New member - old pain

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I have just found this group and read a few messages and it seems

like I'm in the right place!

I'll try to keep this as brief as possible, but I'm sure you all

know that being in this group probably involves quite a lot of

history.

After lots of hassle with my gp saying I just pulled a muscle and

seven attempts to get referred (and even then only because I'm

covered privately) I got to go and see a consultant and had an MRI

as I was in complete agony with my back and had already had about

five weeks off work.

So, I have two 'substantially herniated' discs according to my

consultant after he looked at the results of the MRI.

He started me on a year long course of steroid injections right into

my discs (I'm sure some of you know how lovely that can be), four at

a time, three months apart.

After three lots of this, I wasn't getting any better and was

dreading the injections more and more.

I have since moved jobs and don't have private cover, so can't have

the injections. But on my last visit my consultant said that they

weren't helping anyway and I should think about having the discs

removed. As I can't go privately and don't get paid for being off

work, I have a bit of time to think about this now, as I can't

afford to lie in bed for up to six weeks recovering, even if I could

get the operation approved on the NHS.

So, my gp and I are trying to get the right balance of medication so

that I can have less pain but not be so doped up that I can't do

anything. (I just spent four days in bed, being awake for only four

hours a day, which is the worst thing I can do.)

I was going along fairly well, it wasn't great, but it was just

about liveable, then some idiot was too asleep one morning on his

way to work and drove into the back of my stationary car while I was

sat in traffic! So, off to hospital for me. They x-ray'd my back

(yeah, that'll tell you a lot about disc problems!) and gave me some

drug to knock me out for the day.

I then had to go to my gp to get stronger pain relief cos the

accident had made things worse for longer than just that one day.

So, now I'm on 50mg/hr Fentanyl, 200mg of 24hr slow release

Tramadol, 2 50mg paracetamol four times per day, plus senna and

Omeprazole to combat the side effects!

The Fentanyl is really knocking me out and I'm just about to try to

go down to 25mg/hr. (I tried cold turkey, but that was horrendous

so I slapped another patch on!)

Anyway, that about sums up where I'm at at the moment.

I've heard conflicting stories about having the discs removed. My

consultant was the one who was most for it (hmm, wonder why!) but my

gp and other people have said it's not guaranteed to be 100%

successful and can sometimes make things just as bad afterwards.

I've had one session with an osteopath who was very careful and when

he did a bit of traction he did seem to release a bit of stiffness

and it seemed to help a bit. So I'm going back for another session

in the morning.

Someone has said that pilates is very good for problems like mine.

But then I've also heard that it's not very good!

So, I'd be interested to hear from you guys as to what is good, bad,

etc in terms of getting some kind of relief, however small from this

pain.

Someone did tell me today though that certain nutrients like

glucosates (I think) are very good for nerves (actual nerves, not

when you're feeling nervous). Has anyone else heard about this?

Anyone had any positive results.

I'm open to trying most kinds of treatments, etc. I've tried

accupuncture, chiropractor, gym, swimming so far.

Anyway, that's all from me for now.

Thanks,

Gareth.