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I am male 46 years old and at this moment in time am awa...

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Guest
Guest

I am male 46 years old and at this moment in time am awaiting surgery on the disc at C6 in my neck. My symptoms started some 12 weeks ago waking up with a very stiff neck. I did the usual self diagnosis & perscribed myself extra strength Ibuprofen. However after a week I decided to see my GP, who told me I was doing the right thing but may get some benefit from Physiotherapy. Six weeks further down the line I was in a bit of a state. The neck problem eased after about 2 weeks but I was left with a lot of pain in my left side neck/chest/shoulder/bicept/forearm. Linked with that I had numbness and a tingling pins & needles sensation in my fingertips. I was still working as a hairdresser at this time but it was becoming increasingly more difficult. Later I was advised that a collar (sponge) may help just worn for work. After 6 weeks physio I was told she could no longer do any more for me & advised me to get a referal via my GP to see a specialist. This was done but I was told the waiting time was standing at 13 weeks in the NHS to see a neurologist. So I went private, a simple appointment made by me & a referal letter from my GP taken down with me for an MR scan costing £635-00. Two weeks later I went private to see a consultant (£200-00)along with my scan pictures as they become your possesion after the scan. The whole process of the MR scan & consultation with a consultant took 12 days. At the appointment I was told the scan showed a protrusion into the thecal sac nerve root by a collapsed disc due to either degenerative wear & tear or an accident similar to whiplash. I did have severe whiplash from a car crash some 11 years ago but that remains inconclusive regarding this condition. So I am now waiting for an operation, I have been told by the consultant 2 maybe 3 weeks before he can get me in on the NHS. The surgery is routine, an incision in the left side of my neck where they will shave off the protruding disc. The relief is said to be instant & recuperation is about a week, some cases it is treated as an out-patient. More overly it tends to be a 48 hour procedure & you can be driving a car after only 2 days. As a point of interest I will be writing again on this site after I have had the surgery. But to anybody suffering similar conditions & with a spare £800 or so just for peace of mind, I would recommend paying privately to get you at the first rung of the ladder within the NHS for an operation. After all like we are told all our lives you can't put a price on your health.......or can you?

[i:54891e4f30]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:54891e4f30]

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I am also awaiting surgery for a C-7/T-1 ruptured disc...am having the surgery Monday, three months ago when disc ruptured was in severe pain for three weeks, after many tests, c-scan/mri/myleogram/emg/....found ruptured disc, neck/shoulder/arm pain have subsided but half my left hand is always numb or hurting, after hoping it would heal, or go away, and after chiropractic/physical therapy, etc...nothing helped..I work as a Adm Assnt and need my hand to work...so am having the surgery thru front of neck to remove disc, put in "dead bone" piece, and a metal strip to anchor...and stabilize, and hopefully will get the feeling back in my left hand...tell me if your surgery is sucessful...good luck!!

    [i:7cf3164ff7]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:7cf3164ff7]

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    This is a comment on the 1st review (46 years old male).

    My mother seems to have the same and she's having an operation on Thursday (26th Jan). I really hoped that the above gentleman would have left an post-operation review as my mother has been told that no immediate relief might be expected.

    She and I are very worried.

    Can you let us know how it went?

    Thank you.

    [i:622ec8b681]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:622ec8b681]

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi, ive been in constant pain with nausea - started Sept 04 after a minor bump - neck/shoulders/back pain lost my job through time off doctor thought i was going mad finally got an MRI scan and diagnosed with herniated disc c5-c6 - last 2 months my right leg goes electric on standing (for want of a better word) the heaviness in the shoulder region is vile, sometimes i have tingling in left arm & fingers. I cannot sit long.i limp when i get up if i have sat for longer than 5 mins - i cannot bend my knee properly - trying to get out of my car is horrible i just cannot bend my leg without the pain. - would like to know what the operation was like and the outcome.

    [i:a38e520fb1]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:a38e520fb1]

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I had a sudden sharp pain in my rt arm , this developed to severe pain in rt upper arm numb left thum and shoulder pain I had x ray in casualty and was given analgesia, I was in agony the following 2 weeks could not lay down went back to a+e to ask for my x rays as I was going to pay and see a specialist the dr showed my x rays to a consultant who immediatly suspected a slipped disk , and arranged a mri which I am wainting for in the next two weeks I have never been in such agony in my life and I am a staff nurse currently on 2 weeks sick leave

    [i:5e62388091]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:5e62388091]

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