Wandering sciatica.

[divegirl]

Good Morning,
Hoping someone with previous experience or the lovely Sqad can help me here.
When I was 22 and after suffering a year or agonising back pain and sciatica, in my left leg, I had surgery on my spine to remove a prolapsed disc [L 4 or 5] the surgery was a huge success and I was more or less totally pain free for years.
At the time the surgeon did say that further work may be needed in years to come [8-10 if I remember rightly].
Well 20 years on and I really do suffer with bad lower back pain and sciatica when I walk, the sciatica is now on the left side though, which would say to me that there is maybe a disc prolapsed on the other side to before.
Every time I mention it to my doctor he just says lose some weight, fair enough but he said that before [20 years ago...yes the same GP!!!] and the surgery was almost an emergency procedure as the disc was on the point of rupturing.
So my question is, what do I do? Can I demand a MRI? I know x-rays won't show anything but the pain is starting to effect my ability to walk let alone exercise :0(

Lisa x

[rowanwitch]

Go back to your GP and ask for a second opinion... you can still try to lose weight while you are waiting... A private MRi isn't too expensive £250 -500 and might save you a lot of time due to NHS waits

[divegirl]

Thanks Rowan, I didn't realise I could get a private MRI so cheaply, well not cheap and I'm not in the position to pay for it right now, but it's worth thinking about.

Lisa x

[Kiki-frog]

Lisa, I sympathise. I have dreadful problems with sciatica and arthritis, but I had a lot of trouble getting my GP to take it seriously. In the end I got an overdraft and paid for an MRI scan privately. When the results came through a couple of days later, I showed them to my GP he wrote a letter referring me to the orthopaedic consultant there and then. So it is worth pressing for an MRI, or even being prepared to pay for it yourself if you can.

To be fair, I think it is very difficult for GPs to diagnose problems like pain when they mostly have to rely on the patient's power of description and just looking at mobility. Good luck, Lisa, let us know what happens.

[rowanwitch]

It may also be worth considering paying privately for the initial consult (often around £100) with the specialist If they say you need treatment you then get a fresh NHS referral and join their NHS list with or without the main tests done depending on your finances This can save you months of pain

[Sqad]

I agree with rowan....."ask" GP for an MRI or an Orthopaedic opinion.................not a good idea to "demand"......;-)

[coccinelle]

Have you tried going to an osteopath? Needs to be a good one someone who recommends him/her.

[divegirl]

lol...sorry, when I said 'demand' I sort of meant do I have the 'right to' one.

I have tried an osteopath in the past and didn't gain any benefit and right now I really don't have the money to spare.
I shall try my GP again and see what he has to say.

Lisa x

[gingejbee]

I have every sympathy with you Lisa as your history mirrors mine exactly. I have had two ops (about 20 years apart!) and narrowly escaped a third (a spinal fusion) a few years ago. However, my GP was a whole lot more sympathetic/ understanding than yours and i had no problem getting treatment.
I would advise against any sort of "manipulative" treatments, particularly without the info from an MRI.

[divegirl]

Thats partly my point, seeing as the surgeon at the time said it would need further 'work' I would have hoped that my GP would take that into account my previous history.... Oh well I can but try....again!

Lisa x

[divegirl]

I should also point out I have been seeing an Alexander Technique teacher and have seen a great improvement in the pain when I'm sitting but not when standing or walking....Unfortunately I have not been able to see her for the last two months due to having a hysterectomy and won't be for a while until I can get some cash back in the bank again, I'm going to give her a ring though to see what she says.

Lisa x

[rowanwitch]

An NHS physio might be helpful as well GP should be able to arrange this via community services

[Sqad]

Ah!........I have just remembered your recent past history which makes it so important that you do not have any manipulative treatment of ANY kind, before having an MRI.

[icemaiden]

I feel your pain Lisa, I too took it upon myself to pay for an MRI scan and a private consultation with an Orthopaedic Surgeon. Well worth the money. £150 for the MRI scan and £175.00 for the appointment with the Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Ended up having a two-level spinal fusion and a disc removed and replaced with a titanium Coil and to top it all, being told I have Degenerative Disc Disease! This was after an NHS Orthopaedic surgeon said that Pilates will cure my back pain!

Listen to your body, you will know when something is not right.

[divegirl]

Cheers Sqad.... yep 'tis me again, just trying to feel for 42 than 92 so trying to get everything in working order lol.
And ouch Icemaiden....thats some work and a half you've had done there! Did it work though?

Lisa x

[icemaiden]

Did it work?

Yes and no.

I am not pain free, surgeon never promised me that I would be, but the pain is less severe. I still get pain in my lower back when walking distances. But, I can walk alot further than before and my leg is a lot stronger now. I still suffer with Sciatica but it's bearable. And too much walking does make my lower back painful but a couple of hours lying down and I'm ok again.

I still work and will as long as I can. I know surgery was the right decision, I could not have carried on as I was before, so surgery was my only option and I am so very pleased that I seeked a second opinion.