wooop! Woooop!
I can sit down again!!
1.5mile walk today. minor pain but i feet the better of it. 😎
Congratulations Ricky! It seems like you're making good progress.
Can I ask, how did you manage to go to the toilet, eat or go to the doctors/consultants if you couldnt sit down?? I really cant imagine not being able to sit!
I've got my first appointment with the Spinal Clinic tomorrow for an initial assessment. To be honest, I'm not expecting much from this visit itself, but I'm hoping he'll manage to get me a quick appointment with the consultants.
And thanks for the heads-up Doog about being forceful about having the operation. Hubby is coming with me and believe me he is pretty forceful when he sets his mind to it. He is so fed up with having to do everything as well as cope with a full-time job and being worried about me as well, he is adamant I should be taken in straight away for the op 😉 Especially as I'm am currently forced to stay off work and will soon have to resort to benefits.
I'll let you know how it goes guys and keep posting your progress. It's so heartening to read.
cheers for now
CatMac
Thats great news Catmac. I hope you get seen to and resolve the problem. Im just back from a 2 mile walk. Not so good today. Sore and stiff with twinges. But i'm going to stick with it for a week. Its keeping my head positive and the cabin fever away. I can sit down in the last few days but again i'm easing into that gently.
To answer your question, I eat standing up. Toilet is allowed!! I did introduce more fiber into my diet though to help. Especially when taking tylex. I'd strongly advise it. I've no doc appt until end of march. My consultant leaves it 6wks to settle before seeing you. He also says no physio etc or exercise except walking for 6wks also. Maybe thats tailored to my lifestyle (commute / sitting office job) i don't know. I got the stitches checked by the GP which was 5mins in the car away. That wasn't that pleasant a journey.
The main thing i'm noticing is i don't have the same stamina as i did. In fairness ive been laying flat for nearly 2 months more or less. Im sure its just part of recovery.
How you doing Doog?
Good luck Catmac with your appointment.
🙂
Hi Ricky
Hope you are well.Looks like you are cranking up the miles - take it easy buddy 🙂
Like you I need to avoid cabin fever but I also have some sort of cold turkey from coming off the meds. I stopped taking Oramorph but took codeine instead as I thought it was a step down. I stopped them 2 days ago and havent slept since :confused: (hence the 4am post)
Walking is hilarious. After 500 yards it feels like my legs and feet dont belong to my body and its a real effort to connect the brain with the action of walking. The result is that I am starting to drag my feet on occasion the further I go. This feels odd but I am hoping its just the muscles sorting themselves out as my distance progresses.
Pain wise- sciatica going yeeeeeessss but still acute left side back pain (op was on the right)
Physio - 2 sessions of core muscle strengthening - nothing strenuous
Best of luck Catmac with your appointment.
Hi Ricky/Doog
Well, I had my appointment yesterday and it went somewhat better than I expected. I was initially concerned to see the appointment was with the Spinal Therapist, so I rang the main admin centre as soon as I got the letter to make sure it wasnt just for a physio appointment as I was in no fit state for any physio. The lady on the phone assured me it was for an initial assessment and subject to their findings would determine the next course of action. I was pretty sure from reading some of the posts on here that they would just refer me to physio.
However, the person I saw was a female musculoskeletal consultant and she checked me thoroughly for movement, leg strength, reflexes etc before going through the MRI scan with me. It showed bulges at L3/L4, L4/L5 and L5/S1 and looking at the cross-sections it seemed that the one at L4/L5 was just pinching the nerve on the left. I did try as you said Doog to be pretty forceful about having the op as I didnt want to waste time going through injections & physio treatment which wouldnt actually cure the problem.
Apparently in my area there is currently a 1-2 year waiting list for such operations and she felt on looking at the scans that there was a good chance the disc would retreat back in between the joints as there was still a gap surrounding the disc and nerve. Well, the upshot is that she is sending me for a nerve root block injection to reduce the inflammation and then to start physio a week or 2 after that. She reckoned that 70-80% of people who have this dont need the op. She also said it would probably be up to 2 months at the most before I would get the injection. That, in theory would enable me to be pain-free enough to return to work and try and carry out normal duties.
I am still somewhat sceptical as to whether it will work but I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. I know there are quite a few people on here who have been down this route and it hasnt worked, but I'm hoping that those it hasnt worked for dont bother to come on this site as they are no longer in pain. I'll let you know how it goes.
Keep your chins up and keep in touch. You both seem to be doing pretty well and I hope it continues at pace.
