alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Trust me Ellie, i've been there, done that and the ONLY thing that works is Morphine and even that dioesn't work as well as my previous choice, one that worked wonders on only a couple of pills daily.

What was that? Oh, only the one that Lying Labour saw off, co-proxamol.

It was faster acting than morphine, I could feel relief after as little as 20 minutes, it lasted as long, didn't constipate me, and although I slept wqell, I could get up easily and be raring to go within twenty minutes....unlike now, when I have to force myself to get up or I WILL sleep until midday.

But despite assurances form government, the NHS etc, would my doctor prescribe specially for me, as some do? Not a chance.......

So now I'm stuck with something that doesn't work as well, (for me), has myriad side effects and is more addictive. And I'll likley be on it for life, since this nerve isn't going to regenerate anytime soon

Great going, Lying Labour...how much did you kick back from the makers of paracetamol?

Turbohot

Well done on this thead, Ellie. I've always found pharmacists to be more helpful than my GPs when it came to explaining medication, and advising me to get some combinations/dosage right by sending me back to my GPs. You seem to be thorough at what you did.

Ellie*

ScoobySteve-noooo, I know about medication, mental health, and general first aid/minor illness but nothing anywhere near what a GP knows.

Alcazar- oh, co-proxamol. Hmmm ridiculous isn't it. It was a safety concern, rather than just costs, but that doesn't make it any better. To be honest I've never looked into the guidelines for prescribing it or why some people can still have it. I've only seen one patient on it in the last 3 years or so.
There isn't an equivalent, as I'm sure you realise.
I hope you manage to get your pain sorted soon.

Turbohot- thank you. Pharmacists spend 5years studying so they're the best people to ask about medication. They're part of the ward rounds in hospital so they can advise the doctors on what to prescribe.
I was only a technician but we have to do 2years of pharmaceutical science, and you also just pick up why, how and what for that things are prescribed. I take everything in and don't forget, too much for my own good sometimes.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Ok, small update.

Tuesday past was my fourth physio session and things had been going well. Infact, it was all going so well, I walked into the physio area and along to my "booth" without use of my crutches. Therapist done her usual, pressing on my spine and a wee bit of testing. Found a couple spots that were sore, but worked at them a bit and every time she worked away, it got less sore till it was away...cool! Onto my back and helped to sway my legs together, to each side in a twisting motion and found it was a lot sorer one way than the other, so decided to stick to one way.

So, all good and happy it was getting better, but I asked if I could expect pain the following day due to working out. Yes was the answer. So, the next day with a little bit of walking, cramp pains were developing in my thigh and calf, but mainly the calf. The pain got stronger and stronger with walking more, till I couldn't anymore and this was just round about the house! Well, I asked if I'd get pain the next day, so I suppose I should expect it...problem was its continued!

Yesterday I mentioned this to the physio and she appeared not terribly happy, so she stuck me on a infra red type machine for half an hour. I wasn't expecting it to help much at all, but it really didn't help at all!

I've put my magnetic heat belt on to see if it helps relieve the pains at all, as it obviously stems from my back and I'd say I'm moving a bit longer before it kicks in, but today I've also taken a Diazepam which I've realised is prescribed for cramps, but this isn't REALLY cramp, it's just that type of pain.

So, anyone got any ideas or help? Physio says if I'm no better within the next 2 weeks(4 physio sessions), then I'm going back to orthapedics, which I REALLY don't want. Could it be my muscle hasn't built up enough and I need to try my best to work it out a specific way, or take more Diazepam?

pslewis

As one of the older posters on here - I feel well placed to comment here.

13 years ago I was working under my car and my back 'snapped' twice ... Ambulance was called, I couldn't move - not at all. Now, I'm a big powerful bloke and it shocked me to be floored like this .... I was scooped off the driveway.

My back has been a weak point ever since, even today I get numbness in one of my legs after walking a small distance. I have learned to recognise the telltale signs of trouble and I pull back from pushing myself as I did.

I stopped the weight training and gym work ..... this made my health 100x better!!

I stopped smoking around the same time - of course, that improved my long term prospects.

2 years ago I had pain in my hands - I was put on Diclofenec, which helped a little - then put on Naproxene ...... 5 days later I was in hospital, the Doctor came out to see me as I had really bad stomach pains - she rushed me into the Emergency Operating Ward where I was put onto Omeprozole. Transpires I now cannot take any NSAIDS!

