Serious back problems

[Shrimper]

Not me, the other half. I'm hoping some PHer's might be able to offer some advice or share any similuar situations. Our wonderful NHS only seem to make thing worse. Quick run down of how its come about:

July - 2 prolapsed discs in lower back, happened whilst getting out of a chair

Whilst back repairing itself, periodically wakes up with dead leg

Sept - falls down stairs due to dead leg

Hospital says 5 prolapsed discs in lower back - possibly heading for Op but release after 4 days.

Op never came about, referred to Kings late Nov & Feb. Lumbar puncture recommended

Nov - left calf and thigh begins to hurt alot - Docs say dying nerve endings, they cant do anything about it.

Dec - Lumbar puncture on Wed. Takes 3 attempts and 3hrs to get the fluid out, first Doc didnt even read her notes and so didnt know she is recovering from 5 discs prolapsed.

We have recently been to see a private physio, who was very good but has been told by Docs not to do anything more until lumbar results. MS has been mentioned several times by docs and a neurosurgeon (I think thats what she is).

As you can imagine, the poor girl cant work, drive, pretty much do anything. Shes 22.

Does anyone have any thoughts/experiences/opinions?

[douglasr]

There have been a couple of threads recently about prolapsed discs (mine included). Has she had an MRI scan - I assume so if they are diagnosing 5 prolapsed discs.
If I were her I would be concerned about the loss of motor control / strength. Has she suffered from drop foot (look it up), difficulty passing urine or lack of bowel control. If so she may be at risk of, or even suffering from, cauda equina syndrome. The Cauda Equina is is a big bundle of nerves at the base of the spine. The motor control loss and especially bladder/bowel changes are signs of problems - typically a prolapse at L5-S1 I believe. The loss of function can become permanent in a short time as the nerves leading to the bladder and anus can be damaged in a short time. Here is any article on Cauda Equina Syndrome:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1263571-over...

When I went to my doctor and explained I had lost motor function he was really worried and recommended an MRI and Orthopediac consult ASAP. I was lucky enough to have private cover and my problem is a prolapse at L3-L4. Its watch and wait for me at the moment and things have improved.

I would go back to your doctor together and be very firm but fair. Explain all of the symptoms, mention the pain, distress etc etc. Make sure he gets a consult for you and make sure you keep hassling the surgery to find out what is going on. Alternatively, you could take a risk and say that she has trouble initiating urination. This will set alarm bells off and she may be seen a lot quicker. This may backfire on you of course, and I'm not sure that's the best course of action.

At 22 she has youth on her side and will hopefully be OK. If things are bad then spinal fusion is an option, but it has risks as has all surgery (always the last option). I would do a bit of reading on reliable websites like http://www.backcare.org.uk/ and familiarise yourselves with the medical jargon before your next appointment.

Good luck to you both, I'm sure everything will work out for you.

Edited to add that over 90% of back problems are resolved or improved without surgery.

Edited by douglasr on Friday 17th December 23:57

[davepoth]

If I were you I'd be counting the pennies and looking to go private if you can. At the very least things happen much faster, even if you are using exactly the same doctors.

[BlackVanGirl]

Got a friend who's 19 and in almost exactly the same situation with some pretty serious symptoms suggestive of MS, and bugger-all sense of urgency from the medics.

Look up the number for the neurologist's secretary and ring up, let them know that you can get in quickly if they have a cancellation and that you're really concerned, girlfriend having a bad time etc. It's disgraceful but true that making yourself known and not just waiting for the referrals to slowly percolate through the system WILL get you seen quicker.

[Shrimper]

douglasr - thanks for the detailed response. No bladder/bowel problems throughout, but we have been told if this does become an issue to get straight to the hospital. We will be reading up on those websites anyway, thanks for the links.

davepoth - wish we could afford it! However just going to see a private physio, and her making some phonecalls started to get the ball rolling with the NHS...

blackvangirl - thanks for the advice, pestering definitely seems to be the way to get anything done by the NHS.

Bit of an update for you: a few hours after I wrote the first post she was taken by ambulance to hospital - her back and neck had frozen stiff and she couldnt move. A lot of gas & air and 5hrs in A&E later.... there isnt anything they could do for her. Apparently it is a side effect of numerous lumber puncture attempts, and yet they failed to tell her this after her lp, otherwise she wouldn't have wasted the Ambulance peoples time (who were brilliant by the way)

Waiting for lp results now, and will be pestering them big time from tomorrow morning...