Questions to be asked in a survey about prolapsed discs
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi everyone
Following on from the other post where Gordon, PUK's news editor suggested we do a survey, well this is the new post where we can capture all your thoughts on what questions could be asked in a survey about prolapsed discs or what topics you would like the survey to cover.
On the other post, Gordon said this:
\"Over the last three years, back pain has been the 6th most common problem people have been seeking help with on PUK. Leg cramps has been the 8th. So, I think there is an unmet need and the subject is not currently covered by NHS targets. We can go as far as helping gather stats and making an academic comment on them.\"
Guys and gals, we really can make a difference with how the NHS treat all us sufferers of this debilitating condition. Please please use this post to input your thoughts.
Thanks very much in advance
Love
Jude xxxxx
0 likes, 15 replies
JudeR
Posted
From when the pain in your back/buttock/leg started, how long did it take to be diagnosed
1-4 weeks
1-3 months
3-6 months
6-12 months
Over a year
Were you offered an MRI scan?
Yes and I had one
Yes but I refused one
Yes but I had to fight for one
No I was never offered one and haven't had one
When you were diagnosed with a prolapsed disc, were you offered physiotherapy/hydrotherapy
Yes and I had treatment
Yes but I refused treatment
Yes but I had to fight for the treatment
No I was was never offered that kind of treatment and never had it
Were you offered pain medication:
Yes
No
If yes, which pain medication were you offered (tick all that are relevant):
Morphine
Cocodamol
Diazapan
Diclofenac
Gabapentin
Amitriptyline
Pregablin
Anti-depressants e.g. diazepam
Volterol
Paracetamol
JudeR
Posted
Yes
No
If Yes, did your GP refer you to a consultant at a hospital?
Yes
Yes but only when I asked
No
What type of consultant did you see at the hospital (please select more than one if you wish)?
Orthopaedic Consultant
Neurological Consultant
Spinal Surgeon
Other
JudeR
Posted
1-4 weeks
1-3 months
6-12 months
More than 12 months
What type of herniated disc did/do you have?
Disc degeneration
Prolapse
Extrusion
Sequestration
Don't know never told
Where was the pain mostly (tick all which are relevant):
In my back
In my buttock
In my left leg
In my right leg
In both legs
In my left foot
In my right foot
Did/do you experience numbness in your leg(s)?
Yes
No
Did/do you experience a burning sensation in your leg(s)?
Yes
No
Did/do you experience weakness of your leg(s)?
Yes
No
Did/have you lost your achilles heal reflex in one or both ankles?
Yes
No
Has your prolapsed/slipped/herniated disc prevented you from doing things e.g. working, taking care of children, driving etc.
Yes I am really limited
Yes but only moderately
Yes but only a little
No
If you normally work, have you had to be off sick with your back condition?
Yes for a long time (3 months or more)
Yes but only for a short time (1-3 months)
No I've been able to continue working
JudeR
Posted
Yes
No
Don't Know
Were you offered a choice of hospitals to have the operation?
Yes
No
Don't Know
Were you offered the choice of an open or micro discectomy?
Yes I was offered
Yes but I had to ask
No I was never offered a choice
Don't Know
Did you feel confident in your surgeon?
Yes
No
Don't Know
JudeR
Posted
Yes it helped a lot
Yes it helped a lot
No it didn't help at all
It made my condition worse
With your prolapsed/slipped/herniate disc, what activity did you feel you couldn't do? (tick all which are relevant)
Stand still
Walk
Sit
Lie down
Run
Bend
Kneel
Shower
Bath
Go to the toilet
Lift any weight
If you went to A&E with this condition, what happened?
I was sent straight home without treatment
I was given pain relief and sent home
I was kept in hospital for a few days, given pain relief and sent home
I was kept in hospital for a while and had X-rays/MRI scans to determine the problem and sent home with medication
I was offered an operation straight away
Other, please explain
Guest
Posted
I registered with PUK last year sometime but I can't remember my username and password, so I don't know how I'm going to be able to contact you.
I'll answer the questions that are above, we'll have to sort something out, does anyone have a clue as how to find my username and password?
Angela
Q. From when pain started how long did it take to be diagnosed?
A. 1-4 weeks
Q. Were you offered a MRI Scan?
A. Yes I had one done.
Q. When you were diagnosed with Prolapsed Disc, were you offered Physiotherapy?
A. Yes I had physio but it was after my 1st Operation.
Q. Were you offered Pain Medication?
A. Yes, Diclofenac, Dihydrocodeine and Paracetamol, but did'nt help. I was put onto Morphine Tablets, Tramadol, Amitriptylin, Fluoxetine after my 1st Op as I still had severed Pain.
Q. Did you see your GP first with the Pain?
A. Yes, but he didn't refer me to a Consultant as the Hospital.
Q. If you were offered a Operation, how long was it from pain starting to Operation carried out?
A. 22 Days
Q. What type of disc did you have?
A. Prolapsed Disc
Q. Where was your pain mostly?
A. Back, Buttock, Left Leg and foot. I experienced numbness, burning sensation, weakness and loss of heel reflex in ankle.