So, that's a vital weapon in the armourey of pain management removed from me! Not good, as the Ibruprofen type tablets did ease my pain .... not sure what happened, but a switch flicked and I am now to avoid them!

My weight has increased and just before Xmas my knee became so painful that I couldn't walk at all. My wrists have become painful, my ankles have swollen. The only tablet that has worked with me is ARCOXIA - just one a day, but - bloody hell, Brilliant!!

Problem is, ARCOXIA hasn't been approved in the USA - as it has been linked to strokes and heart attacks ...... so, I have only had 28 days worth - but, have to say, they did the job.

I am on long term Amitriptyline, just 1 tablet a day ... helps with sleep and pain (the pain relief only kicks in after many weeks of taking it). But, it's safe and easy to take.

I have - since New Year - lost 22lbs ..... this has eased the pressure on my knees and ankles. And I aim to lose another 22lbs in the next 2 months to help even further.

Age is against me, I know that - but I feel like I have so much more to do ..... I'm booked into the Hospital in a months time (they don't hurry when you get to my age!).

2 days ago I stopped all my tablets and fasted - only having two bowls of soup in those 2 days - you know what? I feel great!!

Is it something I eat which I'm allergic to? I don't intend to take any more tablets until, and if, the pain gets too bad (I am still in pain, but I'm not sure it's worse than when taking the tablets?)

Make the most of your days while you have health folks ... money doesn't matter one jot if you have lost your health!

jef

iTrader: (13)

it helps if people use actual doses of mg in the medication, "taking 1 or 10 tablets" means nothing if you dont know how the tablets are dosed. Amatrypteline comes in varying strengths.
imo any opiate based pain killer needs to be administered to patients after a full explanation of side effects (as with any medication -in my life time i have never had a doc fully explain any medication to me) is explained and how it can become extremly addictive.
Even if your the type of person that "doesnt belive in pills" or instantly wants to lower the dose in an interpritation of becoming healthier -its simply not the case - use medication as a trained proffessional advises you to. with some medication, coming off sooner than advised is not recommended.

Ellie*

Arcoxia isn't really used anymore.

NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. Some doctors will give you omeprazole/lansoprazole with an NSAID to protect the lining of your stomach before it gets irritated.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Well it's been over a month since the last time i posted on this and i feel i should probably give a little update.

Thing's are continuing to go well, but now and again i get a "signal" everything is still not right. Been unwell a couple times too since March and when that happens, the world seams to come to an end. I suffered from depression a long time ago and i know what it's like and what it can do to a person. Currently getting over a fever and a very tickly cough, but watching anything sad or very happy gets me going! Anyway's, i know that's acceptable....well it's not when like that when i'm otherwise ok....

I've cut my Gebapentin down to 300mg 3 times a day, still on the Naproxin and i'll take an Amatriptelyn(sp?) at night to help get to sleep, as i'm a terrible sleeper as it is.

Was ment to go the the physio today, but the fever stopped me. Today was going to be the start of building my core fitness, which is ment to combat against the weakness now in my disc.

Last time is seen the physio i asked her how bad i was in relation to everyone she see's or has seen before. I asked to give myself some confidence really...it never really went the way i expected. She told me i have been the worst she's ever seen. I knew when i first met her something was wrong tbh, but i actually thought she was being a bitch lol. Turns out, she was sure she couldn't do anything with me and i should still be at the orthopaedics. She seen my shock and quickly turned it round saying how i've done better than she could have hoped! She explained she's had people almost as bad as myself, go away after 6 sessions having made NO progress at all! It DID make me feel a bit better, but it has scared me severely and all this time i've been seriously considering my job(panel beater). As of right now, that's 3 months off sick and if my dad wasn't still working, i wouldn't have a wage and that scares me ****less. On the side i've been buying and selling a particular brand of golf equipment and it appears that it could work if i built up my name enough and it's not hard graft compared to the motor trade. It is far from ideal, but we are at a stage with the workplace, that we really have to spend a lot of money on our unit to get work in, but we also know there's a lot of money in the yard. We think it's possible to section it up. A part for my own idea and a part for selling or renting. If we sold, this would free up money for my mum and dad to finally build a house on land they've owned for a long time and money for myself and my brother.

Anyway's, i'm really excited at the prospect of MY OWN business, but it scares me in a different way than taking over my dad's work. It's only when i think that NO job is guaranteed do i realise that both are at as much risk as either, in a certain way... I still have to find out a lot of legalities of course and see what help is available.

