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Spinal disc closed onto nerve and can not walk

Posted , 4 users are following.

Chrisra
Chrisra

Hi, My mum has had really bad legs for 3 months, she had a MRI scan and the doctors told her her disc's are closing togeather and pushing on the nerves and to expect a consultation soon as its marked as urgent. We phoned them up today and they said she will have to wait another 3 months and if they operate it could be another 6 months. My mum can hardly walk and is really depressing her. What can we do as this is to long for her to wait. Also 3 to 4 years ago my mum had an operations for crumbling disk, which if they hadn't treated then she might of been paralysed, please help as this can not how long my mum will need to wait.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • archemedes
    archemedes Chrisra

    Posted

    Has your mums doctor prescribed your mum Naproxen tablets yes, as they can relieve spinal pain?
    • archemedes
      archemedes

      Posted

      That should have read 'yet', and not yes....sorry

       

    • Chrisra
      Chrisra archemedes

      Posted

      Hi archemedes, I'm not sure I don't think so, but she has been prescribed 2 or 3 medicines that haven't worked including morphine.
    • archemedes
      archemedes Chrisra

      Posted

      Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

      Naproxen is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps. 

      I suffer with a spinal stenosis and this drug was prescribed for me and I have to admit it has been a live-saver.

      If there is a problem with it, it can cause indigestion on which regular indigestion medication should not be used.

      The tablets need to be taken with milk, and in addition th which your doctor could prescribe your mum an additional tablet by the name of Omeprazole which is used to get rid of any indigestion problems.

      I would suggest that either you or your mum should ask her doctor if these medications could be used in her case.

      As I said before, they have helped me - a lot.

    • archemedes
      archemedes

      Posted

      Please let me know how your mum goes on.
    • Chrisra
      Chrisra archemedes

      Posted

      Hi archemedes,

      I have asked my mum about naproxen, and she was taking it for a month but didn't work and was making her ill.

      We really want to find out how we can speed her operation up, she can not be stuck at home for the next nine months not being able to go out.

      Are the any organisations or routes we can take to at least complain.

    • archemedes
      archemedes Chrisra

      Posted

      This is very difficult at this time due to all the pressures on the NHS.

      The only ones I can think of that you could try is firstly an impassioned plea to your GP stating all the facts as you see them, and then if that does not work, an official complaint under the official NHS Complaints Procedure.

      I could give you the appropriate NHS URL here but the Moderator will pick that up and delay it coming to you.

      If you just Google 'NHS Compaints Procedure' it will tell you everything that you will have to do.

      Do not be put-off when it refers to cancelled operastions, just put a complaint in.

      Another suggestion is to Google Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) as they may be able to help.

      The last suggestion is by lobbying your MP. Generally these people want peace and quiet, but if you really make a fuss they may take-up the gauntlet on your behalf.

      That's all I can think of at this time, but if I come up with anything else I will let you know.

  • patricia4866
    patricia4866 Chrisra

    Posted

    Chrisra, there is a difference in that I am in the States and you are in the UK but I am 66yrs old and had a L4-L5 spinal fusion, Laminectomy and. disectomy 11/11/14 so I am coming up on 4 months post-op. I had

    severe spinal stenosis which sounds like your Mom's problem also. I

    also had prolapsed the disc between L4-L5. I am an RN who worked on

    Ortho Surg which is right down the hallway from Neuro-Surg...yet it took them 13 months to get me to surgery. Unfortunately they tend to treat

    conservatively rather than to jump straight to surgical intervention. I

    worked 3 12hr shifts every week on an Ortho Surg unit...PT did nothing

    for me either. Fortunately I have a very high pain tolerance. I was able to maintain ADLs with OTC Ibuprophen 600mg every 8 hrs, ice and a sturdy back brace. If your Mom begins falling w/o warning you should take her to the Emergency Dept or at the very least call her Neurosurgeon...safety issues usually trump pain issues. A cord compression is a funny acting

    condition. I was brushing my teeth one morning and suddenly my hips began swaying. I realized that I was probably going to fall, so I was able to use the vanity to lower myself safely to the floor. Once the pressure on

    the nerve was relieved, I was fine and could stand up. The entire episode lasted approximately 20 seconds.

    I hope some of my story will be of some help to you Mom. Please keep us informed of her progress.

    Patricia

  • maggi7
    maggi7 Chrisra

    Posted

    So your Mum has to wait up to six months......Welcome to my world! I've been in agony for SEVEN YEARS. No relief except painkillers to which I've long been immune. Told that no surgery wlil help. Meanwhile, my son died of a late-diagnosed cancer. And I was told two weeks ago that my heart condition has progressed to untreatable status. I have to just get on with life. No-one has ever helped me. No-one ever WILL. 
  • Chrisra
    Chrisra

    Posted

    Hi everyone, thank you for the replies and this is a really helpful start to find a ways we can go about getting this done.

    I'm going to take my mum to a&e and demand some answers, from experience you don't get answers from shouting.

    We have tried everything and when my mum had the op before she was rushed to hospital, so hope things materialise that way.

  • gem10245
    gem10245 Chrisra

    Posted

    Just a note Chrisra, but as far as we know if it was marked as urgent or related to as urgent your Mother should be seen with-in 15 day's.

    If sent (etc) as an emergency - it is 7 days

    If sent (etc) as an urgent case - it is 15 days

  • Chrisra
    Chrisra

    Posted

    Hey everyone, my mum went to see the consultant today after getting the appointment bought forward.

    The conclusion is she has a cyst on the spine, which would make sense as a week a go get back all of a sudden started to feel 100% better with only soreness. The consultant said it could of burst and should come back in 2 months. Has any had this kind of pain and it be a cyst, also I would of thought they would do a MRI to see if it was still there and also is there a risk of it coming back so many questions they left unanswered.

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