so today I saw the consultant, 
what a let down!
The guy went through what happened first, then asked me some questions about the pain etc and got me to walk, tip toes, etc etc.
then em said he won't operate. Instead will give me a root nerve injection. !!!! I'm totally terrified of needles and the thought of this is driving me mad
my my fiancée who was with me didn't like him too much and neither did I. He didn't seem like he was on this planet!
he kept asking me questions I couldn't answer. The pain killers mask virtually all my pain. The only pain I get is in my back and if I try to come down a dose, I get horrendous pain in my leg down to my heel and back. His attitude was, your obviously not in that much pain today so we won't even think about an operation!
He was reading a letter from the pain clinic doctor who said I'm not a suitable candidate for an operation, yet the Orthopedic specialist I saw said I need an operation without a shadow of a doubt!
i have a friend who has had an l5s1 fusion, and he said don't have the nerve root injection. Someone who had one at the same time of him hasn't walked properly ever again.
So if I don't do the nerve root, can I take anti inflamatories instead? He said he wants to do it as a diagnosis.
Hi James
My neurosurgeon said that if he gave me the injection Id have temporary relief for a few weeks and would be back to square one, mine was L5/S1, I had surgery 12 days ago and am completely pain free at the moment.
If I was you I'd ask for a second opinion he sounds like a right pillock.
Good luck hope you get the answers you need
From my experience the doctors do all they can to avoid the risk of an operation and injections are the next step after physiotherapy/painkillers etc. I had a round of steroid injections - they only worked for a few days. I'm now going in for some radio frequency injections which have a higher percentage of success - not a permanent fixture - but happy to avoid an op at all costs. The injections are really not that bad - they can sedate you. I don't think taking anti-inflammatories on a long term basis is a good thing. I really hope you find relief soon
I just want a permanent fixture, I'm getting married next year, and I want my life back so I can start my new one!
the specialist told me I must have an operation as he found a bulge coming out towards my spinal cord aswell as root nerve impingment
So did you have the injections? Or did they go straight for the operation?
Did id you have to protest to get the operation?
My neurosurgeon said the injections wouldn't cure it and he would prefer to operate, so no I didn't have injections or physio went straight for surgery. Neurosurgeon said if I had the injections Id be sat in front of him again within 3 weeks, the choice was mine and I chose surgery, I like you wanted to get my life back, I've been off sick since January and been in pain since last June, I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, my staples came out today and I feel great. Good luck, keep your chin up and keep badgering them until you get the option you want x
Oh no i just typed a massive response to your James i don't think it saved!
I had nerve root blockers as well as 2 other injections one being SI joint injection and facet joint injection.the ones that gave me relief were nerve root dont discount them ok these surgeons in my experience try all this conservative treatment first. I ended up having a spinal fusion 11 weeks ago
I am doing well indeed.
That is precisely my thought! It's been two years nearly and I want a cure, not another test so he can play with me!
Im going to see my GP on Tuesday and raise my concerns and get her opinion. I will see if she can get me back to the Orthopedic specialist, maybe he can write a strong letter?
That's my point though, I've been told by a specialist I needed a disectomy. So why waste time trying an injection that won't fix me? I'm in a huge dose of morphine so I won't even know if the spinal injection works or not!
Hi James, in my experience they try to eliminate where the pain is coming from exactly. I've had 2 years of pain with 4 injections then micro discectomy then major surgery spinal fusion.
They want to calm the nerve that is being pressed on with the disc bulge in my opinion if the injection gives you some temporary relief then consider it.
Wish I was pain free I still get the pain I have mobility issues. I had complete compression of all 5he nerves to my lower half I tried to get back to normal but my bottom half shut down I have a colostomy and urstomy stomas had 6 major operation since not on my back that can't be touch . All this because they did not act in the 1st 48 hours. It all could have been avoid. I have established Cauda equine. With extreme nerve damage to my lower half. Every day is pain pain pain. I take a lot of strong pain tablet. My neurological surgeon at kings in London says the operation was to relieve the compression. Not to cure me. I am glad ur pain free.
Hi James,
I feel your panic and stress been there,I just initially did not know where to turn and then researched the"hell" out of the subject and surgeons and hospitals across the UK, the knowledge has empowered me.
I assume you have had an MRI?
My main concern from your summary, is that when you come off medications you get pains in the legs, this perhaps indicates nerve issues.
