SKI-er or Sk-ater. We know how to enjoy ourselves

Errata

So I hope I never have to have one of those MRI scans because I don't think I could do it.

The MRI, CT and PET scanners I've become very familiar with over the last couple of years have all been doughnut shaped, a bit like an 12"to 18" tunnel, they've moved up and down my body from my neck to my knees, so at any one time the top half or the bottom half of my body hasn't been inside the scanner and I could easily see the room outside (not that there was anything interesting to look at). The CT and MRI scans only lasted for a matter of seconds, the PET scan lasted 30 minutes and I was bored to tears.
None of them felt claustrophobic for me, and if someone suffers from very bad claustrophobia and needs a scan sedative can be given.

margaretclare

tanith wrote: »

My MRI also said a protrusion which turned out to be a bulging disc which was pressing on nerves including the Sciatic Nerve, they tried physio, rest and meds but in the end they did a small surgery I think it was called a laminectomy which involved removing the protrusion .. took time to recover but it certainly helped with the pain but I do still have numbness in the smaller toes of my foot on the side I had the Sciatica... I hope all goes well for him and that you get to Amiens for your hols..

Thank you very much for this - the mention of a 'protrusion' does seem to make logical sense according to your experience. Rest and meds have not worked so far, in fact he's had a lot of difficulty getting a comfortable position to rest in. His extending chair has been useful but going to bed, he mostly has to sleep propped up on pillows because he's in too much pain when he tries to lie down. We have an 'orthopaedic' type mattress which in turn is on a firm base and is high enough off the floor to enable us to slide into bed from a sitting position, not those cheap low ones you get in most hotels.

Errata, the scanner he was in had to be positioned in such a way that the part being focused on i.e. his lumbar spine was exactly in the middle. We were there an hour and a half in total.

tanith

Has he tried sleeping with a firm pillow under or between his knees depending on whether he likes to sleep on his back or side, I slept with pillows under my knees and sometimes still find it the most comfortable position when my back aches. Thank heavens for 'high' beds I say lol...

margaretclare

tanith wrote: »

Has he tried sleeping with a firm pillow under or between his knees depending on whether he likes to sleep on his back or side, I slept with pillows under my knees and sometimes still find it the most comfortable position when my back aches. Thank heavens for 'high' beds I say lol...

I think he's tried just about everything and mostly, the only way he can sleep is semi-sitting up.

Agree about high beds. We've needed it because of previous joint replacements - my hips and his knees. Thank goodness it's a king-size so that if he's restless there's a bit more room to be restless in.

margaretclare

Oooops. All our plans and projects have had to go on to the back burner. B went to see the spinal orthopaedic consultant this afternoon. Got a phone call from him saying very quietly 'It's more serious than we thought'.

Basically some of the vertebrae in his lower back are very badly worn. No explanation 'why' - he hasn't been doing heavy manual labour for years and years, hasn't been in that type of work situation at all!!! Because the vertebrae are worn the discs have been slipping, and one of them is pressing on the spinal cord. He was told 'The greatest risk is to do nothing'. So, surgery is planned for sometime in the next few days.

Needless to say, our planned 4-night stay in Amiens later this month is OFF. The Novotel was booked and paid for, so is the ferry crossing. We'll have to either re-book at a later date or try to get the money back. However, even that isn't important.

pollypenny

Oh, dear, MC. Sorry about the bad news. But al least your OH will get some immediate treatment. Cross fingers for him.

seven-day-weekend

Wishing your husband well, margaretclare.

tanith

Sorry to hear that MC its good that its been spotted and they intend on fixing it straight away... lets us know how things go

beedeedee

All the best for your husband - pleased it's getting sorted straightaway.

margaretclare

Thanks to all for the kind words and wishes. When discussing risks he was told 'The greatest risk is to do nothing'. i.e. permanent damage to the spinal cord. Doesn't bear thinking about.