Pain in the Butt

[Onelife]

Hi all,

I've had numerous back problems over the years, but have for the past 6 months been suffering with low, at time excruciating back pain. Had a mri scan a couple of years back which showed up a L3 L4 prolapse which l presume is what is causing the pain....saw my doctor two weeks ago (due to see her again on Monday) she proscribed gabapentin in addition to the other pain tablets l am already taking.....the gabapentin hasn't as yet kicked in so l am still in considerable pain. I am currently on the 'waiting list' for physio, which is just as well as l couldnt do any bending and stretching at the moment. Just wondeering if any of you have experienced a prolapsed disc and how you went about resolving it.

P.s l have had numbness in the area of L3 L4 with sciatic pain in my butt...This has now eased but the pain around L3 L4 has increased with constant sharp crippling bouts of pain.

I suppose it will be a case of going through the process but any advice would be appreciated

Pp.s..l am already using hot and cold treament on my back.

Regards

Keith

[david63]

I am currently on the 'waiting list' for physio

Don't know what it is like in your area but a few years ago I had a problem with my shoulder, literally could not move my arm. I was put on the list for physio and after about a week had a call which went something like this:

"Is it urgent?"
"I don't know - what is the difference?"
"If it's urgent then we should be able to see you in six weeks, if not then it will be at least six months"

I went private starting the next day and within six weeks my shoulder was back to normal - still waiting for the NHS appointment!

[Onelife]

I am currently on the 'waiting list' for physio

Don't know what it is like in your area but a few years ago I had a problem with my shoulder, literally could not move my arm. I was put on the list for physio and after about a week had a call which went something like this:

"Is it urgent?"
"I don't know - what is the difference?"
"If it's urgent then we should be able to see you in six weeks, if not then it will be at least six months"

I went private starting the next day and within six weeks my shoulder was back to normal - still waiting for the NHS appointment!

Hi David...my telephone call went along the same lines......After 10 minutes she said that she would get me in as soon as posible...whatever that means....as it is at the moment l couldn't stand any physio so l'm not pushing to hard.....l have looked up some exercises on line which l will start when hopefully things ease off a bit.

Regards

keith

[GillD46]

If it was appropriate, would you consider surgery? If so, ask for a referral to a Neurosurgeon. My husband had two severely prolapsed discs that kept him off work for six months. As a GP this was a great problem both the the Practice, who had to find a reliable locum, but also to us as we had to pay for the locum!

He had surgery eventually, which helped somewhat with the pain, but by the time he had the surgery, his discs were far too hard to be removed. And while trying to make “room” by removing healthy bone, his spinal cord was damaged, leaving him with constant discomfort in his feet and numbness and tingling from the waist down - hence not being able to sit for long. Nevertheless, all this is better than the totally unbearable pain he had before.

I would certainly consider asking for a referral, whether it be to a Neurosurgeon or Orthopaedic durgeon, whever deals with backs in your Trust.

[Onelife]

If it was appropriate, would you consider surgery? If so, ask for a referral to a Neurosurgeon. My husband had two severely prolapsed discs that kept him off work for six months. As a GP this was a great problem both the the Practice, who had to find a reliable locum, but also to us as we had to pay for the locum!

He had surgery eventually, which helped somewhat with the pain, but by the time he had the surgery, his discs were far too hard to be removed. And while trying to make “room” by removing healthy bone, his spinal cord was damaged, leaving him with constant discomfort in his feet and numbness and tingling from the waist down - hence not being able to sit for long. Nevertheless, all this is better than the totally unbearable pain he had before.

I would certainly consider asking for a referral, whether it be to a Neurosurgeon or Orthopaedic durgeon, whever deals with backs in your Trust.

Thank Gill......sorry to hear about your husbands problems, l had similar problems for well over three years before and after having a double distectomy with spinal fusion but they did eventually ease off.

It is my intention to ask to be refereed when l see my doctor on Monday.....at least then l will be in the system.

Regards
keith

[Whynd1]

My husband is to be operated on by a neurosurgeon next month. He has had a problem with the ulna erve in his right arm and it has affected the hand as well.

It has taken from the beginning of January to get this far. He is now not in so much pain but ihe struggles to do day to day tasks. In all the investigations they cannot actually where the nerve has moved to.

I myself have had to have several bone scans for a bad back but they have put it down to wear appropriate to my age !!!!!



Lindsey

[Stephen]

Hi Keith

Yep, as you say it's the usual "going through the motions for all these things" when all you want is for someone to put it right now, not in god knows how many months time.

Have you asked your doctor/consultant about having a spinal pain relief injection where you are admitted to hospital as a day patient and are taken to theatre and they give you the injection under local anaesthetic.

[Onelife]

Hi Keith

Yep, as you say it's the usual "going through the motions for all these things" when all you want is for someone to put it right now, not in god knows how many months time.

Have you asked your doctor/consultant about having a spinal pain relief injection where you are admitted to hospital as a day patient and are taken to theatre and they give you the injection under local anaesthetic.

Hi Stephen,

l'm hopping on Monday that my doctor agrees that l need to be referred which, other than paying privately is the only way l will get to see a consultant.
I have had spinal injections previously after fracturing my back.....They did help and should l get to see a consultant l would imagine this will be one of the options open to me......gawd knows how long that will take though. I have looked at going privately but should l need surgery we could be looking at 7k minimum......what l can say is that l can't carry on like this much longer......l've upped my gabatin today to see if that helps.

Regards

keith

[Stephen]

I've sent you an email.