First port of call is to get refered to Neurosurgeon (not orthapedic), you have to push insist and do not take no for an answer.
I am awaiting surgery and have been through it all, the stress of trying to get answers and support almost supercedes the condition.
As indicated from another person a second opinion is a must and your legal right (state this to them because you can and I did and choose the 2nd opinion for my surgery).
Dont stress it makes things 100 times worse, think rationally, take control, it's your body and you will get sorted ( I have not had injections but most reserach indicates it is temporary- if its nerve related the longer it is left the more damage to the nerve is caused).
Oh my goodness really sounds like you've been and are going through the wringer, I hope you get some relief soon x
Hi James,
I have had these injections with our local head aneathesist who runs our pain clinic. I had them at C4-C5 and C5-C6 and they gave me some relief for about 8 weeks which was great. They did wear off for me and I am back where I started but as with you they see no reason to operate.
They decided to diagnose me with Fibromyalgia instead, which is just Pain everywhere.
Don't worry about the injections they really are a breeze as they cover the area with Lidocaine which completely numbs the area.
Good Luck
Regards
Graham
Hi James and all,
All you all say sounds very familiar, who was your surgeon may I ask James ??? I had an operation with a consultant called Tim Germon at Derriford in Plymouth, thinking that a Neurologist would know what he is doing. The operation he done was a disaster, and he has totally destroyed the nerve function to my right leg and foot ..... and all he could say afterwards is that he does not know what else he could do ...... he deliberately avoided any further scans, because I believe it would show what an absolute mess he made of my body, and all the Plymouth Trust has done ever since, is ignore the issue, and have lied through their teeth, to cover this appalling dosaster up ...... Many many reviews say the place is a disaster area ........ worst health care ever ....... I would advise anyone to stay well away from this hospital .....
Hi Gary,
The chap I saw was called Andrew Cook. I feel for anyone who has ever had to see him! Or in fact, him and the Dr Kare of the pain clinic. was told I didn't need treatment, nor injections, just do some leg crunches!
I think all of them are failing to realise I have a disc pressing on a nerve, I get nerve problems and the Orthopedic specialist said operation and fairly urgently, pain doctor said nah, don't need one at all!
i would go in tomorrow if I could get it done and finish this endless pain!
I'm still rather dubious about them. Heard far more bad than good and the time in which they last for seems to be shorter than the long period you have had them last for!
Worst thing is is I am about to move house and my business too! Not good when I'm in this position! Wanted to be rid of the pain before I moved.
I have indeed had an MRI. IT SHOWED L5/S1 disc prolapse with left root nerve inpingment and the specialist also found a small bulge coming out towards my spinal cord. I also have (apparently) a smaller than normal spinal canal which is why I am getting so much grief from it.
I I definatly have nerve issues. I get pins and needles down both legs when sitting down. The other weird one is I get both arms going pins and needles when I'm in bed sometimes! I had neck pain after the accident but with the high level of back pain is there a problem there which is being over looked? A question I need to ask someone!
i have an appointment with my GP on Thursday evening, I will let you know what she says about seeing a neruosurgeon but I feel she will 110% back me as she has done so far. I had to move doctors practices after the last GP refused to have a second scan done when I had some serious concerns over the first scan. When I finally got the second scan from a different doctor at the practice which showed this damage I moved doctors as their refusal could of caused serious problems to me in life had I not of pushed. How could I of ever trusted them to do the right/best thing for me ever again? Not that they did to begin with!
Stress is hard to avoid when I have a wedding to plan, house to move and business at the same time as this ridiculous set of doctors who are hell bend on causing permanent nerve damage in me at the age of 29!!!
I get relief from the pain killers. But I want permanent relief, not to be a drug addict for the rest of my life!
As I see it and have been told, the only way that pain is going to go is if someone physically removes the disc or piece of disc which is pressing on the nerve!
I agree with you James, taking drugs long term is not the answer,
I know some people are wary of being operated on but mine was the exact same problem as yours and I'm so pleased I had the surgery, it's been 2 weeks now since I had a disc removed and apart from a bit of bruising and swelling I've got no pain in my back or leg, the pins and needles have gone, the numbness has gone. I've been told the surgeon I had is one of the best in the country and I'm truly thankful for that.
If you want surgery push for it, at the end of the day you need your life back. Good luck on Thursday x