I think I have a herniated disk in my neck. It is not causing me sciatica, but the area itself is very painful and I have a very low pain threshold. Can I still get replacement disk surgery anyway if I want it? Money is not an issue, but will doctors be willing to perform the surgery?
Someone answer me, please! I really could do with advice.
Hello Slahbah, don't know if I can help you but I can't bear leaving you in such distress. Have you seen your doctor? This process takes such a long time, I waited months to see the consultant. You can refer yourself to a private consultation but may cost around £200. You need an MRI scan to see what is happening properly and that needs to be ordered by a doc and can take ages to get done. And if you're young they may advise physio to get your disc back in place...which can be done if you're not an old bat like me. Any help?
There are lots of options out there and surgery is not always successful, so be careful what route you take. Hope you get sorted soon.
Melza
Hello Slahbah, don't know if I can help you but I can't bear leaving you in such distress. Have you seen your doctor? This process takes such a long time, I waited months to see the consultant. You can refer yourself to a private consultation but may cost around £200. You need an MRI scan to see what is happening properly and that needs to be ordered by a doc and can take ages to get done. And if you're young they may advise physio to get your disc back in place...which can be done if you're not an old bat like me. Any help?
There are lots of options out there and surgery is not always successful, so be careful what route you take. Hope you get sorted soon.
Melza
Thank you so much for answering. Are you saying it is possible to repair a herniated disk? I did not think this was the case
Slipped discs are a common problem, as you can see on the forum. Are you sure thats what you have? The usual route is to have physio (which you must follow to the letter!) and in normal circumstances the disc will slip back in place. If you still have problems you will be referred for an MRI scan so they can see exactly whats wrong. Even if there is a disc problem there are loads of ways of sorting it out without invasive surgery. So your route will be GP, for referral to physio. Then assessment followed by remedial exercises. If all that is unsuccessful you will have an MRI scan.
In this area they are very strict about going through the correct process, GP, Physio, Back clinic, consultant + MRI scan. Bear in mind though, I have been through a years worth of extreme pain and have only just found that I have at least 5 nasty disc bulges in upper and lower back....and now have to wait to see consultant for the second time. I was just plain unlucky, hope you get sorted out very soon.
Melza
Thanks again for the advice. I hope your pain is better now. Have your disks moved back in to place at all?