repeat microdiscectomy for my 19yr old daughter

[? Juicy Heiress ?]

Hi everyone,
Although I'm a new member/poster to these forums, I've been checking them out for a while now. If I may share with you my daughter's story it might help a bit with the anxiety I, feeling right now..lol.
It's quite a long story, but here goes.
Keira (my daughter) is 19 now, an ex County swimmer, she used to excel at butterfly, but had to quit competitive swimming at 16 due to A level commitments and a nagging stiff back. All was well with Keira, she passed her A levels and was accepted at the University of Central Lancashire to study Police and Criminal Investigation, but planned to take a year off which she subsequently did - life was good. Out of the blue on May 16th last year, she had a sudden and severe bout of lower abdominal/pelvic pain which did not settle with the normal pain killers. She was sent via our GP to the hospital to investigate the possibility of a kidney stone or apendicitis, was admitted and given an ultrasound scan which revealed nothing - not even the burst ovarian cyst that the general surgeons had suspected, and sent home with dihydracodeine and diclofenac. Her condition didnt improve and gradually worsened over the coming weeks culminating in her re-admission a month later. She was actually on her way down for an MRI scan when the junior doctor came and over-ruled the order for a scan and repeated the ultrasound scan (by this time, we are in late June). Which again showed nothing other than a little bloody free fluid. The general surgeons couldnt get her off the ward fast enough, even leaving her a full weekend on the ward without even seeing a doctor - their excuse ? "sorry, we thought she'd been sent home ! " The surical consultant she was under was convinced hers was a gynacological problem and asked the gynae surgeon to see her on the ward - he refused ! Sooo (I'm sorry this is so long, but it's also theraputic.) In the face of the refusal to see her on the ward, the general surgeon took it upon himself to do a laparoscopy himself and call the on call gynae surgeon down midway through the op - which we were grateful for at the time, as at least he seemed to care. After being seen again in the gynae clinic, and basically told there was nothing wrong but for a few flimsy bowel adhesions, she was referred somewhat like a "hot potato" to the pain management clinic - still without a diagnosis and in considerable severe, unremitting pain. By this time, we were in late July and Keira was due to start Uni in September. The consultant at the pain clinic did something that no-one had yet done, he tested the reflexes in her legs and founf her right leg reflex to be "subtly diminished" and suggested it could be a back problem - still no referall or MRI, not even a follow up appointment at the pain clinic. We decided to try a chiropractor at this point (early August) who agreed it WAS a back problem and started manipulative treatment which did give Keira a little relief. She started at Uni in Preston in September, coming home to Sheffield every weekend for her chirpio treatment, but her condition worsened steadily, despite a referall to the Musculo skeletal service, still no-one seemed to want to get hold of the problem and find out what was causing it. Keira had several trips to A&E both in Sheffield and in Preston, when she just couldnt cope with the pain, was given Diazepam on all occasions and basically told.."well, what do you want us to do about it?". Finally, in desperation, and despite having no medical insurance, we decided the only course of action was to see a private orthopedic consultant after her pain worsened even further, by now she was getting pain and numbness in her right leg too. At Christmas, she finally had - privately, an MRI scan, which showed a severely prolapsed disc at L4/5 with significant nerve root impingement. Keira had been suffering her symptoms for 8 months by now. Our GP finally decided to act, and she was admitted to the neurosu

 

[NuEndrach]

Hello Kate

I'm so sorry to hear of your daughter's problems. I can't offer any answers except to say that it is disgraceful how she has been pushed from pillar to post and that she has been in such pain all the way through. I would seriously consider legal action if it is possible-maybe get your GP to help.

Anyway, much love to your daughter and I sincerely hope that this is the last op she has to endure.

Love

 

[Cougar Hunter]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts Sue, it really does help to have contact with other sympathetic ears. Its 3 and a half hours into the op now, I've just called the ward and she's still in theatre - she was out of recovery after 6 hours last time, so I guess it's still early yet. I think we might go for legal action - will keep you posted though.
Thaks again
Kate

 

[Perntieniagew]

My thoughts are with you too. What a story. I hope you have kept it documented - definately worth a compensation appeal.

Can I also mention - my Dad had back surgery some years back, and was put into compression tights to help prevent swelling/thrombosis in his legs - we were advised at the time, that he was not to attempt to pull them up himself, for at least 10-12 weeks.

