Surgery back
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi looking for some help plz.
Basically im in my early 30s, I was injured & resulted in 2 slipped/bulging discs l3/4 or 4/5, right at bottom with them compressing bilaterally on the nerves. I have had many numerous facet joint blocks, sleeve root nerve blocks, epidurals, steroids, I have also had a nucleoplasty all to of which have not had any major success, I have regular root blocks every 5/6months which help give me abit more movement & a little help with pain but I still have to take a mix of meds- currently ranging from minimum 400mg -500/600mg morphine daily (mix of slow release & fast) alongside I take amytriptaline 75mg, & various others for depression/anxiety, I have built up a very high tolerance & even at these doses they only help me to function minimally, I can't bend, I can't walk distances, I struggle with everything. I have issues with severe leg pains, pins & needles resulting in numbness & no feeling for periods of time, burning sensations in the soles of my feet & bottom like I'm been prodded with a poker, also get really bad cramps & hands/feet seize up & unable to release them. Since the injury I have incontinence problems, frequent retention, both urine & faeces.
so after many years of having blocks etc, my consultant as now said he's concerned due to the fact of having issues with bladder & level of pain & non successful treatments for long periods as informed me many times I will always have long term problems & this will never go but will not continue to give blocks & says no further options available, when I've asked about surgery he says they don't like to do this as not guaranteed to work & he cannot do the surgery, I would under no terms be able to cope without regular blocks & just mess, do I push to be ref to a neuro/back consultant? Would surgery help? I'm so young & my quality of life is rubbish.
0 likes, 33 replies
CHICO_MARX Diamond14
Posted
Why are you wasting all this time on pain relief when you have to get to the root cause of the problem. MMR (sometimes inconclusive), better yet, CT/Myelogram with contrast...the "gold standard" for spine tests. See a NEUROSURGEON, not a GP or neurologist. Find the problem, get the work done.
I had severe sciatica five years ago that nothing fixed. Neuro went in and found a bone spur "crushing" (his word) my sciatic nerve root at L4/L5. Simple laminectomy, same day surgery, walked out, zero pain, no rehab. Gotta know the cause and fix it.
Diamond14 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Thanks I have had ct/MRI scans it shows the nerves been compressed by the discs. The consultant said nothing can do & to live with it alongside my meds & no further pain blocks, it's led to all sorts of other problems
jessica_78456 Diamond14
Posted
I agree with tucker don't take no for an answer and yes something can be done . If yr consultant is telling u otherwise he's must be 💩At his job and may not have the skills to help u good luck
CHICO_MARX Diamond14
Posted
"...nothing can do..." is bullpuckey. I had that laminectomy done to cure my sciatica and just had a fusion at L2/L3 for severe stenosis.
Search YouTube for "globus lateral"...they do the fusion from your side ("lateral"
not your back. LLIF Fusion: 90-minute op, one night in the hospital, immediate pain relief, zero rehab. Absolutely the "silver bullet" cure. Posterior and lateral pix attached. (You can see the rails from my old TLIF fusion below it.) Fantastic piece of engineering!!!!!
Tuckerraz Diamond14
Posted
See a different surgeon - I have replied to you on another thread. If the discs are pressing the nerves that is EXACTLY what discectomy surgery is for. Don't take no for an answer, you MUST see another neurosurgeon.
jessica_78456 Diamond14
Posted
Diamond14 jessica_78456
Posted
Yep they have caused problems with my hormone levels & no good for bones either, I am going to push to be ref as I'm young & have lived with this long enough & it's like they don't want to try surgery as my consultant said research doesn't say it's that effective, my last MRI in sept still showed nerves compressing & I was told to continue with my regular blocks & now I'm told nothing can be done
Ginagirl Diamond14
Posted
Hi ice queen
I suffer with similar symptoms as your Injury at work as a Nurse when younger.. I am now 60 suffered this most of my young life from 1981 when it first started..
i am on similar meds to you! Pains in my legs, severe burning and electric pains tenderness, unbearable to touch the skin.. footwear is reduced to slip on sandals.. low heels. Can't walk far either when I am on my feet.. otherwise transferring on one leg, to wheelchair, toilet, bed.there is little hope for me either, a Chronic permanent condition, that was not my fault..
has caused my my life to less than enjoyable, I have to Plan visits.. cannot be spontaneous like I was ,and the condition rules..
Operations on these type types of conditions are not very successful, and very often patients end up worse than before.
So I would consider if you want help and take a risk, go for keyhole surgery, minimal invasiveness.