All the best
CatMac 🙂
I thought the maximimum waiting time for an nhs op was limited to 18 weeks now? They can't say years anymore? [url]Guide to waiting times[/url]
Hi Cassie, how are you doing these days? Ok, I hope.
Many thanks for the info. I clicked on the link and it seems pretty clear that the maximum waiting time is 18 weeks. The only downside is that it specifically mentions this is in England and I'm living in Wales!
I've had a look at the NHS in Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government websites and while I can find loads of stuff on there about policies, strategies & targets, plans for reducing obesity, smoking and introducing opt-out organ donation schemes, as well as loads of statistics, all beautifully presented I must add, I cant find anything that mentions waiting list times. Either that or I'm just not looking in the right place.
The last lot of figures they produced for times was in March 2010 where my local health board showed that 50% of people waiting for admission for inpatient treatment waited less than 8 weeks, 10% waited 8-14 weeks, 20% waited 14-22 weeks and 10% waited longer than that. The other 10% presumably gave up waiting or died in the meantime. However, joking apart, it doesnt really tell me much.
Nevertheless, you have given me something to work on so I will persevere in trying to find the info.
Cheers again and best regards
CatMac 🙂
Hi CatMac
That is quite shocking about the waiting time for the operation in your neck of the woods. You are however doing the correct thing I reckon in going for the injections first as surgery is obviously deemed a last resort ( unless the circumstances are urgent ie loss of bladder control etc in which case you would go straight in)
I had 2 epidurals in 2008 but they didn't work, however I know of people who have had good results.
The important thing is that you have passed the first hurdle and are in the 'system'
You may find this article interesting just in case the injections dont work
[url]BBC News - Private hospital operations to cut NHS waiting times[/url]
best of luck
Morning Doog
Thanks for that link, it is interesting reading. It mentions trying to reduce orthopaedic waiting times to 36 weeks which suggests that the current waiting time is considerably longer that that. And you're right, it is disgraceful !
I'm glad to hear you know of people for whom the injections have worked, that's most reassuring. I was kind of hoping that it was the case that those who it did work for havent found it necessary to post on here. As you say, at least I'm now in the system and I'm quite willing to give the injection a chance in the hope that it will work in my case. If it doesnt, then at least it's one option tried and ruled out.
Having read through many articles on sciatica, I am familiar with the cauda equina syndrome, and the consultant did ask me questions about bowel and bladder habits, as did my doctor when I last saw him. And, although it means I'd jump the queue and get taken in straight away, fortunately, it hasnt got to that stage yet.
So, for now I'll be keeping my fingers crossed the injection works and I can return to a normal life.
I wish the same for you - is everything still progressing well? Has the pain on your left side gone yet and how's the walking going? Keep us posted.
Many thanks again
CatMac
Hiya CatMac!
You are definately not looking in the wrong place, I tried to find it too, its just not there! Niether do they have any safety rates, efficacy rates, complication rates nor any trial results for any spinal decompression procedures carried out in Wales!
I believe thats because, if the facts do surfaces, it will cause a scandal!!
A disgrace indeed!!:mad:
FYI, I had 4 nerve root block injections, my 2 'succesfull' injections were carried out at Llandough Hospital. Both immediately improved my condition and lasted for 6 to 11 weeks. If you have a single level issue, and they hit the right target level, I believe you too will benefit from the same sort of relief. If you don't CatMac, the likelyhood is, that they targeted the wrong level. Just like they did with my first 2 injections!! 
Wishing you all the best
SPINELF
Hi Spinelf, it's so nice to hear from someone else from my neck of the woods. I have read many posts of yours on numerous topics on this forum so I gather you are rather an "old hand" with various spine problems.
It's also good to know I'm not losing my mind as well as my mobility, if you have also had trouble locating any useful information on the Welsh Heath websites. I find both the Welsh NHS and Welsh Assembly Government produce excellent rhetoric but nothing of substance that is of any use to the patient. As you say, that is probably because it would cause an uproar.
Touch wood I only have the single level cause of pain you mention. Other than a "slipped disc" about 10-12 years ago I have fortunately not really suffered any problems with my back until the onset of the sciatica. I hope also that they manage to target the correct nerve first time, although I'm well aware that many people have found it takes a few attempts.
I did ask the Spinal Therapist which hospital I would likely be sent to and was told it could be either Llandough or the Heath. I sincerely hope it is Llandough, which I have attended many times, and not the Heath as I do not like that hospital at all.
