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New member. Please help! Bulging disc and spinal canal narrowing ...

Posted , 8 users are following.

amzy87
amzy87

Hi

I am new here! I am a 27 year old female who has has back problems since the age of 21 when I got pregnant with my little girl. I have gradually got worse over the past 6 years and am now permanently on crutches to help me walk. I cannot do daily tasks and am in pain 24/7 and have been for some time.

I have asked for 5 years for a MRI on my back as I knew something wasn't right but I have just been told it would be a waste of my time and the medical professionals time.

Anyway after a breakdown at the rheumatologist and my last resort after years of medication, pain management courses, physio and wasted doctors appointments I had to beg for an MRI and he reluctantly agreed.

The MRI has shown a significant bulging disc in my 4th vertebrae which has narrowed my spinal canal and is causing nerve compression leading to problems with loss of feeling in my legs and lady parts as well as pain.

I suppose the biggest question I have is after such a long time before being discovered, what are the chances of my nerves being permanently damaged even if I have the operation to release the bulge?

Is the operation actually going to make a difference?

Im so angry that no one has listened to me and it has resulted in me losing quite alot of my life as I am so immobile.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • marshall71
    marshall71 amzy87

    Posted

    Shocking story too read very sorry you have been "fobbed off " by everybody your a young mother who's live has got worse with no fault of your own

    First thing I would do is write too your local

    MP highlight what you have said here then another letter too the BMA and then change doctors

    Like you I was told there was nothing but bit of back pain took me a year too get a scan saw 8 gps all said no

    Had Physio which did nothing the girl was Hopeless had Hydro too saw a specialist who said your back is fine yet I have Long standing DDD l5 s1 now I've got numbness in hands feet legs too I live on cocktail of drugs

    Sorry to say your story is not new ive seen it Many Times on here

    Wish you luck but keep fighting till your aim is done

    • tara95293
      tara95293 marshall71

      Posted

      You mention you have DDD. i have been diagnosed this, l3/4 & 5. Is it right there is no cure, can it get even worse than it is? A cocktail of drugs for any type of back pain is depressing in itself. How dreadfull so many of us have to come here for answers . The NHS has a lot to answer for & Amzy87 needs to make people listen, I really hope you do.
    • marshall71
      marshall71 tara95293

      Posted

      Some specialist say yes there is without having a op others say no my scan said long standing well since I was 22 ive had a bad back now I'm nearly 44 and it's been hell for the last year since Christmas I've got numbness and thingling in my hands feet toes legs It's getting worse I'm dropping things and the other day I was Cutting my toes nails and I could feel nothing in some of my toes
    • keith94082
      keith94082 marshall71

      Posted

      Sounds u got problem at the top of ur spine to have fingers hands numbness. Keep on long standing should be dealt with 22 years brave person. I hope u can get things done. Keith
    • marshall71
      marshall71 keith94082

      Posted

      Gp says it CTS and I'm having a steroids injections in the 16th my fingers and hands are numb at night taking 40mg amitriptyline for sleeping
  • keith94082
    keith94082 amzy87

    Posted

    The operation will make a difference ur nerves have not been compressed so they can join again. I never khew nerves regrow. U have suffered for a long time I only had bad back and the old sciatica. I woke up one morning with complete loss of feeling from waist down my right leg was stronger the left was numb. Àfter 6 days of complete compression . I end up with my right leg being the problem 1. All the while u have no complete compression u have a chance .its the nerves for ur bits and bowel and bladder. That's the one u don't want damage with . It seems it's a lottery to where u live. I had a mri in the June that showed bulges like 50pences I had another mri when I was admitted they did not hurry. Then the scans went over to kings and I was transferred under blue lights . I spent a month in hospital then out for a week and I got a infection on the spine. The was back in August 2008. As I type this I am in bed I had a fall today only down 3 concrete steps. I hurt a bit. Any with u persist u have to get that up .Then get the pain team in by asking if they don't see u get ur gp to urgent refer. U need the right pain relief so it does the job and ur not like a zombie .
  • joyceb
    joyceb amzy87

    Posted

    I'm disgusted that you've had to wait so long for an MRI.  You're so very young to have to put up with this pain for this length of time.  I don't blame you for being angry that no one has listened, I know how that feels but for this to go on for 5 years must have made you so depressed, apart from anything else.  You need urgent answers to your questions to see whether permanent damage has been caused by the delay and I definitely think you should be complaining to the BMA, the NHS and even your local MP.  I hope you get some answers soon
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy amzy87

    Posted

    There was an article in the papers yesterday that a woman was given 2.4 million pounds for a delayed spinal surgery mess up. She was not given an MRI scan immediately. It was at Cheltenham hospital 
    • marshall71
      marshall71 ptolemy

      Posted

      The nhs is a mess it's only when you get into the system you find out
    • keith94082
      keith94082 marshall71

      Posted

      I fear if things don't get better it will crumb more getting orginised and more money in the right places. Get all these operation out the way then rebuild .
  • laura49003
    laura49003 amzy87

    Posted

    Dear Amy

    i am angry reading this, clearly you were in horrific pain and not getting MRI is awful. I had to pay for the 2 i had but they Show up our problems and i think knowing what you are dealing with is kinda a sense of acceptance. I wish you well

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