pain seems worse now after epidural

Hi All,

Well I went to see the Consultant last week, he told me that the pain I have in my back is normal, they keep reminding me that I've had major back surgery, [b:5e0ec0bd49]Don't I Bloody Know It![/b:5e0ec0bd49] I showed him where the pain is in my back, he pressed his thumb right in and I've been in agony ever since :cry: .

He told me I should try going swimming, and said that I shouldn't be lifting or carrying anything at all. I can't do a thing I feel like a cripple, I'm so fed up it's unreal. I've been to town this morning and I can hardly walk now, what's going on? I should be feeling better by now surely, it's been 14 weeks since my op. I really feel like crying, when will this nightmare end!! I have to go back to see the Consultant in 3 months time, if I still have the pain then, he said they'd take me back in and give me another Epidural Injection into my Spine. I've already have 2 before and they made no difference whatsoever :? .

I really don't think that I'll ever be well enough to work again. My life is passing me by and I'm getting more and more depressed as the days go on. I don't know if my Mortgage Protection would pay for me if I was classed as being unable to work, I think it only covers Terminal Illnesses.

Sorry for moaning I've just had enough, I've been out of work since Dec 06 now. I just want to get back to normal and do the things that I used to be able to do.

Angela

Hi Jess,

At least the meds are doing some good. Why do these things always happen on a weekend??? Why is it never on a Tuesday, or a Wednesday so your doctor can get straight back in touch wih your consultant, he can make a decision and you know where you are by teatime!! My second admission was on a Saturday and the third on a Sunday!! But I almost felt like a fraud even asking for help on a weekend.

I totally understand your fear, Jess and your frustration. I too have both. Do you want to know something really stupid.......a few weeks back I bought some bio oil for my scar. I had seen it advertised on TV. At first I used it everyday, but now I don't. I just think what's the point?? If I need another operation there is no point at all. Like you and Angela as well I guess it is just so hard to see a way forward, or a time when this will all be past. I have so much hope in the 'right thing'. I try to do the 'right thing' and I assume that other people do too. But this latest batch of papers that I have obtained from the NHS is proof that they really don't care at all about what they have put me through and that the complaints team are so chummy with the clinical staff that they are always going to be completely biased in their favour. And the words they say to me are different from the words they say to the clinical staff. It is totally false and fake and a huge smoke screen. And the truth is I'm the loser. I'm the one who has been put through hell, who has all the residual problems with my back/leg/foot and bladder, who has been lied to and deceived. I want the MRI results, but I don't think that I could ever have more treatment anyway. I think that people like us do need medical counselling. I take it you never found the very elusive medical counsellor?? No compensation in the world is ever going to give me back what I lost. And now they have all ganged up on me and I have become a huge joke to them. I got what I got from the NHS and maybe I should just accept it!!

TFU

Hi Angela

Well I guess it's you, me and Jess all having a s**t wekend then. I'm really sorry that the consultant couldn't give you more hope. These people really should think before opening their mouths!!

Do you remember we both had our second op the same week? Like you I expected to at least see some improvement by now. Today I too have been like an old crock out shopping!! And I shudder to think of what it would be like to come off the meds permanently. And if I can't come off the meds (ever????) then what the hell was the whole point of having the operation in the first place?? Did you reduce the med dosage like your GP suggested??? What did the Consultant have to say about that anyway???

I know you just want to get back to normal. Don't give up. Keep in mind what normal means to you. This may be our reality right now, but it isn't normal!!

It's such a shame we all live in different parts of the country. It would be so cool to meet up for a proper chat. My friends and family don't really understand. People just assume that it is all in the past now. No it isn't. It is a living nightmare!!!! So, I really can relate to where you are coming from. Financially, this has all but bankrupted me, some days I am so tired I can barely stand, another bout off sick will see me finished at work, I know that I have more medical problems now than I ever had before and worse of all going forward I know that I am going to probably need more surgery and certainly more tests/treatment, but if I'm honest I could no more let them near me now than fly to Venus. It is all just such a mess!!

Keep writing Angela, we all understand,

Best wishes

TFU

Hi Tfu,

Thanks for your reply, I know I can speak my mind with you as you're suffering too. You, Jess and me must just be the unlucky ones, never mind us three having a s--t weekend, we've got S--T lives too :cry: . I did try to take less tablets but within a couple of days the pain came back with avengance! :x So I started taking them again. The Consultant told me that I shouldn't be coming off my tablets just yet if I'm still in so much pain. I'm worried that I'll become addicted to them as I've been on them for so long now. You're right I don't think the Consultants etc think before they speak, they haven't got a clue when it comes to the pain that we are suffering.

