Utter waste of time speaking to spinal consultant

[dayquil_1]

Hi all,

This is my first post.
I have a 2 level disc degeneration. I had a caudal epidural which did nothing except make my pain even more severe. When I went for my first ever appointment with this consultant he explained that I had two options. The first being the epidural an the second being spinal fusion.

I went back to see my consultant today as my pain is so severe that it is making my life hell! He now says that I have to go back to physio even though it did nothing and I would haveto get myself to the hospital for this using my own car or public transport and anyone with severe back pain using any of these is absolute torture.
He now says that the surgery has a 65% success with my level of degeneration so he wants to see me back in two months after the physio (bearing in mind it took me 4 months to see the physio the first time) and then he would look again at the situation.

Im currently on Job seekers as I can not hold down a full time job due to the pain I am in, so the job centre told me to get signed off work as it would give me more options. Guess what the hospital signed me off 2 weeks and said to me if I was still in pain to see my GP and get signed off again.

Im just wondering if anyone has any similar problems and any ideas what to do? Should I ask for a second opinion? Im currently on the English NHS

 

[discord71]

Hi Snowball - Back pain really is a terribly debilitating problem. Not sure that I have any answers for you - just thought I'd tell you about my experiences of back pain and my husbands - we've both dealt with it in different ways.
My back pain started when I was pregnant and continued on for a good few years. Apart from the excruciating pain - at it's worst I had burning sensation on the sole of my foot and had loss of sensation in my leg - because I was pregnant treatment options were limited. I did get advice from a physiotherapist after a few weeks ( this is around 20 years ago) but also went to a local private consultant - due to pregnancy basically I had to keep it till it got better. For many years after this I had to be very careful of my posture especially in the morning or if I'm very tired. But apart from two or three relapses I've been lucky.
My husband has had back problems regularly but intermittently over the last 15 years. He has tried osteopaths, chiropracters, physiotherapists, healers, NHS doctor (this was effective on one occasion as he was having particularly painful muscular spasms and was given an anti-spasmodic medication).He's had traction, manipulations and some have helped more than others.On one occasion he had to almost crawl into the car in the rush hour to attend a practitioner he'd been recommended. We were really worried it would make things worse. However when he returned home almost an hour and a half later it was as if he'd been hypnotised he was so chilled out - the therapy seemed to be a mixture of Bowen technique and Healing - but it did work. Unfortunately the therapist moved to Spain! Now if he has back problems he goes to an osteopath who he finds helps him. But we've been lucky - even after extremely painful bouts we've recovered and luckily never had to consider surgery.
I hope you find someone to help you and that your back heals soon and you're able to get back to normal.

 

[Frenchi]

My brother is in this exact situation. He has been offered spinal fusion and has been told there is a 50/50 chance he'll be paralysed or bleed out on the operating table. Nice huh? He's on the highest pain killers he can take and still is in agony. He cannot work and gets really depressed.

I am trying to get him to another consultant coz the one he has is an arrogant git and I don't trust him. Basically, it's all down to money. If we had 10k, he could get the op privately.

 

[rjmmohfg]

Yes. Ask for a second opinion. This is your right and you are entitled to it. Your GP can help with this.

When I was referred to a consultant, as part of the "Choose and Book" process, I went on a website which gave lots of details of what hospitals in my local area specialised in the condition being referred for, what their success rate was, what consultants specialised in what conditions. This helped me choose - actually I chose my local one but it came out the best.

 

[ErrortNet]

Hi Chris what was the website? I've been after this info for a while. Please post it here as well http://www.massageplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=68096

Thanks steve

 

[Megan Lynn]

There may be pain relief and more by heating along the spinal column projection on a finger with a lit moxa cigar or some incense stick, on both ring fingers.
One may concentrate on the affected vertebrae on the image for precise action.
The tool is hold perpendicular at a distance to not burn, until pleasant warmth at the spot.

 

[Just call me Hor.]

I wish I could tell you but I've thrown away the letter I got inviting me to book my appointment! I get the impression they only want people going on there who need to use Choose and Book, rather than the general public who want a nose round.
Sorry.

 

[arrete]

try,
www.healthspace.nhs.uk

may work

Buster