IF you are getting problems with your bowel and Urinary tract, sexual organsare you need to be sure, there is a condition.
Cauda Equina Syndrome is a serious condition which occurs when the nerves located at the bottom of the spinal cord – known as the ‘cauda equina’ – become compressed. This compression causes Cauda Equina Syndrome which can manifest in a number of different ways (see Cauda Equina Syndrome Signs And Symptoms below). make sure your Doctor rules this out..
Diamond14 Ginagirl
Posted
this is my exact same situation. This is all caused through work, 2 bulging discs compressing bilaterally resulting in numerous blocks, epidurals, nucleoplasty, I'm now under gynae for them to see what's happening as all problems started since back problems, if they was a chance surgery would help & give me more of quality of life I would have it tomorrow, I don't get out of bed for days, can't put my shoes on have to get my child to do it, force myself to work as I suffer with really bad depression due to all this as I was so active prior to injury. I'm the same with the walking & my leg gives way, have no sensation & burning on soles of feet, in my bottom, my hands/feet go rigid & wont release & this is becoming more frequent yet my pain specialist still says there is nothing else that could be done. Thanks
Ginagirl Diamond14
Posted
I'm so sorry for you, I completely understand, my daughter helps me too. An Angel bless them..Sounds like you should be kinder to yourself, do what you can.. Work isn't really an option for you is it, it makes things worse obviously. I'm not at all surprised you suffer depression.. PAIN can do this every time, have you any close Family who can help & support you and your child, get some help with finances to give you a choice to at least start to improve your life? Even if it's to STOP worrying about work & Bills.
If there is a risk the Surgeons won't do it percentage rate is poor, so life needs to be maintained for you at your easiest level..with rest and being manageable, as a DISABILITY.. Blessings??
Diamond14 Ginagirl
Posted
I have good family support it's just hard when so used to doing things yourself. I need to work & force myself to go as if I didn't it would send me into deeper depression & I won't let it ruin my life more than it has done, however I do struggle & have time off when needed for procedures.
As I'm only young I know I won't make it to retirement age but am trying to think long term & need the support from my specialist which doesn't seem to be happening I feel if he can't do it then nothing can be done not the fact I can be ref to another specialist for their opinion.
Ginagirl Diamond14
Posted
So we have to put our realistic glasses on and look to the future even short term, live with what you have and don't struggle on.. I did that it will just cause more stress to you and build.. you need Financial support in place for when the time comes for you to finally give up work. If you are struggling now this may be sooner than you think. Your strength won't last forever and plan an easier manageable future for yourself. If you don't you'll be the cause of your own demise, don't be a hero. Save yourself!
jim61401 Diamond14
Posted
Hi Icequeen
?I have written this on a few responses - my belief and recommendation is to spend the necessary time and get several second opinions - I was hesitant at first and felt awkward to do this but in my case I went to four separate surgeons and by the end of these visits, I had enough information and made the connection with the surgeon I wanted to complete my operation with - I switched surgeons after having scheduled my first surgery date and then let them know I was changing surgeons - they get it and if they don't then they are not the surgeon you would want. I say spine surgeon or neurosurgen as Chico Marx wrote - with severe back pain you have to get to doctors that have completed fellowships and complete surgerys by the hundreds and have seen it all before. No one wants to have surgery and it should be the very last resort, but if you see a spine or neuro surgeon, they will know exactly what to do once they see the MRI and Catscan. All the best. Jim
Carolineq8 Diamond14
Posted
Ah this is shocking! You need to get a second opinion and be referred to a neurosurgeon ASAP,and if you still do t get answeres then keep on being referred until you find someone who will look after you. I can't believe there letting you suffer like this.
Good luck and let us know how you get on 😊
Diamond14 Carolineq8
Posted
I think they feel you are putting it on & exaggerating the level of pain you are in, my tolerance for medications is so high as they have minimal effect, it's hard as I'm still so young, I am going to demand to be referred to a neurosurgeon as I cannot continue like this & more so will not be able to without the nerve root blocks, I'm unsure if my gp could refer me or if it has to come from the pain management consultant as he is the one who keeps saying nothing more can be done & basically live with it.
Carolineq8 Diamond14
Posted
Then I would go to your GP to be referred, my doc has always been the one to do my referrals. Good luck I hope you get sorted soon 😊
jessica_78456 Carolineq8
Posted
This day and age there is a very good chance more can be done, it all boils down to cost . U have to fight for everything's these days. I ve be come quite good at it and iam 99 % successful I will fight to the end always if I think something can be done or if something is not right.