Q. Has Prolapsed Disc prevented you from doing things?
A. Yes I am really limited.
Q. If you normally work have you been off Sick?
A. Yes for over 20 months now.
Q. If operated on were you told about the risks fully?
A. Yes, wasn't given a choice of Hospital.
Q. Were you offered a choice of Open or Micro Discectomy?
A. No.
Q. Did you feel confident with your Consultant?
A. Yes I did.
Q. How did you feel Physio helped?
A. It didn't hel at all.
Q. With your Prolapse what activities did you feel you couldn't do?
A. Stand, Walk, Sit, Lie down, Run, Bend, Kneel, use Bath or Shower, go to the Toilet and couldn't lift any weight.
Q. If you went to A & E with the condition what happened?
A. I was kept in for a while had Xrays, MRI Scan and sent home with medication. Pain got worse over the next week and was taken back into Hospital and had a Discectomy Operation on 19th Jan 07.
If you need to know anymore Jude, just let me know and I'll try to help you out.
Bye for now,
Angela x
JudeR
Posted
I'm so sorry, there maybe some confusion. What we're doing here on this post is listing all the questions we're going to ask in a survey, we can all contribute to what questions can be asked and then PUK are going to run the survey, send it out to everyone so we can collate the statistics. Please please do contribute though, what would you want to know about your fellow sufferers?
I probably can't even say this on here but I'm on Facebook, my name is Jude Robinson, I have a red cardigan on, can you find me that way?
Love and hugs
Jude xxx
Guest
Posted
Lin who looks after Patient UK members will sort your password out with you (she'll write to the email address you supplied).
G
Guest
Posted
So that I can check our database and sort your account out - please can you e-mail me directly.
Regards
Lin
JudeR
Posted
We're still looking for contributions as to what questions you would like to ask fellow sufferers. We would really appreciate your input.
Many thanks
Jude xxx
Guest
Posted
Where can I find your email address, so I can send you an email
Cheers,
Angela
Guest
Posted
Site Admin
jubilee
Posted
A. 12 weeks
Q. Were you offered a MRI Scan?
A. Yes I had one done.
Q. When you were diagnosed with Prolapsed Disc, were you offered Physiotherapy?
A. Yes I had physio but it was after my Operation.
Q. Were you offered Pain Medication?
A. Yes, Diclofenac, Dihydrocodeine and Paracetamol, Tramadol, nsaids
Q. Did you see your GP first with the Pain?
A. Yes, but he didn't refer me to a Consultant as the Hospital.
Q. If you were offered a Operation, how long was it from pain starting to Operation carried out?
A. 28 wks
Q. What type of disc did you have?
A. Prolapsed Disc
Q. Where was your pain mostly?
A. Back, Buttock, right Leg and foot. I experienced numbness, burning sensation, weakness and loss of heel reflex in ankle.
Q. Has Prolapsed Disc prevented you from doing things?
A. Yes I was really limited.
Q. If you normally work have you been off Sick?
A. Yes for over 6 months .
Q. If operated on were you told about the risks fully?
A. Yes, wasn't given a choice of Hospital.
Q. Were you offered a choice of Open or Micro Discectomy?
A. No.
Q. Did you feel confident with your Consultant?
A. Yes I did.
Q. How did you feel Physio helped?
A. helped me a bit
Q. With your Prolapse what activities did you feel you couldn't do?
A. Stand, Walk, Sit, Lie down, Run, Bend, Kneel, use Bath or Shower, ,couldn't lift any weight.
Q. If you went to A & E with the condition what happened?
A. n/a
Guest
Posted
just been reading your experiences with a prolapsed disc and i've noticed you say you suffered loss of heel reflex. I have this and have been informed it is called foot-drop. I am now 9 weeks post-operative of a discectomy on L4/L5 and do not see any improvement in my foot eventhough the pain from my legs and back has gone.
I was wondering if you are still suffering with the lack of foot movement or has is got any better. If so, how long did it take. Where you given specific exercises to assist your healing.
Any info would be great!
Ta
jubilee
Posted
just been reading your experiences with a prolapsed disc and i've noticed you say you suffered loss of heel reflex. I have this and have been informed it is called foot-drop. I am now 9 weeks post-operative of a discectomy on L4/L5 and do not see any improvement in my foot eventhough the pain from my legs and back has gone.
I was wondering if you are still suffering with the lack of foot movement or has is got any better. If so, how long did it take. Where you given specific exercises to assist your healing.
Any info would be great!
Ta[/quote:2cc1932ce7]
Luckily my foot drop improved immediately, I did have physio for a limited time only after my op.
My main problem is the pain in my back is recurring not sure why but was told that it might never go away after op anyway.
Least the main problem and pain in my leg has gone!
HTH
Donna