Posted , 19 users are following.
Just a quickie, I'm due to have a 2 level ACDF in March. Most of my symptons/pain have been in my left shoulder, arm and hand, along with headaches and shivers. However, just lately I have been getting pins and needles, which wake me at night, in my right hand.
Do you think this is significant or just more of the same?
Sandra
1 like, 283 replies
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JudeR
Posted
NO REGRETS :lol:
Love
Jude x
wilks_jm
Posted
wuffy
Posted
[b:027bc91ec3]My report from the MRI[/b:027bc91ec3]
At the operated L5/S1 level there is a recurrent focul disc protrusion into the left lateral angle of spinal canal, compressing the S1 root ( Basically back to square one )
So Im back at the hospital in 12 days time for another round of nerve root injections.
ok heres the deal, the first op was great and took away the excrutiating pain I was in, and certainly made me feel better not having that horrendous pain, I dont have THAT pain now even though I have aches and some degree of pain.
The op done exactly as they said it would and I have been in a better frame of mind ever since having it, I also knew it may not have cured the pain or it could have cured it for a little while, nothing was set in stone.
If these injections dont help ( they did last time I had them ) then I may have to have another op, which I would have again in a split second, I wont question the surgeons ability, thats why he is a surgeon and Im not, nor will I blame anyone as no one has done anything wrong.
The long and the short of it is
[b:027bc91ec3]NO REGRETS :-)[/b:027bc91ec3]
Russ
Guest
Posted
I feel for you the :cry: pain is unreal, I hurt my back New Years Eve 2006, was rushed into Hospital (what a way to spend the New Year), I too had a Prolapsed Disc L5/S1. You can't explain the pain to anyone unless they've experienced it themselves. I have had 2 Operation, 2 Epidurals and a Nerve Root Block since then.
If I was you I would ask for a 2nd opinion, keep on at the Doctors and Hospital that's what I did, I phoned every couple of weeks to see if I was on the Waiting List for the Op, eventually I went in for my 2nd op on 2.1.08. Are you taking any pain relief now, they should have given you something for the pain. I was taking Tramadol, Amitryptlin, Fluoxetine, Indometacin, Paracetamol, Oramporh and Morphine Patches, they did help with my pain. Go back to your Doctor and ask for some strong painkillers, you can't be expected to wait 12 weeks to see the Pain Management Team.
Why aren't they going to Operate, did they say? My Physio told me that Acupunture sometimes works with the pain, I haven't tried this so I'm not sure about it. I use to have a heat pack continuously on my back it helps a little.
Keep on at your Doctor ask them to contact the Consultant for you and tell them how much pain your in and how it's affecting your life. I haven't been to work for 14 months, I don't know if you've still been going to work. I couldn't stand, sit or lay due to the pain, it has been a very stressful time, I couldn't see a end to it, it's not fair that people in Severe Pain are having to wait months if not years before someone listens to them.
Keep your chin up, there is light at the end of the tunnel believe me, you have every right to a second opinion, if all else fails you could try going Private, I wasn't fortunate enough to have that kind of money. I know a couple of people who have gone private and they've had a MRI Scan and the operation within a few weeks, money certainly talks doesn't it!
Angela
Guest
Posted
Poor you, :cry: what a time you've had, you must have been petrified when you lost all feelings to your lower half. It good news that it's coming back. I know what you mean about the Physio, my back hurts more when doing the exercises.
It will get easier day by day, I thought I'd never feel well again but 6 weeks later here I am feeling tons better.
Keep your chin up and just let your body do as much as possible without doing more damage.
Bye for now
Angela
Guest
Posted
I was just wondering how did everything go? Did you make it down the Aisle?
Angela
crazydaisy
Posted
Well, what can I say...you did everything by the book..I am so sorry that it has re-prolapsed, it happens in a percentage of people..At least now you know what it is and there is a plan in place and you're having treatment quickly. Have they said if the prolapse can/will shrink in time as it can sometimes with 1st prolapses?
It's just a shame that it's all happened again just as you was getting back to work and you're wife (god bless her) was having some peace...lol.
But you remain positive and that is a good thing....hopefully the injections will be a success and you will not need the op.. But a word of advice on the op.....I had it done in November...and would do it again in a second (just as you said to me before I had my op...remember?)
