Spinal Stenosis or something trapping the blood supply to my legs

I have been trying to write an answer to your question - but it's Sunday and we have all the family around, so it would have been rude of me to ignore them and start posting on here. Anyway, I hope we can shed more light on your problem.

I am assuming you have had a MRI Scan and you have a copy of the report from a Neurologist Consultant? I noticed you seen a Neurology Professor in London, I also did about 30 years ago, but my diagnosis took nearly two years before a Team of Neurologists and a top Professor of Neurology came to meet me in London, from New York, US. I am now under the British President of Neurology Dr G. Fuller, whom I see regularly.

Firstly, you said you have never been referred to a Physio or to a Pain Management Clinic. You should be under a Neurologist at least, they can refer you to the correct people and departments, a standard Physio would be out of the question, because of spinal injuries to the nervous system which is what is causing the problems with your legs, an Epidural is only a temporary painkiller - it is not a way of controlling numbness in your calves, hamstrings, etc.

Secondly, you need to change your Doctor, he sounds totally useless and does not know enough about your conditions to comment on it. I am lucky my doctor is a woman, and her husband is a Neurologist at the same hospital I attend. You need to see a Neurologist Consultant or the Neurologist Professor in London, and ask them for a new MRI scan and that you are also thinking about a Neurophysiotherapist (this is not a standard Physiotherapist), they are trained also in neurosymptoms, hence they are more successful at getting areas working again, or areas of the body that give you pain once you sit or lie down, where an accident was the initial cause of your problems, and how they are associated to the brain.

Claudication usually means you have low blood flow and oxygen, usually this affects the legs. More blood flow and oxygen is required by your legs if you are walking. When resting then the oxygen in legs is decreased and the blood flow also decreases, this is what causes an ache or a burn feeling

Because you are in the UK, you have numerous schemes that can also help you, I would therefore suggest you ask your (NEW) Doctor to refer you to be reviewed by a District Nurse. They can provide you with an Electic Hospital Bed, I have one myself, because of back, shoulder and legs problems all relating to a nerve disorder, caused by a damaged area of nerves. If the bed you get is unsuitable you can ask about adaptions to be fitted, to suit you.

If you require further help, you can then contact your local Adult Social Care which will be operating from your local council, and state that you would like a "Full Review" regarding your current disabilities. They will allocate an Occupational Therapist to you, whom will visit you and go through ways of making your life more independant, large items between £1,000 and £5,000 are done through a Disability Funding Grant, items below £1,000 are normally done via the Occupational Therapists Budget Funding.

But you do really need to see a Neurologist first, and get yourself a new Doctor or another decent Doctor to refer you. You need a MRI scan done and a report from it, you may not know what everything means, but at least we can go through it with you. I can go through what a lot of it means anyway, I can suggest medications you should be on, and what you should not be on - Many Doctors do not know the Fatal conditions some people are in, literally walking "Time-bombs", though no fault of their own, because of counteracting medications that cause chemical imbalances in the brain. I am not saying this may happen to you, but it has happened to me previously.

If you have had an MRI Scan and the full report is given, you could type it out so we can have a look at it for you. I cannot believe that all they have given you is an Epidural... that is mad!! The only time I had an Epidural was in hospital, but I was staying in hospital for over three weeks, hence I was on Morphine, Oralmorph and Paracetamol, as well as the Epidural. Most of the time I kept my Morphine levels high just to keep pain at levels I could tolerate. I certainly did not leave hospital without being put on Class "A" painkillers.

I see Neurology Consultants, Epilepsy Specialists and also attend Pain Management Clinic outpatient appointments. I have already got two Neurology appointments a week apart at the end of January and the beginning of February. The trouble with all these cuts being made to the NHS is appointments easily get overlooked, so I book mine well in advance by about 5 weeks to make sure I am seen when I am supposed to be. One time I didn't, and the hospital contacted me 7 months later, when I am supposed to be seen every 10 weeks at the maximum. When I eventually got to see my Neurologist, I was in so much pain because of the delay, that has never happened since.

If you need any help regarding schemes you could be on, let me know - I have help many people on these forums, to schemes they never knew existed. Do you mind me asking your age, roughly? I only ask because it will give me a better idea of what you are entitled to, then I can go over the schemes with you.

I am always around these forums, answering peoples questions, etc.. Doctors can be reported, just like any other employee, they are not invincible - and you should be treated with respect, a doctor to patient relationship should be good, not sarcastic or horrid like yours.

"I wish you well", that's a stupid saying! - it would be nice, if we could all be well with no ailments, disorders or illnesses, I guess we can all dream.

Regards,

Les.

3-do your exercises one is squats in front of a chair also do standing calf raises 10 reps but if you can't do ten do five and try to do three sets!!!

 I am a physical therapist and I help people who are having trouble walking 

p.s. I give Therphy to those who are having trouble walking....ironic 

p.s.s. Pics are of my back had l2 l3 l4 l5 fusion,after 5 weeks of Therphy im up and walking with no restrictions...one last thing walk,walk,walk and when you're done walking walk some more!

bruce

p.s.i give Therphy to people who are having trouble walking