I'll stop rabbeting on and finish with....things appear to be getting better.

mart360

Suppose i'd better drop my lot in this is my neck after my little tumble in Oz

Look at the lower left of No4



I also have a prolapsed disc between 4 & 5, They wont operate as the Op is quite major (so they say) I currently have hypersensivity on my middle fingers with each hand.

Im on no meds now but have them if needed

I was on

Paracetamol 500mg x2 4 times a day

Pregablin 75mg once a day

Tramadol as needed

In terms of recovery from when i had the accident & had hypersensivity accross all of my hands its far better.

However i still have pain in the hands from lifting, holding, touching etc.

Washing my hands hurts lol due to the way the hypersensitity is.

I go back for another check up in 4 weeks, i wonder what they will do then

Mart

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for that Mart. It helps to know we're not alone...

You can get very ignorant to how something so simple, can change so much.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Can't believe it's been that long, but figured while I'm waiting to be picked up, I might as well do a wee update.

I decided a while back, the pain wasn't getting good enough, quickly enough and OK'd the go ahead for L1/S5 Discectomy. Wasn't full removal, but merely the bits that were still causing bother.

So far it's been good, but I'm in more pain and pressure than I expected, so that isn't making me terribly happy....at least it's done though.

Amazing how much your back means to you...

cster

I play a fair bit of golf and I am not of the opinion that it is particularly good for ones health beyond shall we say - "a certain age".
I would take the opposite view, which is that it is better to go to the gym to get fit, strengthen core muscles, etc. in order to be able to play golf without picking up injury. I used to play cricket and have the same view for that as well.
Generally I find anything beyond an 80% swing is counter productive on the card and on career longevity. Trouble is, once I've started hitting the ball cleanly, I just can't help myself

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Mine cleared the pain, but, as I said, it came back.

The root nerve block cleared it long-term, it's flaring ups a little, occasionally now, but nothing like it was.

The root nerve block was HORRID, but the relief was instant. They reckon swelling at the site of the operation may have been my problem.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Good point. I intend going to joining the gym and building my core muscles.

I don't fancy the idea of never playing again.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

I wouldn't mind if it stuck to occasional flare ups, just so long as it doesn't slip again!



Was told by the anaesthetist they had a major problem with getting the breathing tube in.....my throat tells me, as does the chipped tooth, sore throat, sore tongue and sore bits of my lips, that must have been pressed against my teeth. I've been warned to tell them in the future, should I need to go under general anaesthetic again.

Slept well last night, but was pretty damned sore this morning...expected still, but never good. I reckon my leg is gonna be good soon though and that's the main thing.

Fat Boy

Glad it went well - i'm sure it will settle down further as the swelling goes down. Just sleeping well will have a major effect on your quality of life and recovery.

Good luck

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Thanks very much.

Another thing...I noticed, the first time I got up from the hospital bed for a walk with the physic, I had a pain/pressure in the centre of my chest, just at the base of my rib cage. I never thought much of it, but when talking to my mum about it all, she suggested that they may have tried CPR on me, while they were struggling with getting the tube down my throat...if this was the case, surely someone would have told me?

I never spoke to a surgeon afterwards, which I find quite strange too...

Maz

iTrader: (34)

Hoping you have a speedy recovery but bear in mind it's a long term recuperation. I had full diskectomy at L4/L5 a couple of months ago. This is following years of discomfort and pain. The op itself was a 'success' but left me with a lot of numbness in the left lower leg and foot. This may improve over time.
I was bed bound for four days in hospital, three of which I was completely horizontal and not allowed to move. Unfortunately the combination of immobility, general anaesthetic and dehydration caused me to develop DVT in my right leg. This went undiagnosed for two weeks until I had a routine visit to the GP. I casually mentioned some swelling and leg pain in my right (good) leg. Having examined my leg I was immediately set to A and E for a scan. DVT was confirmed and I'm now undergoing treatment.
Demand to speak to the surgeon, you want as much information as possible. Also request a follow up appointment (these are often overlooked) within four weeks.

BLU

iTrader: (27)

Feel for you.
I had sciatica (not even close to what you've dealt with but bloody agony nevertheless) at the end of 2011, I was prescribed Amatripteline, (sp) Naproxen, Tramadol and Paracetemol but tbh it only ever took the edge off it, never got rid of it. A few months (8) of light work and regular physio saw me a little bit better. I can now deal with the pain with minimal use of painkillers but its a right royal pain in the ars......leg Keeping myself moving definitely helps. I can't see me ever being 100% but if it stays like this I'll manage.

