For Sqad With Love Xx

[pat2604]

Thanks for your kind thoughts on my other thread.

I have a back operation coming up Sqad. Lumber decompression surgery. I have to think hard about whether or not to go through with it because the surgeon says with all my other joint problems I will still be in pain. But the back is the worse pain. I'm sure it will be expensive, but fortunately we can afford it now my son is buying my half of his house. Only problem is the surgeon says the Spire hospital doesn't have such good intensive care facility as Norfolk and Norwich so I might have to have it in the NHS hospital, but privately!!! The hospitals are very near other. Not sure why he thinks I might need intensive care? Your thoughts please. Xx



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[Sqad]

pat.......

First of all, if the back pain is making your life difficult and unpleasant compared to the pain from your other joints, then I would certainly go for the operation.

The results of this operation are at best good and at worst, satisfactory for the patient.

Go for a Neurosurgeon rather than an Orthopaedic surgeon.....in my opinion.

Spire Hospitals have a good reputation and of course the NHS has private beds. I wouldn't have thought that Intensive Care would be an issue with your type of operation but even the simplest of operation might need intensive care for many reasons.

The choice of hospital is yours my love but I don't consider it a big deal.

[rowanwitch]

The intensive care thing may have more to do with the numbers of staff available as a normal ward might not have the numbers to move a patient in bed after spinal surgery although they may use a lateral tilting bed to offset this. Unless you have other underlying problems that may increase your risk of complications in which case the anaesthetist may be adopting a just in case position.

[divegirl]

Hey Lottie, I had a lumber decompression/reconstruction a few years ago and though younger than you it was the best thing I ever did. I knew as soon as I woke from the anesthetic that things had changed massively for the better.
Mine was done by a neurosurgeon [on the NHS] and it changed my life :)

Sadly I will most likely have to go under again at some point but I just wanted to wish you luck and love for whatever you decide

Lisa x

[pat2604]

Thanks all three of you. I saw the spinal surgeon privately as he was recommended by Spire as the best person for that particular op. He wanted me to see a neurologist before having the op. Because I have a shake. I spoke to my GP who is excellent and he says my shake is purely a nervous shake. It's not there when I'm calm and it's certainly not Parkinsons GP knows me well. I am thinking of talking this through with the surgeon again privately before I make my decision. I was so impressed with Spire this week. I'm such an anxious person and the experience this week was totally without worry. I won't be having any more joint operations. They have offered hip, knee and feet ops and I already have a replacement shoulder. I can't face any more replacements , but the back pain is unbearable at times and I can't tolerate strong painkillers. I'm officially diagnosed with EDS/Hypermobiliy Spectrum Disorder which has been the main reason for joint problems. I can live with that but not the spinal problems.

[pat2604]

In other words I'm a total wreck!!! ;0)

[pat2604]

Just to say the Op this week was a hernia repair to put right a bodged hernia repair. Hernias are common with EDS and soft tissue problems.

[zebo]

I may have misunderstood this but I'm sure that Spire have been doing some of the NHS work from NNUH, I've ceertainly had appointments across the road at Spire for minor NHS treatment. Good luck with whatever you decide, back pain is awful.

[divegirl]

If I remember correctly mine was done by a neurosurgeon as they are more adept at removing scar tissue etc. All I know is whatever they did it worked.

[pat2604]

/ i may have misunderstood this but I'm sure that Spire have been doing some of the NHS work from NNUH, I've ceertainly had appointments across the road at Spire for minor NHS treatment. Good luck with whatever you decide, back pain is awful./

You are right Zebo they have been doing a lot of work for the NHS but you don't get the luxury treatment thrown in. My main reason for going privately is that at 75 I don't want to wait long for an op. My back has totally taken away my quality of life. I can put up with everything else!! And I need a bit of luxury and pampering in a private room ;0)

[pat2604]

Lisa, thanks for your input. Great to have information from someone who has had the op and it's been a success. How long were you in hospital and how long were you off your feet. There are obviously more risks with age.

And Sqad has given me more confidence to go ahead, bless him.

Lottie x

[Barsel]

Lottie, I can't offer any input, but I just wanted to say I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope everything will go well for you.
Hopefully this op will give you a better quality of life and you'll soon be whizzing around again.
Barsel xx

[pat2604]

Thank you Barsel. Here I am two days after one op. planning the next one!!! Xx

[pat2604]

Whizzing days are gone forever! But a slow stroll would be nice!! :o)

[Barsel]

I know exactly how you feel Lottie. x

[divegirl]

Hope you see this late reply.

I was in for 7 days if memory serves me right. I did have various drains attached tho as there was an infection deep in my spine but that's a whole different story lol
I was swimming 6 weeks post op :)

It is of course all down to the individual and there is no way I would bounce back so quickly now [aged 52 and a bit].

I did sort of have age on my side but at the time of my surgery I weighed in at 20 and a half stone. The surgery was so worth the risk my pain was reduced by 100% and as a thank you to my surgeon I lost 10 stone in weight :)

[murraymints]

wishing you all the very best for a satisfactory outcome Lottie xx

[pat2604]

I've seen your latest post Lisa. I am 75!! If I do have the opportunity in have decided to go privately! I can't take the money with me when I pop my clogs!!

[pat2604]

And Minty, thank you. Xx