Spinal Problem Now Affecting Life Far Too Much. What To Do?

[jourdain2]

'Evening. I've always been very fit (3rd in UK in Women's Vets. High Jump when I was 48) and kept myself in trim.
2003 I fell off a wobbly stepladder, broke wrist (now severely arthritic) and landed with spine on the corner of a Victorian wooden wall decoration. Huge pain, severe bruising, went to Halifax A&E who provided strapping for wrist and checked kidneys were OK., ignored spine.
2005, France, back pain - given steroid injections and I was informed that my spine was 'tres faible'. Since then it's been a procession of specialists, osteopaths etc.. Twice offered surgery, beginning to think that I was daft to go down the route of physio/osteo. It worked in France, but here the physio is useless and I can't afford to keep paying for osteo. as often as needed (every week/fortnight). (Every week in France, kept me going and covered by insurance.) Mobility being severely curtailed now - this last few days have proved it to me. I had to stagger to the altar rail and stand for Communion on Sunday and it was hard to stand with the choir and sing one anthem.

Making an appointment tomorrow with GP; now finally made up my mind that I can't go on like this and need surgical intervention. What do I say? I don't want to be pushy, but I've reached the end of the current line, I think. Advice, please as to where to go from here? It's so long ago that I can't remember the name of the op. I was offered.

[tonyav]

If I were you I'd tell the GP what you have stated on this thread regarding the pain that your back is giving you.
It's not about being pushy, Jourdain. I'ts about getting your back fixed.

Best of luck at the Doc's tomorrow.

[Buenchico]

Have you been referred to a specialist pain clinic? I've known several people who were initially very sceptical about a partly psychological approach to the problem but who all ended up agreeing that it really does work:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pain/Pages/Longtermpain.aspx

This might relate to the type of surgery you've been offered:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lumbardecompressivesurgery/Pages/Surgery.aspx

[mazie]

Good luck tomorrow jourdain. Hope you have a helpful doctor who manages to sort it out quickly for you x

[marval]

Sorry to hear of your troubles Jordain, I hope you can get something done about it.

[jourdain2]

Thanks all. Gives me courage. No psychology involved buen. - I have major arthritis in lower spine and before now have fought my way through 2 slipped discs trapping sciatic nerve in 3 places - not something I would wish on anyone. Just seems that it will be so sudden for my GP - I've been coping. I do have my French X-rays, which may help. :) Just ringing tomorrow - could be a few days before an appointment.

[Old_Geezer]

Can only echo others.
Need to take a deep breath and just speak up for yourself. Be as pushy as it needs.

[waterboatman]

ouch!

As has been said Jourdain, tell your GP what you have said on here, take all the evidence you have. You've been through the mill, time to get it sorted out.

[Sqad]

It certainly sounds like you have major problems in your lower spine and conservative treatment has failed.
Surgical options are available and curative of the pain depending upon the picture indicated by the MRI scan.These may include discectomy, laminectomy and as a last resort, spinal fusion.
The time is now ripe..carpe diem.

[jourdain2]

Thank you all so very much for your kindness and support and to you sqad for the information as well. Sorry I made you all read through such a long OP, but I've been in such pain since Wed. (relieved temporarily by massage) and began despairing. I've got an appt. Friday with a regular locum and I think I'll write down a history and take some old X-rays. So glad you are all out there :o) xx