Hello Amos,
Have you mentioned the medication to a dr and his suggestion for what else you can take.
I have no idea why your back radiates pain but I think some medication works for some people and not for others I haven't a clue why but I was on Gabapentin and it didn't work for me but I have heard lots of people taking it and its OK - I take Pazital and Lyrica.... as an aside - Lyrica is affecting me badly (but it doesn't 100% cut out the pain) not "with it" and forgot my handbag in the city park 2 weeks ago I know its going to be a struggle to go back to the "Los & Found" office.
I hear its about 29 weeks in England for an appointment with a dr????? but hope its better in Norway. Not sure what it is in Spain because my surgeon has told me that it is too dangerous to operate although he has opened a door for me to go back (just think he was so busy the day I saw him) but as mine is L3/4 L4.5 and Sl/l5 I think the latter is near the bowel..... Have you read the Spine Health website or do you not want to know what is happening to your neck/back.
I think it depends on where the "slipped disc" is and what its pressing on, but maybe someone will correct me or comment.
Its funny because before i went onto the health system I was going to go private, until this surgeon quoted me 20,000€ and a) I couldn't afford that and b) why did he think he could operate and the health surgeon say it was too dangerous.
So, can you get a second opinion?
I don't think they separate English from Spanish here (in fact up until now as my Spanish friends have helped me I have had wonderful treatment) but surgeons are very very cautious, you are lucky - if I can say that - you are having corrective surgery as they won't do that for me. Are you having this privately or health system
There may be an explanation for your neck & back to be so painful so hang on in there - They can do fabulous things now with your body, they can do artificial discs now
Please tell us what happens on 1st March. I wish you luck, try to be firm with who you see - the Spanish seem to get on better in hospitals than we do.
When we had the old hospital they even have security guards on each floor lol and I have seen them going into action with the Spanish people. However, its not funny having pain - at least my medication gets me out of bed but it takes 1 hour to them to kick in and when I have to get up early to go to the hospital I am knackered at night.
Do you do exercise? Go to the physio? There are some good NHS exercises on their website and you don't have to get out of bed to do them.....
I am sure you will get some more people advising you and telling you whats what so hang on in there. By the way if they say an operation is a long way off, ask for a cortisone injection. I have terrible bones, I take Vitamin D every day and I am going to ask for a cortisone injection i my thigh to carry me on until I see someone who can give me some hope. The last I had was 4 injections in my right thigh and 3 in the other but your bad back might be in a different position. If you press your thigh with your fingers and actually find where the pain is, that where they did my injection, same on the other side. I know you put on weight with these injections but I have put on weight with Lyrica.
Best of luck hope to hear form you....