I'm getting worried about my finances, I've been looking for jobs in an Office as there's no way I'll be able to go back to the Nursing Home, to be honest though I doubt that I'd be able to do any job at the moment as I'm still in considerable pain. But because I haven't done this type of work for a few years now, no one will give me the chance to prove myself, the frustrating thing is I know I could do these jobs with my eyes closed.

I don't know how you've managed to go back to work when your in so much pain and discomfort. I feel that I have nothing to look forward to in my life anymore. I doubt that I'll be able to go on holiday this year. I'm 41 this year but I feel like a 60 year old. I think that I have more pain now than I had before my 2nd Op. Like you say it is a Living Nightmare!!

It is a shame that we all live so far away from each other as I think it would really help to speak to you and Jess face to face, I suppose this site is the next best thing.

Take care and best wishes to you,

Angela

NO.

Truly....You will not sit back and just accept it. You are not a joke to anyone. You will hold you head high and fight them tooth and nail. You WILL make them pay for what they have done. Dont give up now...please.

You are not stupid to try Bio-Oil. I have some here. I use it on my scars too. I do no what you mean though, 'whats the point'. The point is, it holds hope that the scars may fade. Dont give up.

There is no 'med councillor' apparently. I could be referred to numerous different types of therapy though. No thanks.

Today I had socail services here. I am having an extra bannister, and grab rails installed on wednesday. Thats the only sort of 'good'news. I contacted them last week after Disability place told me about what they can do. Thought I'd have to pay for it, but its free!!

I saw my physio this morning and none of the muscles are working in my back on the right, or in my bum. Not even firing. She is trying to get me to straighten up. I cant. It hurts too much, Im curling into a ball!!!!!!

She ignored what I said to her re the doctor last week. Typical.

Yeah like you, I try to 'do the right thing' as well. Every time I do, something else goes in me and I end up in a wrose state. So, I ask the question, what is normal? I take it this is 'normal' for now, for ever? I have no idea. I try to do the 'right thing' at home with the kids, and get a backlash from my daughter for stupid things, or do the right thing with hubby and money and bills - Im always wrong.

My mum said its the medication making me feel paranoid. Maybe she's right. NHS people try to protect their own, and make sure they dont have to separate with money. You have a valid case. They know it, and will try to put you off. You aren't going to let them. :D :D :D :D

Got to go now but speak soon.

Jessica

I had that pain too when I first awoke unable to move without it. The NHS physio wait was 6 weeks so I went straight to an excellent, recommended private physio. I've been having weekly traction since. After about 6 sessions he suggested I request an MRI scan because that way he would be able to see exactly where the 'bulging' disc was and then could angle me more appropriately in traction. I asked for the scan, said I could attend at short notice and at any time of the day so got an early appointment- possibly a cancellation- and then paid the £10 approx for a copy of it on disc. (That rockets in price if you don't ask for it soon after you have the scan). I was then able to take it for the physio to see.

I'm not surprised you feel so fed up. It's bad enough having the problem in the first place without having to come through surgery without feeling recovered.

The private physio I go to is utterly empathetic since he had to have operations to recover from a back problem himself. He says there are only a few- note 'few'- surgeons who are really good with backs. His first op didn't work and he said that's common because dealing with one disc may put more pressure on the neighbouring ones. He had further ops from someone more expert and ultimately had metal put into his to strengthen it. This is intended to cheer you - it might be worth consulting someone who knows of such experts. This ophysio is clearly back working so that tells you his was as successful as one can hope - but he still has to keep fit through exercise and still has difficult days.

Hello my name is stacey this is my first post but ive been reading for yours for a few weeks iam sorry that we have to go through this. I just wanted to ask you how long they will leave me like this i had mri yesterday get results next week Dr is pretty sure its a prolasped disc if it is how long will i have to wait before they do anything. I have been in pain for 9 weeks now i now know thats not long compared to some of you but i cant even bath the kids its realy getting me down sorry to go on .thanks for replys in advance.

stacey

Just reading all this stuff about slipped discs is scary. I slipped mine two weeks ago, so I'm new to the game. Read your comments to help me psychologically but they're making matters worse!

E

Hi Simonne,

Thanks for your reply my 2nd Operation was to put pins, rods and screws into my back to fuse them together. They say it could take months to fully recover, this doesn't help me financially though. It's a real worry!