 

[iheicummirdipoebu]

What a terrible story. I really sympathise as not so long ago my son went through a lot of pain and ops - but that was after an RTA and he had excellent NHS care. Nonetheless I know how it feels when your child is suffering, it's just awful.
Lots of love to you and your daughter. When she feels up to it it might be a good idea for her to take up Pilates with a very well trained practitioner in order to regain some core strength which will help her in the future.
Sharonxxx

 

[leseotonsnlm]

Hiya everyone,
Thanks so much for all of your kind words and support. Just a quick update on Keira's condition.
She finally arrived back on the ward at 8pm tonight - as you can imagine, it's been an anxious 9 hours waiting to see how her surgery went. Her surgeon came to talk to us while she was still in recovery to tell us he was happy with how it went, although in his words " she bled like hell the first time, and she bled like hell this time as well", lol..he was satisfied he had got all the disc stuff out this time, and she was moving her legs, and her leg strength was already better. He said she would have considerable back pain tonight as he'd had to remove a bit more of the bone to get to the nerve, and had a real good go at clearing the nerve root. He also injected steroid into the area to reduce the inflammation and expected her to be able to come home either Friday or Saturday - so it's pretty good news really. This guy really is the best, we have utmost faith in him and he does seem to have taken Keira's case as a personal challenge - the relief to find someone at last that does actually take time to get to know the patient as a person and not just a body, is almost overwhelming ! He did say though that he's banned her from pulling her own tights up - even if she has to go commando for 6 weeks..
Lets hope that this will be the last episode in the whole story, it's been an awful 8 months for our whole family, but especially Keira. I have been keeping everything well documented tho', and I think in the light of some of the replies I've had to my original post, we will be taking legal advice on making a compensation appeal. Keira had planned to join the police force after gaining her degree and that looks like it could be in serious jeopardy, I would hate to think that her future career has been put at risk by the NHS's apathy and failure to take the necessary steps to diagnose a serious back problem until it got so bad as to require emergency surgery.
Thanks again to everyone who has taken the trouble to reply - it has really helped.
Kate

 

[oykmijum]

Hi

Just read your story and i think that you are absolutely right to be considering making a compensation claim, hope Keira feels better soon and that she is able to move forward with her career and dreams as planned.

Holistic Heaven

 

[Jenine J]

Thanks for the update Kate. It all sounds extremely hopeful and it's great you have found a surgeon who has taken a great deal of trouble. Like you say, there is nothing worse than one of your own having to go through things like this. I think we, as parents, suffer as much, if not more with what they have to go through.

Keep us updated on her progress. And get some rest yourself[:-]

Love

 

[Jade]

hi there - just a quick update between visiting times..
You're so right, Sue as parents it's horrible to be totallypowerless to do anything to comfort your child when she/he is in distress and considerable pain, as a mum all through your kids life,when they hurt you can usually make it better..not this time, and it's hard. I know I'm not alone in thinking that if I could bear the pain for her, I would do so gladly. Keira's not having a very good day today, her back is really painful as are her legs. We had a bit of a scare earlier, as the physio came to try to get her up and walking and her right leg (the bad one) wouldnt take her weight, the physio was concerned, which obviously sent me into a state of high anxiety too. A different doc came and examined Keira, doing pin tests on both legs, testing her reflexes and doing another examination that he needed a chaperone for, so I'm guessing it was the anal control test ! He seemed quite satisfied though, that the weakness and pain was nothing to worry about and to be expected after a 6 hour op! Shortly after, Keira did manage to get up and use the commode and she said her leg strength felt better, she was a bit more stable - Thank God, the one thing that terrifies me is that she won't be able to walk, she's only 19 with all her life ahead of her, it just seems too cruel for a kid that once won the Derbyshire swimming championships, but I guess that's life. Hopefully her pain will settle over the next few days and she'll start to feel some relief from her symptoms - I'll keep updating on her progress, thanks again so much for your concern and interest.
Kate

 

[Twosocks]

Hi Kate

How's it going now? I sent you a pm. Hope Keira is making good progress.

Sugar xxx

 

[gavilan_rood]

did she have surgery in preston .who was her surgeon .? i had a discectomy in preston in oct 06 and it re herniated .how is she doing now?

 

[Arturo B]

I've been wondering how Keira is getting on too. Hope she is making a good recovery.

 

[wieeiudwiakilmeuw]

Hiya Everyone,

Thanks for your interest
I haven't been posting on here as much lately as Keira is doing so well
She's now 6 weeks (today) post op and is back at Uni - it's incredible how well she's done really, I think it's partly due to her age and level of fitness pre-op, but she's worked really hard too. She has a little back pain now and again, but (and I've got into the habit of touching wood before I say this) very little residual leg pain and her ankle reflex is finally returning. She walks a lot, takes really good care of her posture in lectures and has even been back in the swimming pool - doing back, breast and freestyle. I can't even begin to say how much of a relief it is to have her almost pain free after so long. The surgery was the best thing she could have done, although I appreciate it's not the best option for everyone. Keira is finally beginning to be able to enjoy university life and looks on course to continue and complete her degree - thank God !!
In reply to one poster (can't remember which one, lol) Keira had her surgery in Sheffield, not Preston, but I think that was purely down to the fact she was home for Christmas when it got to the emergency stage. Her consultant was a Mr J.Rowe but it was his senior reg we dealt with most, Dr Sinha, he was absolutely wonderful and couldn't do enough for Keira. I can't commend either of them highly enough.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to pm me.
Thanks again to eveyone for your support and interest.

Kate

 

[jliavzta]

Well that's marvellous. Congratulations to you all for all your hard work!