Good luck with it all Russ, and let us know how it's all going...I hope though, as our experiences have been so similar, with us comparing what's normal and all that....that this doesn't mean I'm next!!! :shock:
Take care of yourself mate,
Jules xx :D :D
wuffy
Posted
They haven't said if it will shrink or not, think they are best not to say anything when it comes to that. Am just gonna play it by the book again and take it as it comes, not much else I can do but it did come as a bit of a shock, was expecting to be told it was scar tissue if anything but hey ho, such is life.
On the plus side, I was worried it would show nothing then it would look like I was just saying it hurt for no reason when at least now I know exactly why I have the aches/pains as I do.
Am gonna take it real easy and continue to work from home but will still drive to work a couple of days, just so I get out and as for my poor wife, well, guess I will just have to be extra nice to her, just in case she needs to visit me in hospital again :-)
oh yeah, thanks for the words of advice :P good to know that :lol:
There is no reason why it should happen to you, just because we have experienced near enough everything exactly the same, there is NO REASON why it should :twisted:
Seriously no reason why, I remember my back twinged a couple of weeks back when I was just walking and Im sure now that is when it went, dont think its down to anything else I have or havent done.
Will keep u informed on whats going on......again
NO REGRETS RUSS x
PS If I had to have the op again I would in a split second :D
gail
Posted
what a pain (excuse the pun) but you do sound positive about the final outcome as you say there is no guarentees with this type of surgery and a persentage of peps do not get the benefit of the surgery, i do hope that what ever comes next will work for you, i do think carrying on as best you can will benefit you in you mental attitude towards this horrible illness, i wish you all the best and of course we,r always here for support and to bend our ear if need be (saves the spouses ear lol). gail
JudeR
Posted
I do hope the medical team continue to support you, that the injections work for you, everything crossed!! At least you haven't long to wait to hopefully get some relief.
Best of luck with it all, [b:fd4d08d74d]NO REGRETS[/b:fd4d08d74d]
Take it easy :D
Love
Jude x
JudeR
Posted
I do wish you a speedy recovery and I hope you've got plenty of support around you helping you to get better.
Love
Jude x
gail
Posted
what can any of us say? i feel for you, not a good start to the new year eh? i think by reading your posts that you are a strong person and im sure this will help in you fight to get better, the sorry part of all this is not everyones surgery is a success, and the risks are sometimes high, but at a time when we,r in such pain we just want it to stop so sometimes we dont think \"what if it goes wrong or doesnt work\" persevere with physio and anything else that is to be offered and in time things are bound to get better, even if a little. chin up and we,r here for you. gail
wuffy
Posted
Im positive ... it IS a pain, cant be more positive than that...
K I know this is gonna probably come out wrong and it isnt nice to suffer with it BUT thankfully it is not life threatening, and Im not ill, I know it doesnt make it any easier but I and most others just have to be careful what we do and how we do it
As for me well, Im sure the injections will help and if not then the op will, it still so much better ( at this moment in time at least ) than it ever was with the previous pain.
I dont mean to take anything away from anyone and its not to say this is all managebale, as I know its not, it really isnt a nice thing to have to go through and I wouldnt wish it on anyone BUT I know whatever they throw at me, it will all be ok.
Hope that makes sense and more importantly I hope that hasnt come out all wrong, I think its all part of my being positive.
Hope that makes sense.
NO REGRETS RUSS :-)
crazydaisy
Posted
I just want to say \"Good on you\" for remaining positive despite your current \"blip\". Your positive attitude is an inspiration to us all and I believe certainly helps in managing the condition on a day to day basis and in recovery.
Take care,
Jules xx :D :D
crazydaisy
Posted
Gosh you've really been through the mill!!. Hopefully that's that's the last you've seen of the hospital as an inpatient. I'm sure the physio will get easier....it's always harder in the early days, as you build your strength up, you'll find it easier to cope with. Don't be too hard on yourself either..you've been through a lot, physically and mentally, so don't overdo it, you'll know your limitations and don't go beyond them. Don't get too frustrated with yourself..it's easy to see very little progress from one day to the next, when you look back as to how you were a week ago though, I'll bet you'll see that you have progressed....that's what kept me going.
Keep in touch and let us know how things are going for you...and stay positive and strong..it will get better :D
Take care,
Jules xx :D :D