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Lower back pain and vain problem

Posted , 4 users are following.

cath65158
cath65158

 I've been having lower back pain in L3, L4 and L5 area of the spine for the last 11years, ever since I was in labour with my daughter. During the natural delivery of my daughter I felt something snap in be back :-( every since then the pain has been there and becomes difficult to starighten my back once I've been bending over the bath etc...

 I still have trouble with the pain to this day.  The pain is now also to the right of my L5 of the spin area and seems swollen compaired to the left side. My partner has had a look and his noticed that I also have a dark blue vain showing up, almost like a varicose vein.

 I have been to see my G.P a number of times but I seem to be getting ignored. On the last visit I asked for a scan to be done and I was refused :-(

 I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what going be going on?  Thank you in adcance x

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • archemedes
    archemedes cath65158

    Posted

    Where spinal problems are concerned I feel it is essential for suffers of long term conditions to have the benefit of a scan.

    As your doctor has refused this have, you asked him for an explanation for his refusal?

    I went through a similar experience myself when I received a blank refusal without any explanation when I went to my surgery because of back trouble. I was told that my problem was really nothing to worry about and was probably due to my advancing years.

    Because of the increasing amount of discomfort and pain I was in, after about 3 months I returned to the surgery and created merry stink at the surgery.

    I found it necessary to remind them that if they had taken the trouble to look at their records they would have seen that about 5 years previously I had fallen off a ladder and needed hospital treatment.

    About a week later I received a call from the surgery advising me that an MRI scan had been organised for me in a hospital about 35 miles away from where I live.

    Following the MRI I was called into the surgery again for a 'chat'.

    Apparently the consulant surgeon at our hospital wanted to see me.

    I went for the consultation to be told that my spine had in fact been damaged some years previously, and almost inconsequently it was mentioned that I now had an inoperable stenosis of the spine.

    Great news, and not a thing that I can do about it.

    The moral of this story is not to  allow yourself to be fobbed-off. If they cannot give you a reasonable explanation why you cannot have a scan, then demand a second opinion.

    Remember it is your body that is in pain, not theirs.

    • patricia4866
      patricia4866 archemedes

      Posted

      Mind sharing what you think inoperable stenosis is????? Or more to the point, what this doc of yours thinks it is? If you were here in the States, a good neurosurgeon would not have made such an offhanded remark. I was an Ortho RN who also worked Neuro in a Level I Trauma Center, and to my knowledge the only reason a patient would be inoperable for a Spinal fusion is if there is by chance a medical reason making an operation too risky. Sorry, but I could not let that slip by without a comment. My heart goes out to you guys in the UK. I am so happy that my neurosurgeon did not say something like that to me. I looked up the best one fr the job and went to see him. It took a long time over here too, but I had surgery back in November and I am exercising, walking, and swimming now, so I know it can be done. I am 67 and have Osteporosis as well as Arthritis in Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar areas of the spine. Good luck to you. I would have changed doctors if they were to dish me that way. And if not that, then start making noise to whoever you have to in order to make yourself heard.

      Patricia

       

    • archemedes
      archemedes patricia4866

      Posted

      Sorry Patricia this is the UK that I'm talking about, and it is a miracle that we can get anything done at all over here.

      As it so happens he did explain it all at the time and I was left with the opinion that he really couldn't be bothered. End of.

      Just as well really because I dusted myself off and forced myself to tolerate it.

  • cath65158
    cath65158

    Posted

    Thank you archemedes

    The G.P's excuse was due to the amount of radiation thats given off the scan, in his words "I'll come out looking like a big glow as if I'd been eating readybrek" lol.... strange really.... when I've had an MRI on my knee about 2 years previous hahahahaha. he wanted to sent me to physio.... which is all good but if there is something going on then physio could do more harm than good :-( so I reused pysio until it's looked into.

    I'm thinking of going back to the G.P and demand a scan. At the end of the day they're meant to do whats right for the patient and not for the funds ;-)

    • archemedes
      archemedes cath65158

      Posted

      You are 100% correct Cath, just demand it.

      In any event I was not aware there was any harmful radiation from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan.

      Are you certain he is not trying to pull the wool over your eyes?

    • cath65158
      cath65158 archemedes

      Posted

      I think he was trying yes lol but I've grown stronger over the last few months to now stand up for myself and tell them what what.... we pay their wages at the end of the day ;-)

      P.S also in UK

  • jbrook487
    jbrook487 cath65158

    Posted

    Back pain is a serious problem that has been affecting people all over the world. I think it would be better for you to consult a well known neurosurgeon who can tell you about your exact condition. May be you need a surgery and do it as soon as possible.
    • cath65158
      cath65158 jbrook487

      Posted

      Thank you jbrook487

       I'll be ringing the doctors tomorrow for an appointment in the afternoon as my doctors do on the day appointment system.

       I know when I delivered my daughter her back was against my back, which I don't think helped :-(

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