extraforminal disc protrusion at L4/5

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I've recently had an MR scan, which revealed an extraforminal disc protrusion at L4/5, causing L4 root compression. Previous surgery on a leg injury had caused me problems under anaesthetic, which has made me adamant, that a similar intervention on my spine, is not happening. That said, the consultant has advised that such an intervention may never reverse my pain, because the injury being of a longstanding nature.

I've lived with this 'nightmare' for almost 25 years. I'm now 45.

When i first injured my back in 1990, the doctors i saw seemed clueless to the problem and were happy just to hand out sicknotes like toffee, and at one surgery, i was told that back issues were a common problem and the easiest way to claim sickness benefit, as the DHSS at the time, had no way of questioning the legitimacy of the complaint.

I didn't take him up on this offer, and instead, swallowed handfuls of painkillers and carried on with my job, but with a constant scowl etched on my face, because of the never ending pain.

Admittedly, It's easy to shift blame, but this injury has dominated and shaped my whole life to the extent of where i am now. No family. No long term friends. Nobody really understanding why i was, and still am, so angry, to the point of violence on a minute by minute basis. 

This pain never, ever goes away. I stand up when i eat. I never sleep for more than 2 hours, without having to drag myself round the house, in agony, until i can stand up and try and find a 'comfy spot' to lean. It's at this moment i make my most pathetic wishes.

I would go back to the doctor, who would prescribe me diazepam, cocodomol, diclafenac and more recently, naproxen then gabapentin. All of which, i'm certain, have took their toll on my internals, and if i'm honest, haven't ever really worked.

In my 20's, my will to battle the pain was very strong. Now, at 45, no money for the last 8 weeks and under a 'mandatory consideration' from a system i've paid thousands into. 

It's starting to win now, and my thoughts are negative.

'He is otherwise in good health' suggests i have another 30 years left. 

I. Can't. Wait. 

 

2

Garry, the first thought that comes to mind is whether there might be a different anaesthetic available  which would not cause the previous problem you experienced for your leg op.  My second thought is that you could ask for referral to another orthopeadic consultant for a second opinion.  I saw loads of different consultants at different times with my back injury years ago when spinal fusion was offered as the only solution for my pain.  However, the final consultant I saw, said the surgery would be major with not only the spinal fusion but also disc removal needed, and he advised me instead to get in the swimming pool and swim on my back (not an option - I can't swim!).  He also arranged for a surgical corset to be made to measure which I used on and off for some years until I grew(!) out of it.  I also saw a good physio to learn the right exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles and other muscles to protect the slipped spine. Medication hasn't been an option for me due to another health issue so I have coped well by not only resorting to a support girdle when necessary, but sleeping on the right beds, sitting in the right chairs (a special one was supplied when I was at work) and a daily walk to ensure I keep myself moving - most important.  It also helps to lift the spirit.

3

Garry my heart goes out too you, please reconsider your choice not to have surgery, I have had numerous back ops & the final fusion failed, I'm in constant pain, i have no standard of life, i'm merely existing, not participating, I'm angry but never violent, I have a very short fuse, this pain consumes me, 3 months ago it got to the point that if a final option offered me no relief that I would save up my morphine & find my own, my intention was serious, not a cry for help, it was me taking control, luckily I didn't need to go down that route as i had the trial of a spinal cord stimulator, it was amazing, i had 90% pain relief, I had my life back, my personality came back to fun loving, I could laugh again, I didn't get a good nights sleep, i sleep in 3x40 min blocks through the night, its killing me, i happen to love my sleep, after the trial was deemed a success they had to remove it but whilst I'm back to sq one i'm having my perm implant done in a week, please please reconsider surgery, anaesthetic has changed, there are different types, please speak to somebody, something will work & like yourself pregablin etc  did nothing for me, the morphine doesn't fully take it away either, its relentless but without surgery you have very few avenues for any hope of relief, please remember if anything happens whilst your under your in the best place & if they are are aware of the problem then hopefully now they can prevent it. Best of luck, I really hope you reconsider or at least speak to somebody & see what other options you have x

4

Thank you for the reply, MrsO..

I have no reason to believe that any surgeon i would see today, is any more trustworthy than the previous clowns i've encountered in the past, who talk about 'possible risk of infection' and 'there's always a risk with any surgical procedure that requires anaesthetic'..

The last 'expert in his field' who i had a discussion with about performing an arthroscopy on my knee, said quite clearly, it was a 20 minute procedure to establish the extent of the damage.. however, after discovering it needed immediate attention, decided whilst i was already under anaesthetic, (obviously without my agreement) that he might aswell go right ahead and chop bits out.. then it all went pear shaped. The massive snowball effect that that dishonesty had on my life, to you might aswell just be blah blah blah, but to me, it was catastrophic. The disdain and distrust i have for that profession, and that particular butcher, will never subside.

Before i was sent to see various physio's and osteopaths, i had constant burning in my left buttock and pain down my leg.. after years of various bending, cracking and electrical implements stuck to me, i now have pain in my lower back, burning buttock, no sensation to the left side of my leg (which is now bald, oddly) and a brace on my foot because it won't bend upwards.

These, in my opinion, are backward steps and deserve to be treated by me as just guess work and nothing else.

 

5

Thank you for the reply, edna.. you've described it perfectly.

Surgery will never happen, but thank you for the 'without surgery you have very few avenues for any hope of relief' that's what i was looking for. x

 

6

Garry, I'm really worried about you, genuinely worried. If you are absolutely against further surgery & nothing will sway you, not an agreement that they will only do what they have agreed with you & nothing more then have you spoke to your Dr about alternative medication, sorry I forget your age was it 45, your not old, you have so much living ahead of you. I get it, I really do, what you have to endure daily, its not worth the fight, you push yourself, beyond any normal healthy persons limits, beyond your own physical & mental limits, it never ceases there is no escape from it but if there is something that can ease it, a light a the end of the tunnel its bareable, fighting just to get through a day I have asked myself numerous times is this worth it!! We need to help you find that light at the end of the tunnel, that acheiveable goal to make it worth it, cos one more day done is one more day nearer to your goal, nearer to a solution. I'm concerned that your going to do something silly, if you'd like to talk privately, i'm happy to exchange email addresses, I'm not a medical professional, I'm just a normal person who understands how decimating chronic uncontrollable pain is, if you need somebody to talk to or just to listen then I'm happy to talk, I would also strongly recommend speaking to your Dr, like I said I'm concerned about you x