
    • sandie-pants
      sandie-pants MrsDCraig

      Posted

      Oh my days i seem to be in the same position, i have been told its osteoarthritis and problems with my facet joints. Im having mri scan on 6/5 tried to stay in work but the pain is too much now. Im on so much pain relief including zomorph - but still in mad pain. Im so down cant do anything need help with all household chores and feeding the kids. Im 39 and ready for the scrap heap.
    • MrsDCraig
      MrsDCraig sandie-pants

      Posted

      Hi sandie-pants sorry for the late reply. I know how you feel I am 46 and the last year or so has been horrendous! I had facet joint injections the end of March and they have helped greatly. Still have pain but nowhere near as bad as before at least I can now walk around and do some household chores! I have started going to pilates which is also helping. I know this is not going to cure me and once the injection wears off I could be back to square one which frightens me to death! stil do not know to go down the surgery route as I dont know what benefit I will get from it, ive been advised that it helps with leg pain and I do not have this my pain is al in my back. If anyone has any advice regards to a fusion good or bad that would be apreciated! Good luck sandie-pants keep us updated.
  • johnabuja
    johnabuja james82082

    Posted

    Hi James, am a Brit living in Nigeria and once again having similar pain problems.

    2010 I had L3-5 fusion, brilliant result NO MORE PAIN !!! sadly L5-S1 now gone ! PAIN IS BACK

    Thing is that whilst I had to pay for everything all tests scans etc were done rapido, went to India where the Hospitals beat the NHS hands down and first op was $15k (about 10k sterling), am going again shortly to get extension done.

    Have you been sorted yet ? FULL sympathy mate

    • james82082
      james82082 johnabuja

      Posted

      Hi johnabuja, 

      sorry for for my late reply, for some reason I missed your comment! 

      Im seeing the surgeon on 21st so not long left. Every day is now a mental and physical struggle. Pain clinic doctor horrified me and my fiancée saying I don't need an op, just do some leg exercises!!

      ive had to begin the morphine 4 hour boosters again. Just can't take the pain! 

      Thankfully the pain clinic nurse is 110% with me and agrees totally with everything I'm doing/done. She said when I'm on the ward, tell them your under the pain clinic and they will call her me over. So at least I will get some decent support from her post op!!!

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