Neurosurgeon visit in December. Not sure what to do in the meantime.
Posted , 7 users are following.
So, I have a ton of spine problems, including 12 bulging discs, some of which are pushing on the spinal cord, some foraminal stenosis, bulges pushing on nerve roots, Schmorl's nodes, and one disc is dangerously close to central canal stenosis.
This is causing moderate and worse nerve pains and shocks, neuropathy, headache, etc. I was able to get to see a neurosurgeon via referral and suggestion from my family doc, but not til Dec. 18. the issues are getting worse, and pretty scary.
Since I can't see a doc for months, does anyone know what I should do to take care of myself in the meantime. Walk more? Walk less? Don't lift? Exercise? Don't exercise? I just don't want to make things worse.
0 likes, 8 replies
doreen18567 julee15466
Posted
I'd recommend seeing a nuero consultant privately for a consultation as you have so many problems and need to see him urgently. As its urgent he could transfer you in to his NHS list. I know this can be done in urgent cases. His fee I'd estimate would be around £300 for consultation. Hope this helps.
julee15466 doreen18567
Posted
Hi, Doreen. I'm in the US. No NHS list here.
doreen18567 julee15466
Posted
That's a shame. I assume you pay any way even to see him in December? Is there any way to see your consultant earlier? Pay more money?
sylvia38199 julee15466
Posted
Like you, I too am suffering and have been for many years, gradually getting worse. Before they will operate, I have to see a Haematoligist as I am on warfarin and they are not happy about this. My appointment was marked VERY URGENT at the beginning of July and I have still heard nothing. I am really fed up with the pain and thank God for ORAMORPH and Paracetamol taken regularly. I also suffer from bad IBS and the stress of my spinal problems sadly makes this much worse.
I really do not know what to tell you to do if you now have an appointment in December as the waiting lists are all very long.
Please keep me updated on your progress and my thoughts are with you as I know what you are going through. Oh how I wish I had private Health Care as I Have friends with this who get seen so quickly.
SYLVIA
julee15466 sylvia38199
Posted
I'm in the US and have private health care. I can get in to see just about any specialist really quickly except neuro. I think it's because there are just so few good ones.
bradley_08701 julee15466
Posted
First find a good pain management doctor you feel comfortable with. It took me the third one before I felt comfortable and felt the trust you need. I can't imagine it takes that long to see a surgeon....check around and read their reviews.
Seafarer123 julee15466
Posted
Hi Julee,
First off my sympathy for your condition and your pain - I know this can be frightening. I'm in the US with private health insurance and I have had similar problems, although nowhere near as severe as the ones you are suffering.
The first thing I would recommend is that you get in to see a pain management specialist as soon as possible. Don't go to a regular doctor and don't go to any type of orthopedic surgeon, go to a pain management specialist. They are sometimes called "physiatrists" but not everyone (including at the insurance companies) recognize that term. I would just do a google search to find one near you and confirm that they are in-network for your insurance.
A pain management person will likely put you on a mix of medications for your pain. There are medications for direct pain (such as that from osteoarthritis, if that is part of your issues), usually opioids, and different medications for neurological pain (i.e. neuropathy down your legs), such as gabapentin. These medications can be wonderfully effective, don't try to avoid them - use them as needed and prescribed for your pain.
As for how active or inactive to be - the pain doctor will guide you on that. Typically they tell you to stay active but don't exercise aggressively. If you have the energy to exercise the pain doctor will give you a prescription for physical therapy. It is MUCH better to exercise through the use of a physical therapist than to try to do it yourself.
Good luck, and let us know how things turn out...
Bob
barney34567 julee15466
Posted
You have an appointment with a neurosurgeon of 18 Dec? Good, that is one option.
Go asap to a neurologist (at a large teaching hospital) and get a referral to ANOTHER neurosurgeon and see him/her asap. Maybe you'll hear something that makes more sense to you than you've heard so far and
maybe if surgery is needed, the 2nd surgeon may be able to accommodate you earlier.
I would not wait until mid December to deal with this.