[Onelife]

I've sent you an email.

Sent you a PM

[GillD46]

Wishing you a successful appointment at the GPs and that she will agree you need to be seen by a Consultant. Let us know how you get on won’t you?

[Onelife]

Wishing you a successful appointment at the GPs and that she will agree you need to be seen by a Consultant. Let us know how you get on won’t you?

I will indeed Gill, thank you.

[Happydays]

Quite a few years ago (more than I care to admit) I had back problems with pain also going down my leg it was as you say excruciating couldn't get any relief either sitting or standing, tried injections & tablets etc then was offered surgery (Laminectomy) and the was the best thing that happened to me! I have been left with numbness down my left leg and the edge of my foot but soon got used to that and at least there was NO pain.
I hope you manage to get something appropriate done for you having back pain (or any kind) is no joke!!

[oldbluefox]

You have my sympathy OL. Back pain is not much fun so I hope you get some joy from the GP when you see him/her.

[david63]

One thing that you might want to consider if it is an option is acupuncture. It may sound as if it is "hocus pocus" but, for some, it does work - there speaks the voice of experience

[Onelife]

Quite a few years ago (more than I care to admit) I had back problems with pain also going down my leg it was as you say excruciating couldn't get any relief either sitting or standing, tried injections & tablets etc then was offered surgery (Laminectomy) and the was the best thing that happened to me! I have been left with numbness down my left leg and the edge of my foot but soon got used to that and at least there was NO pain.
I hope you manage to get something appropriate done for you having back pain (or any kind) is no joke!!

Thank you...Happydays.......at least there is hope at the end of the tunnel, albeit a long one.

[Onelife]

You have my sympathy OL. Back pain is not much fun so I hope you get some joy from the GP when you see him/her.

Thank you

[Onelife]

One thing that you might want to consider if it is an option is acupuncture. It may sound as if it is "hocus pocus" but, for some, it does work - there speaks the voice of experience

Hi David......l've had two courses of acupuncture over the years both relating to back problems, unfortunately neither worked on those occasions.

I've had a slightly better day today although l think it has something to do with me upping my pain killers......roll on Monday.

Thank you

keith

[Kendhni]

Hi Keith
Have PM'd you since Julie has suffered severe degenerative problems with her back for many years to the point that the doctor now allows her to self medicate (with conditions). She was offered an opportunity to get metal rods in her back but her doctor, her physio and the surgeon (who was willing to do the operation) advised against it. It has led to sciatic and other problems including occasional paralysis on the left hand side of her body.

She had the physio, acupuncture, spinal injections and other treatments but nothing helped. There are two things that she has found offers some relief. Firstly walking - she finds that help, and her step counter is waving the white flag??? Secondly pilates (but only with a professional instructor - not the ones who have read a book and take classes at the local gym).

Good luck, I know the pain Julie lives with is often severe.

[Onelife]

My husband is to be operated on by a neurosurgeon next month. He has had a problem with the ulna erve in his right arm and it has affected the hand as well.

It has taken from the beginning of January to get this far. He is now not in so much pain but ihe struggles to do day to day tasks. In all the investigations they cannot actually where the nerve has moved to.

I myself have had to have several bone scans for a bad back but they have put it down to wear appropriate to my age !!!!!



Lindsey

Hello Lindsey...pleased to her your husband can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.....hope all goes well for him.

l think those of us who have suffered long term pain/disability also have to endure the fact that we are putting presure on our partners to keep things going around house and garden......This l find very hard as l'm sure your husband dose.

keep smiling

Regards

keith

[Whynd1]

Keith

The thing is hechas been told that there will be no or little improvement for a few months, and will probably have pins and needles for some time.

I'm being taught on how to operate the lawn mower !!!!!!!!
Still a friend of ours was to have an operation on her back tomorrow for disc problems. She had the phone call to let her know about her op, then another one a few hours later. Yes she says you just rang me, no they said the theatre is to have a deep clean this weekend and it might overrun so we have cancelled your op.
No further date has been put forward, the thing is this is a major op and she will be off work for approx 9 months she has been told.
So arrangements get made then unmade.

Take care of yourself Keith.

[Stephen]

Been there Whynd1 on more than one occasion. Horrible when it happens. You're all geared up for the big day and then the phone rings. You know almost before you answer it what the call is about.

I've even been sat by the hospital bed waiting, to then be told the op cannot be carried out because of no theatre nurses available.......if you believe that
.

Hope your doc visit goes the way you want today Kieth

[Onelife]

Thanks Stephen...just got back from my doctors appointment....She advised me that they don't refer straight to a consultant without having had prior investigations... to this end I have been booked in for a MRI. When this will be I have no idea but it is a step in the right direction...in the mean time she said I should "man up a bit".... squeak! Squeak!... and keep taking the pills

Just this minute had a phone call from the physio... appointment 11th sept

Regards

Keith

[Manoverboard]

Thanks Stephen...just got back from my doctors appointment....She advised me that they don't refer straight to a consultant without having had prior investigations... to this end I have been booked in for a MRI. When this will be I have no idea but it is a step in the right direction...in the mean time she said I should "man up a bit".... squeak! Squeak!... and keep taking the pills

Just this minute had a phone call from the physio... appointment 11th sept

Regards

Keith

Spot on and remember the saying " Gabapentin is for wimps "

ps … all the very best for the 11th September

[Whynd1]

My husband has just had a phone call from the pre op assessment clinic his appointment for his assessment next Monday is cancelled due to an emergency. How do they know a week in advance that they will have an emergency.
Lindsey