Angela

Hi Stacey,

Poor you, I really feel for you, the pain in unreal, have you had the burning feeling and Sciatica pain which goes right down to your foot? I'm sorry to say but you're at the start of a very very long wait.

I had a Prolapsed Disc back in Dec 06, rushed into hospital, had Discectomy in Jan 07 for L5/S1. Op didn't work so had 3 Spinal Epidurals, and a Nerve Root Block done which also never worked for me. After months and months of going back and forth to the Consultant I was given another Operation this January they removed my disc and I have screws and pins now in my back which fuse the spine together. It's been about 14 weeks since my Op and I'm still in considerable pain, :cry: I've been off work since December 2006 and I don't see and end to my problems anytime soon. I have to go back to see my Consultant on 1st July and if the pain is still there, they're going to try another Spinal Epidural Injection which personally I think it's a waste of time as the last 2 haven't worked. Unfortunately we have all had to wait several weeks/months before we even got to see a Consultant, then it's a wait for MRI Scan, then another wait to hear about the Op. Your life is in there hands, :? it's so frustrating but hang on in there.

Keep us posted as to your outcome, fingers crossed you don't need an Operation.

Angela

Hi Edd,

Welcome to the Forum...I just wanted to say that we are all a very friendly and supportive bunch of peeps on here, all with different experiences, some good, some bad. It can often help to check out others experiences or ask for some pointers, suggestions etc and even to vent your spleen or have a rant...it all helps and it's OK here as we all have some understanding of what each other is going through. Just to balance what you may have been reading lately as some of the girls on here have been going through a really awful time, I \"slipped\" my L/5 S/1 disc in March 2007, had an open discectomy on Nov 1st 2007 and have been back at work since Feb 4th 2008...compared to some of the others on here, I have been very fortunate...my situation is more or less back to normal, although I do need to do an hours physio daily and still have the occaisional \"bad\" day....I first found the Forum a week before I was due to have surgery and everyone on here was so supportive and helpful...Good luck with your disc \"journey\"..keep us posted and let us know how you are doing..

Take care,

Jules xx :D :D

Hi Edd

And welcome!! I'm sorry if anything that has been written has been scary. People here just write about their experiencs warts and all. Most of us have either had or are waiting for surgery. The good news is that statisically you will probably not need surgery as over 90% of slipped discs repair themselves within 6 weeks. But even if your problems persist past that point and your GP refers you, then the chances are that physio and other treatments will help you. I guess that hearing that is of little comfort though, right, if you are in a lot of pain.

I agree with Jude, for most people that need surgery, it is successful in that they see a real improvement. Surgery is a last resort. As Jude says you need to be careful afterwards, but other than that the op is a godsend. However the op isn't always successful, or people need further surgery and I guess that it is those posts that have alarmed you. In my case the NHS messed up my first operation, but I know that that is very rare, but it has brought with it complications that I have written about here. I always write to the newcomers and I have a lot of xperience of NHS rules and deadlines etc that I am happy to pass on. That doesn't mean that I cannot learn to! Everybody's experiences are different, which is why a forum is such a wonderful thing. Everybody has something to share, be it their experience with a drug or treatment, claimimg benefits etc. Personally, I love to hear of people who become better spontaneously or after successful surgery, because there is nothing very cheery about suffering a slipped disc. For some (hopefully you included) the journey will be a short one to wellness and recovery, for others it takes much longer and that brings with it dditional problems. When I slipped my disc last January (2007) what I knew about slipped discs would have fitted onto the back of a postge stamp!!! Now I am very much better informed both through learning and experience. But those early days I remember really well, bcause I didn't have a clue what was happening to me, or why. That was scary!!

I do hope that you share your experience and journey with us. We are a good bunch here.

Best wishes

TFU

Hi Stacey,

It's not a great time is it, waiting for your MRI results! You do not say who organised the scan, I assume it was your GP. If so, then if he needs to refer you on to hospital try to get him to do so to a Consultant and not just physiotherapy. In any case wherever he sends you they have to see you within 13 weeks. Some hospitals have now shortened this to 6-8 weeks because they are phasing in the '18 weeks to treat' rules this year. The reality though is that there will be much time spent waiting around for treatment. However when you get an appointment date you could try ringing regularly for a cancellation. You could be lucky though, and the wait could be just a few weeks. It is the uncertainty that is the worse, because it makes planning anything, e.g a holiday very difficult.

Hopefully, you will not need an operation, but just be careful, if you start to get a lot of numbness creeping in. Let us know what they say next week?? Are your meds working well??

TFU

Oops sorry I meant Jules!!!

TFU