While I was at the Clinic, she advised me to try and lie on my front on pillows to strengthen the spine. Well I tried that Tuesday and was in tremendous agony all afternoon and evening afterwards. On Wednesday I looked online for "the best sleeping positions for sciatica" and found that, for my particular symptoms, I should lie on my side on the opposite side to the one that hurt. As I had been lying on my "bad" side, I tried this and I must admit it seems to have helped considerably. I now find I can stand straighter and do not walk listed to one side and dont have pains in my buttock or lower back any more, just the pain in my leg and foot.
I only mention this as maybe I only need something simple to help me return to normal. So I am crossing my fingers that the injection and subsequent physio exercises do the trick.
Thanks for you best wishes and the same to you. And please keep up the many, useful posts for readers like myself.
Best regards CatMac
Just a quick update.
4 wks on. walking 3miles a day. Still uncomfortable to sit for anything longer than 20mins. My torso right side is odd. feels week. Lost all sciatia but the hamstring and calf pain is there. Sore in the morning. Lower back pain is there most days. Looking forward to physio to sort that end of things. Still no bending etc but after the 3wk mark you tend to have much more mobility and have to be more cautious not to do silly things.
🙂
Just a quick update.
4 wks on. walking 3miles a day. Still uncomfortable to sit for anything longer than 20mins. My torso right side is odd. feels week. Lost all sciatia but the hamstring and calf pain is there. Sore in the morning. Lower back pain is there most days. Looking forward to physio to sort that end of things. Still no bending etc but after the 3wk mark you tend to have much more mobility and have to be more cautious not to do silly things.
🙂
I am glad to see you are improving with your excersise regime, although painfull I'm sure, it really is the best thing. not only for stamina but mentally as well, so carry on regardless! 🙂
All the very best wishes.
SPINELF
Hiya CatMac.
Less of the 'old' if you don't mind! LOL!!!
Further to the point about the lack of information, I have made 2 First Ministers, 2 Health Ministers and the Health Ombudsman, fully aware of this total lack of patient and clinical information & evidence. They have declared themselves to be totally disinterseted!! They are more than happy to let the Medics carry on!!
I am glad to see that you only have one level issue, and I too hope that they they find it first time for you.
I understand your point about the Heath, it is a good hospital, but it feels like a bit of a big old souless place!
Quote((((((While I was at the Clinic, she advised me to try and lie on my front on pillows to strengthen the spine. Well I tried that Tuesday and was in tremendous agony all afternoon and evening afterwards. On Wednesday I looked online for "the best sleeping positions for sciatica" and found that, for my particular symptoms, I should lie on my side on the opposite side to the one that hurt. As I had been lying on my "bad" side, I tried this and I must admit it seems to have helped considerably. I now find I can stand straighter and do not walk listed to one side and dont have pains in my buttock or lower back any more, just the pain in my leg and foot. )))))))END
(((In relation to your quote above CatMac))) In the early days of my illlness, It was told that my L3/4 lumber disc was to blame for my symptoms and was compressing my spinal nerves from the front, and I was given exercises to extend (bend) my spine backwards to force that disc away from the nerves. In reallity, I actually sufferd with an L4/5 bone (osteoarthitic) impingement that was compressing my spinal nerves from the back. so by being a good boyand doing their excercises, I was making my condition worse!!
So the moral to my experience CatMac, is that if it does not feel right for you, then it is not right for you, full stop. You know your body better than them. so please tell them so Cat Mac, and make them listen!! Please don't waste years of your life, like me, by thinking they know best!
Kind thoughts and best wishes.
SPINELF
Just a quick update from me as well....4 week post op.
Good day, bad day, good day, bad day. Like Ricky I still cannot sit for any period of time, my limit is about 10 minutes and when standing afterwards I get sciatic pain. I am in more pain and on more meds than before the operation:confused:.
However things are slowly improving but only in comparison to my immediate post op condition. Left side pain has decreased and can walk a little bit further every day. The weather is great and I am staying positive.
CatMac, I read your post about the pain involved in lying on your front. I was told to do the Mackenzie stretch last time around by my physio and it set me back weeks, similar to SPINELF. (see vid)
[url]McKenzie Exercise - YouTube[/url]
I have also had a physio manipulate me after researching sciatica in a book 2 minutes earlier:eek: and another who looked at the scan and said it was simply a bulge when in fact it was a full blown extrusion. No physio in the world would get that bad boy back into the disc but the physio thought they would give it a bloody good go!!!
Its not all bad. The core strengthening exercises are meant to be useful and may work as a future preventative measure but I really struggle with them.