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Need advise!! Feel very stuck!!!

Posted , 8 users are following.

julia42786
julia42786

A while ago I was told I have osteoporosis after an x ray but my gp told me I couldn't possibly have it I'm too young at 42,despite having a spinal injury years ago.Anyway I had an awful experience Saturday which resulted in me getting an emergency MRI which again shown I have degenerative bones in my spine.I work 12 hour shifts at a desk...I went to work today but after three hours was in agony...do I need to admit defeat and look for another job??? I have been told to get benefits but I don't want to do that...do other sufferers claim benefits or work with osteoporosis??? I feel so confused :-(

2 likes, 62 replies

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  • kathleen65757
    kathleen65757 julia42786

    Posted

    Osteoporosis is diagnosed from a bone density scan not an X-ray but other things show up in the X-ray. I notice you had an MRI as well.

    So sorry this has happened to you so young.

    Mine has been described as degenerative lumbar spine as well but I am much older than you.

    How were you injured years ago and what was the treatment at that time? Were you okay afterwards for a while?

    12 hours seated would be beyond me. Can you try half that time rather than quitting?

    Also, maybe get a second opinion.

    Have you had a Dexa scan which checks your bone density which is what osteoporosis is?

     

    • julia42786
      julia42786 kathleen65757

      Posted

      Hello..I've had nothing, no help from my gp he keeps throwing more painkillers at me so I'm at my Wits end....I saw a neurologist Saturday after my MRI and she said the pain is due to nerves being pressed... it's so uncomfortable and I'm very frustrated.. I have had no proper answers.... I don't know if I can continue working where I do...it's 12 hour shifts or nothing... so confusing ...I just want to know what to do

    • kathleen65757
      kathleen65757 julia42786

      Posted

      I understand about the nerve issue. The spine seems to be the source then it goes either down the leg or in my case into the sacroiliac.

      I could never sit like you are with your job.

      Whereabouts are you? 

      I do not know your circumstances but your age alone indicates you would want to work.

      Maybe talk to someone who can support and advise you regarding your work situation. 

      It is very difficult for you because you are not able to control the situation.

    • julia42786
      julia42786 kathleen65757

      Posted

      I live in Birmingham.. I work in a control centre... it really does hurt sitting for that long...I get pain in my left buttock and down my left leg...also at the base of my spine...I struggle to bend.. and it hurts to walk when I move my left leg..I had a car accident 19 years ago and fractured my lower spine in three places.. I was laid up for two weeks and had quite a lot of pain for the first two years after.. since then if I overdid it I got horrid back pain...but it was due to a fall a few weeks ago that the degenerative bones we're discovered.the past year the back pain has been more frequent..work gave me a chair... didn't work plus someone broke it..

      I don't know who to go to for advise

    • julia42786
      julia42786

      Posted

      I did also state to my gp that years ago I took epilepsy medication for ten years.... I've been told this is also a factor with osteoporosis... he just wasn't interested
    • kathleen65757
      kathleen65757 julia42786

      Posted

      As I am in Australia I am not sure who looks after you in GB. If I were your age and needing to work I would start to research all the help available.

      I imagine your hours need to be reduced for a start. You must have some organisation that represents you in the workplace.

      Here, I would start with my Union and as I was a teacher, it would be that particular one.

      There will be avenues for you to explore and you need some help.

      Can you talk to your boss? 

      You may need an advocate to help you through the process as you cannot continue to work 12 hours a day but you need to,protect yourself.

      Once you start to make enquires you will feel empowered and sort this.

    • julia42786
      julia42786 kathleen65757

      Posted

      I was actually with an agency called 'remploy' they find work and support people with disabilities or health issues.They found me this job funnily enough....but I think it was a bad move...I think I should contact them as well as speak to a different gp.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga julia42786

      Posted

      Nerves originating in the spine can cause a lot of problems.  The solution I'm sorry to say, is not painkillers from the doctor but a proper evaluation by a really competent physiotherapist.  Plus why wouldn't they give you a DXA scan if you've had a pre-existing serious injury?

      I've had very good treatment from my physiotherpists over the years.  They work on helping you strengthen core muscles, which support the spinal column, and can also help with exercises that will alleviate the pressure causing pain.  It's not magic, but it makes life a lot better.

    • julia42786
      julia42786 Anhaga

      Posted

      I don't know what's going on..my gp didn't even ask to see any notes from the hospital.. just said you haven't got it your too young.....that was that...so I don't know what to do...all I know is I'm in a lot of pain....
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga julia42786

      Posted

      Are you able to see another doctor?  If not, take someone with you to your next visit, a trusted friend, family member with good presence, someone like that who will act as an advocate for you.  It seems to concentrate the doctors' mind no end if there's an audience, especially some one who is not only affirming your symptoms, but is sitting there quietly taking notes!
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga julia42786

      Posted

      You got some advice about bending down as if to pick up something as an exercise.  I would run that particular idea past a therapist as my understanding is that people at risk of spinal fracture should avoid forward bends as much as possible (it's the front of the vertebra which fractures under stress).   Until you've got a good idea about the health of your spine I'd be careful.  Just do the core-strengthening motions.
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