 

[chevvyl]

hello, I am so very very sorry your daughter is living thru all of that and soo young ! GET LEGAL ADVISE AND SUE THEM!!! Dr's like that should NOT be in practice I was horrified to read that ! I myself had back surgery which left me disabled at 33 that lead to no medical insurance I can relate to that part as even to get care for my pain i was paying out of pocket 800.00 US dollars per month (I live in states) . when she had the surgery how long did they have her resting ?? seems she pulled that very quickly . for few first 6-8 weeks i know from having the surgery there is no long term sitting no bending etc etc due to fact there's a hole in disk and needs to heal or can cause serious damage . Was it same area?? I really hope she will be doing better unfortunatly the raw truth is once u have back issues especially involving back surgery u will have back trouble rest of life . I had one surgery Discectomy and it left me disabled and addicted to pain meds which i have to take to get out of bed for the rest of my life I am 37 yrs young . because she is so young and pain is life altering as a suggestion if u can get her into therapy . Pain can lead to serious depression I know i live it everyday and it does alter one life beyong any comprehension one can imagine unless you live it . Do not by all means let them dr's get away with that that course of action they did made that matter worse i agree and they will do it to others . I understand her health is 100@ 1st priority plz take just an hr of your time meet with a lawyer and he can do the rest I know here if u could prove what happened here u would be looking at a 7 digit law suit and tho money does not solve living in pain it will also be on their record and maybe even brake them to point they cant practice thats severe neglect and not for one moment should they lay hands or BAD opionion on another humanbeing . I hope she will be fine as well as u and your family . Take care ... Snakieeee

 

[Flutterbye]

Hi treetalkin,I think you should take action against the health Authority involved as a scan early on was whatwas needed.
I think you should alsobring your daughters condition to the attention of the right people in the swimming arena.
How many other12 to 16 year olds will damage their spines doing butterfly ?
What recordingmethods are there available ?
Changes to training, even dropping the stroke from compititionfor under 18s ?
The breastroke kick caused severe knee problems for years before it was changed !
Do you wish you more aware of the risks of High levels of hard training at a time when bones are growing at their fastest yet have not ossified ?
Thechase forolympic gold in 2012 has already begun lets hope the price paid by our youngathletes is not too high !
Regards and good luck Steve

 

[Tinytears]

Hiya again everyone and thanks for all your advice and good wishes,
Steve, I couldn't agree more with you re: butterfly swimming at a young age when bodies are still developing. I've considered doing a little research into the numbers of swimmers who swam butterfly from an early age and subsequently developed back trouble, the problem is I'm not sure how I would approach it, but I'm in total agreement that the A.S.A. should be made aware and will certainly take steps to do just that, in my opinion, if it could be proved that having no age guidelines contributed to Keira's problems then we could even have a case against them for failing in their duty of care toward her. As I type (4.00 am - can't sleep ) Keira's recovery has come to an abrupt and unexpected halt. She was doing absolutely brilliantly and we were actually daring to believe she might be over the worst, she'sgot a cold and been sneezing etc, but her back and leg were fine. She merely stood up from a sitting position and had a bolt of pain down her "bad" leg, which subsequently went first numb, then tingly down the full length, and the pain settled in her back. This was on Saturday night, it settled a little overnight and was not too bad most of sunday, until teatime, when the groin pain she had originally came on suddenly, this too settled but the pain in her back is still there. She rang the hospital ward she'd been on and by some miracle got to speak to the doc she has the most faith in, he asked her a few questions and told her he'd speak to the consultant and get her in for a scan in the next few days - so that's where we are now, waiting again. [] I wonder where Keira gets her strength from really, I can barely bear to think of her going through it all again, and she's worked so hard to get back to uni etc and get her life back on course, I'm just hoping beyond hope it hasnt re-herniated, there can't be much of the disc left to herniate, it could be muscular, I just dont know all we can do is hope and pray she just tweaked a muscle and irritated the nerve, but Keira is convinced she's done it again and will need spinal fusion this time. God, this is hard, like some awful recurring nightmare there seems no end to. She's so strong and brave, she shames me sometimes, her philosophy is " it can always be worse" and we're all hoping for the best but trying to prepare for the worst. Sorry for spilling it all out, but I could just cry for her, and to cap it all, she can't even claim any benefits as she's still a full-time student, unable to work and with no money the odds are stacked against her, but she keeps going - if she gave in and left uni, she could claim incapacity benefit, income support and DLA, but she won't give up and for that I can only admire and support her. I just hope to God she gets a break and this latest setback is nothing major. I'll keep you all posted anyways, thanks again
Kate

 

[altelphef]

So sorry to hear about Keira, I can understand how upset you must be. I think I wrote to you that I have had a fusion L5 to S1, and though it obviously put me out of action for some weeks, I am now getting back to normal.

My mobility is very much as was - I used to be a gymnast and have hyper-mobility so have a great deal of flexibility, and to be honest, when I do the exercises and pay attention to my posture I can feel that I am improving daily.

The consultant who fixed me is wonderful and I can't speak highly enough of him - let me know if you want a second opinion.

I hope you see some improvement soon

Sugar xxx