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NHS Rationing of Lower Back Pain

Posted , 7 users are following.

1976annette
1976annette

For the past 5 years I have been having injections in my lower back for chronic pain.  I have had 3/4 a year at intervals and, although they weren't perfect, they helped me get on with a bit of 'normal' life for a while.  I had a hip replacement 10 years ago and a knee last year.  I had an outpatient appointment with my Consultant yesterday after my last batch of injections in January and he said I can only have another one this year as they have been told that is all patients can have now.  Has anyone else encountered this and if so, what are you doing to help?  My next outpatient appointment is in August and then I will get my second one, probably a month later.  I understand the NHS is strapped for money but I am annoyed by this being cut as pain is something you can't help.  I am a diabetic so I have to be careful which painkillers I take as they all seem to pile up other problems and, quite frankly, don't work.  ANy help would be appreciated.

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • jessica_78456
    jessica_78456 1976annette

    Posted

    These injection s are not good for ye joint s eventually the cause more harm so it may be a combination of strapped for cash and potential health implications
  • melm1972
    melm1972 1976annette

    Posted

    In the US Drs will only perform 3 injections over the course of a year in the same area. That has been my experience. They might be able to get away with more by injecting in another area and it all depends on the dr too. I've had Drs that will do 3 injections on 6 mths. It's somewhat subjective unfortunately. 

    • DJ1976
      DJ1976 melm1972

      Posted

      You are correct about only 3 injections in the same area.  Have you or your Dr. talked about a stimulator trial.  It is just another option for your pain when all else has failed.  Good Luck.
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX 1976annette

    Posted

    I had my hip replaced 8 years ago and my knee last year.  Fusion L3-S1.  Both of us are the TSA's worst nightmare at the airport!!!!!

    I've had really bad sciatica a number of times in my life as well as locked SI joints that caused a lot of lower back pain.  The SIs were fixed by a chiropractor as were a number of the sciatica issues.  But back in 2011, nothing worked, including the shots.  My neurosurgeon found a bone spur at L4/L5 literally "crushing" (his word) the nerve root.  Problem solved in one day.  Fusion was a whole other story with back pain.  Played hockey for 45 years...someday, ya gotta pay the price.

    This past October, while rehabbing the knee, I developed stenosis at L2/L3.  Lower back pain plus shooting pain down the back of both legs.  Doc could have redone the whole fusion, this time L2-S1 requiring 10 days in the hospital and six months of rehab.  Or.......

    He got a general surgeon to go in from my side and make a "tunnel" to my spine.  Neuro knocked out the damaged disk and inserted an EXPANDABLE spacer in its place.  Used an Allen wrench to open it up (like a jack lifting up a car) so that all the pressure on the nerve roots was now relieved...permanently.  Backfilled the spacer with a bone graft from my hip; general surgeon closed.  Overnight in the hospital...zero rehab.  Just now getting past the post-op pain since they move a lot of crap around to get to your spine.

    Incredible option to a fusion.  If you are in that much pain, you have got to find the cause.  Those shots only last so long and they are not a permanent fix to your problem.  You need a neurosurgeon to do an MRI and a CT/Myelogram with contrast (the gold standard spine test) to find out where your pain is originating.  If you need to expand two vertebrae to take the pressure off those nerves, consider my solution.

    Go to YouTube and search for "Globus RISE-L" for a cute animation of how it's done.  Picture of mine is attached.  Waaaaay preferable to fusion.  FIND THE CAUSE of the pain!!!  Solve it!!!

    • tim15308
      tim15308 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      I had an ALIF 360 fusion with instrumentation and now a extruded disc above the repaired level.

      My question for you is HOW PAINFUL was THE Myelogram?

      That is much like the discogram using the contrast.

      Any previous surgery and you must have contrast media. It is standard.

    • melm1972
      melm1972 tim15308

      Posted

      I have never had a myelogram but did have a discogram on l3-s1. I asked and also made sure I was able to have some type of Valium to settle my nerves as I had a really bad experience with cervical nerve testing and a caudal steroid injection where I was totally awake. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be but I am glad I pushed for a little relaxation helper. 

      I will never have another injection without sedation. 

    • jessica_78456
      jessica_78456 tim15308

      Posted

      I had this done 3 months ago and found it very painful nothing to help me relax just a little numb on first few inches of bck could feel everything. Just gritted my teeth and used a few choice words . After this had a further CT and X-ray . My surgery planned for May spinal fusion.
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX jessica_78456

      Posted

      Are you having multiple vertebrae fused?  If yes, there's really no other choice than the rails, screws and spacers (my picture attached).  However, If it's one or maybe two joints, investigate the Globus solution like I just had at L2/L3 (picture above).  Very viable alternative with a one night stay and no rehab.

      Go to YouTube and search "Globus RISE-L".  Cute little animation of what my doc did to me.  Again, it may not apply and you need to talk to your neuro, but it just saved me 10 days in the hospital and 6 months of rehab...

  • Reddave8
    Reddave8 1976annette

    Posted

    HI 1976annette,

    I suffer from degenerative disc disorder and spinal stenosis and live in Shropshire and have recently been informed by my consultant that Shropshire CCG have vetoed all back procedures except in emergency cases and I was due to undergo a multi-level fusion L3-S1. I am livid to say the least so I've written to my MP for his assistance to get an out of county referral, I just don't understand how they can put a price on someone's health.

    I wish you all the luck with your painful journey, if I do learn of anything else that may help you I'll pass it on! 

    Dave

  • tim15308
    tim15308 1976annette

    Posted

    Like you Annette, I have had many ELSI's and hip injections. I think I had to many in my back and that is what what finished by L4 to S1 stability. I have had one hip replacement back in 2013 and need another one on the left side.

    I know the number you can get per year is limited and they can run your blood sugar up very high. Also, if you are a diabetic and taking any antibiotic like Leviquin, the steroid injections can put you in a diabetic coma. I am not a diabetic but the antibiotic and steroid injection put my blood sugar at 300. I felt really wierd and the doctor said if I had been a diabetic and got the shot that I would be in a diabetic coma.

    Be Well

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