Just returned from IIDB Atos Medical

mummyofonechild

Ellejmorgan wrote: »

Painful condition I have this, had lots of surgeries and two more to go, got to have decompression, replacement and fusion of neck, and lower back fused...

It can be debilitating dependant where the discs are prolapsed...

There could be an argument for this injury occuring anyway, they may and try to argue that falling was a 'minor occurance' and that the injury sustained could have happened anyway...
They could argue that your discs were already weak

I may be wrong and I hope I am...

I hope you are wrong, because I am tired of being in pain all the time,my GP has been great but so far no one has been able to take the pain away. I know the money wont take the pain away but I don't know if I will qualify unless I try. I am getting to the end of my tether with it all now.

Ellejmorgan

mummyofonechild wrote: »

I hope you are wrong, because I am tired of being in pain all the time,my GP has been great but so far no one has been able to take the pain away. I know the money wont take the pain away but I don't know if I will qualify unless I try. I am getting to the end of my tether with it all now.

Hi hun I've had this condition for 3.5 years, where are your discs gone, they have a number, ie I have a prolapse at C5-C6...

I am on morphine, I have to have patches, I wouldn't be able to move otherwise..

I started with lower back problems, had chronic sciatica, went for MRI and was told surgeon that it was one of the worst prolapses they have ever seen and surgery was the only option..
I only waited 6 weeks and it was deeemed emergancy, my pelvis had become numb, I had become unable to use the toilet...

After the op the leg had improved but I have been lef with no reflexes in the ankle, my feet are painful and walking is hard..my hips are painful...
My back locks up and last year was told I have spinal degeneration and arthritis where I had the op..

Two years ago I woke up one morning in absolute agony in my arm and shoulder, long story short it was discovered I have prolapse C5-C6...

I basically feel like I've been hanging by my arm all day and that my collar bone is broken..
My fingers are numb, I no longer can write using a pen..
Surgery was planned for last year but had to put it off as no one for my kids..
Now though i'm running out off time for the op as arm is weak..
I did have steroid in my neck twice but the last one made it worse..

I am 33 years old btw...

Have you been told about treatment options ???
I thought i'd tell you how it is for me so you can know more about the condition from someone elses point of view..

mummyofonechild

Ellejmorgan wrote: »

Hi hun I've had this condition for 3.5 years, where are your discs gone, they have a number, ie I have a prolapse at C5-C6...

I am on morphine, I have to have patches, I wouldn't be able to move otherwise..

I started with lower back problems, had chronic sciatica, went for MRI and was told surgeon that it was one of the worst prolapses they have ever seen and surgery was the only option..
I only waited 6 weeks and it was deeemed emergancy, my pelvis had become numb, I had become unable to use the toilet...

After the op the leg had improved but I have been lef with no reflexes in the ankle, my feet are painful and walking is hard..my hips are painful...
My back locks up and last year was told I have spinal degeneration and arthritis where I had the op..

Two years ago I woke up one morning in absolute agony in my arm and shoulder, long story short it was discovered I have prolapse C5-C6...

I basically feel like I've been hanging by my arm all day and that my collar bone is broken..
My fingers are numb, I no longer can write using a pen..
Surgery was planned for last year but had to put it off as no one for my kids..
Now though i'm running out off time for the op as arm is weak..
I did have steroid in my neck twice but the last one made it worse..

I am 33 years old btw...

Have you been told about treatment options ???
I thought i'd tell you how it is for me so you can know more about the condition from someone elses point of view..

Hi

The 2 discs involved are L4/L5 and L5/S1. I have had 2 nerve root blocks, the latest was 4 weeks ago and they had no effect at all. In fact daft as it sound the pain in my back is worse now than it was before. I cant walk or move without being in pain and no longer go out of the house unless I have to. I also have numbness in my hands but have never associated it with my back. Surgery is not an option according to the hospital so I don't know where I go from here. I can not see an end to the pain.

Thank You for the insight into your condition.

MOOC xx

Ellejmorgan

mummyofonechild wrote: »

Hi

The 2 discs involved are L4/L5 and L5/S1. I have had 2 nerve root blocks, the latest was 4 weeks ago and they had no effect at all. In fact daft as it sound the pain in my back is worse now than it was before. I cant walk or move without being in pain and no longer go out of the house unless I have to. I also have numbness in my hands but have never associated it with my back. Surgery is not an option according to the hospital so I don't know where I go from here. I can not see an end to the pain.

Thank You for the insight into your condition.

MOOC xx

I would ask for an MRI on your neck, make sure it's neck not arm, I suspect you may have another gone in your neck, I may be wrong though..

I too had L5/S1 removed..

It took me about 2 years to realise I wasn't going to get better and to try to stop recovering..
I had to change my life to fit in with this condition, I can't work, lift , write, walk..I had to accept and and adapt..

It's especially hard as I am so young, I was 30 when it started...

There are things that can help though, there is a sitting position which was a god send i'll pm you if you wish..

mummyofonechild

Its certainly worth a try. I had never associated the pins and needles with a neck problem. Its just under 2 years since I did it and I have the same feeling that it would have got better by now if it was going to. The MRI was done on my lower back only, not any higher up. I have been off work for almost a year. I have my ESA Assessment with Atos tomorrow, so thats twice in a week Atos will have seen me.

Ellejmorgan

mummyofonechild wrote: »

Its certainly worth a try. I had never associated the pins and needles with a neck problem. Its just under 2 years since I did it and I have the same feeling that it would have got better by now if it was going to. The MRI was done on my lower back only, not any higher up. I have been off work for almost a year. I have my ESA Assessment with Atos tomorrow, so thats twice in a week Atos will have seen me.

Going to pm you now can advise with atos..