Hoping you manage to get some relief in the near future.

Fat Boy

Full CPR is very unlikely - it often breaks ribs when done and there is no need to do it when intubating unless your heart stops. They would 100% tell you if that happened.

Did it pass fairly quickly after you moved around? If so it may even be something as simple as indigestion type gas from lying down for a long time.

If you're still worried however then ask someone back on the ward. If they are concerned then they'll have you back in very quickly.

Einstein RA - I'm sure it will improve,but it may not be quick. I had quite a lot of numbness around the site of the operation after a knee reconstruction - it took quite a long time ( like a couple of years) for that to mainly wear off. It's 90% gone now to the extent that i don't notice it unless i kneel on it or someone brings this subject off

drb5

iTrader: (4)

I doubt it was full CPR too...it was just a thought and figured if they had trouble....

Anyway, a few weeks on and I'm still getting pains. Not the exact same as before, but still enough pain to say I wouldn't have bothered with surgery, had I known it would be like this, but I suppose there's still time.

Post-Op in a week or so and will complain/tell all then. No physic yet, so that's one more thing to get onto them about.

domino46

Had similar problems for over 10 years now and still on mental amounts of pain killers to try and help but none of them really do ,,, iv given up trying to ask doctors for help as they all go over the same stuff ,,, acupuncture is the only thing that has given me some pain relief and that was only short term

domino46

I also get pains in my chest,,, they are related to my back problems ,,, have you tired " cracking" your chest ,, like you would do with your nuckles or neck as it helps me loads ,,, iv found the best way is to roll up a towel lay it so it would fit under the base of your back when you are led down ,,, sit up then just lay down relaxed onto it and it cracks my chest every time and the pain goes away shortly after

daveyj

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a good Osteopath is needed by some of you. I'd look at seeking one outside the NHS tbh. I had a bad shoulder injury that caused to muscle to go like piano wire and it pinched a load of nerves. 6 years of MRI scans, prescriptions and the like were cured by three visits to one very good Osteopath. Haven't had trouble since and can now do Judo again.

JR WRX

I hope you get through this - my best wishes. I've had prolapsed disc's and cortizone injections etc. It's like a constant tooth ache interupted by flashes of agony.
Anyway - golf - I don't think this is a good idea - only my thoughts - just think of the twist and tension in your spine as you swing - I packed it in - but make sure your good before you go back.
The BEST thing for me was........swimming! No drug combinations, etc. Apparently supporting your weight in water is a very nice and gentle way of realigning and strengthening bits and bobs.
Hope all goes well, ask someone whats the best exercises you can do - I remember walking around for hours and hours (it hurt) but was far easier than the pain of doing nowt.
All the best.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Well it's been over a year now since the surgery and I'm still having pain in my leg and back, but last weekend, something changed...possibly for the worse.

We had went to a large park with the wee one and although I wasn't doing ANYTHING excessive, I got quite a pain in my lower right back. On leaning forward or back at all, there was a feeling of compaction and a striking/shooting pain, that gave the impression of wanting to crack.

I persevered and the next day, I only had 2 twinges. In the evening however, I was starting to get sore in the same problem area as the day before and began rubbing it. I knew in my mind it wouldn't do anything, as it was too deep a pain, but I felt something strange...a lump or bulge. My heart sank and I stood up to check the opposite side...nowhere near as bad. Gutted, but at the same time, not sure what to think. My wife checked it and found the same.

Off to the doc's the next day and he suggested calling the hospital I'd had the surgery, once telling me to take it as easy as possible.

Managed to get in contact with the surgeons secretary and I'm getting an appointment out asap, but any ideas what this bulge could be? It can't be the disc, as it's protruding just under the skin, although the doc says it's both sides(which I can sort of understand, after rubbing my hands over both areas and feeling them getting more painful), but the pain DOES transfer to deeper inside.

Just a bit lost atm tbh...

Thanks to the guys above and apologies for not commenting before now.

Littleted

good book if you have time,

Carnut

If you think its something bad then just say so, it doesn't help beating around the bush on these things and as soon as you get to the right questions you can get the right answers.

john banks

I hope it is muscle spasm.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Thanks guys.

I'm hoping your right John. Would an MRI confirm something like that, as I'm kind of hoping I get another one. Over a year and a half since I got the one and only MRI.