MRIs on the NHS - Blood From a Stone.

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Just came to vent my frustrations about my treatment (or lack of) on the NHS for chronic lower back pain, degenerative L4-L5 herniation and various other symptoms.

I was finally diagnosed with a degenerative L4-L5 8 years ago (aged 19), after spending two years trying to convince the doctors I was actually in chronic back pain and getting them to take me seriously.

The eventual MRI came back as outlined above, including impingement on one of the nerve canals. I was given pain killers & Naproxen… Took up my own physio at home for this, as I was fairly active & fit.

Back pain & Sciatia is just something I have lived with intermittently, but I hoped it would improve with time. .. alas, it did not.

It’s only ever gotten progressively worse. Last year it got so bad that I ended up at the doctors again. I rarely visit the doctors, I’m rarely ill and can take a lot of pain before I feel the need to attend, but I felt the need to attend once more, as it was making life difficult at work.

Got to the doctors, they hardly paid any interest, told me to refer myself to the Physio hospital. Did that, got an appointment about 4 months later.

In the mean time I also went to see two private Chiropractors who said that the disks seems to be further compressed with the spaces between them thinning. They said the SI joints were misaligned all as the ligaments in the area were contracted, also causing pain, as my body tried to compensate.

Attended my NHS Pshysio appointment and told them that the lower back pain was chronic, my SI joints were bulging/out of place, my ass hurt, Sciatica was frequent, got a bit of Piriformis syndrome.. But in general, my lower back felt like it had a ton of bricks sitting on it, and it felt like a rusty iron rod, ready to snap at anytime.

Got a completely blank/bewildered facial expression in return to the comments about my SI joints, didn’t seem to know what to say about those. The lady there recommended glute exercises, and pooh-poohed the the idea of visiting private Chiropractors and said they didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. I told her that I felt like I needed an MRI because things were changing and for the worst. She pooh-poohed that idea and said, quote “There’s no point sending you for an MRI because it will just show us what we already know about your bulging disc”.

Okay, I know I’m not a medical professional.. But I do know that the only way to be sure whats happening down there is to have a new MRI. Anything else is purely speculation, right? It’s been 8 years, nearly 9 .. a lot could have changed in that time.

So I just returned from the doctors and they’ve told me return to physio, who are no doubt just going to fob me off again. Why should I have to waste my time and their time doing exercises that aren’t helping? I just need a damn MRI. The doctors didn’t ask me a single question about my spine other than “Do you have bowl problems?” and spent more time asking me about my child care and if I’ve ever suffered domestic abuse? What? I’m here about my back, not my personal life, which is fine, thank you (?!)

I actually suspect I have Spinal Stenosis, as the most severe pain is now whilst just standing or walking, my spine feels brittle and under pressure. When I sit down or lean over something to take the weight off that helps. My legs always ache & feel weak, somethings not right there.

I’m only 27 years old. I just had my first child. But my back feels like it belongs to an 75 year old. I really do fear for the future. I have no idea how I will cope with this in 10 years time.

I can’t help but think how useless I find GPs and physio therapists alike, in my experience.

2

I started seeing doc about my back when I was 39 years old. They did not want to operate, they did no even do an MRI, just x rays. I managed for years with stretching and staying active by cycling. I had a bad bought of sciatica (first time) in 1997 or so. It last a year or more, maybe 2. Nothing seemed to help, went to a chiropractor (she is not retired and about the only one I felt comfortable with), physical therapy with both a traditional phy rx and a hands on practioner. I did pretty well until 2010 when I was rear-ended while trying to make a turn. My diagnosis after the accident was degenerative disc L4/L5 L5/S1. m The sciatica returned strongly. I had my first surgery 6/2011. I would not consent to cages. My mistake, I had to have a second surgery as things got worse after the first one and now I was at the point where I was dragging my leg the pain was so severe. I interviewed 11 or so docs until I felt comfortable and had a much more intense surgery done, with the surgeon going in the front and back. I have gotten almost total relief of the sciatica but I get twinges from time to time, sometimes it is uncomfortable sitting in a plush recliner but I manage well. There is now wear above but no more surgery for me on my back if I can avoid it.

Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) has really helped me greatly. I have been 20 months now and I am just starting to feel that I will need another round of treatments. The first 2 attempts and RFA wer not successful due to the levels where treatment was given.

I hope you are seeing a good pain specialist before doing anything else, it is worth the try. I tried before my first 2 surgeries but at that time I needed more.

Good luck

3

What a terrible time you’ve had and are still having. The only way I’m afraid is do everything privately. That’s the only way in my experience to cut through the NHS. Get your GP to do a private referral to a Neuro Consultant who will assess you at initial appt and then refer you for MRI scan. You will get a private appt within a few days. Consultant will want to see you after MRI to discuss results/decide on next steps. Cost up to this point I’d guess around £800. But you’d know exactly what diagnosis is. Consultants can refer you back in to the NHS system under his care. This route will speed things up a lot.
I’ve had disk issues for 40 years and had 3rd surgery last year after being in terrible pain for 5 years on heavy painkillers which I’m now off completely. I continued my company group private medical insurance when I retired 20 years ago just in case my back problem started up again which it did as well as surgery for disks in my neck. It costs me a fortune every month but I couldn’t risk having NHS problems like you’re having.
I’d really recommend seeing a Neuro Consultant privately and you should get an appointment within days.
Hope this helps.
Doreen