Back/Disc Problems

DK man

Hi folks.

Any advise on this - hurt my back last Nov lifting heavy logs and it turns out I have a disc problem... MRI scan shows a slight bulge impinging on the nerve (slipped disc in lay mans terms).....

Went to a 1 consultant who was very upbeat and put me on a two week course of strong anti-imflamitories and told me to take it easy and I should be fine in a few months......... I naturally was very happy and skipped out of his surgery with a smile displacing my worried face.

Two months later I am much better but still sore and not able to do the things I love (kayaking) so I thought I'd get another view. Consultant no. 2 was not so up beat talked about surgery and injections and his prognosis was less rosey........ He told me not to consider ever kayaking again...

During the consultation consultant 2 was busy reading another patients files and did not seem to give me the kind of attention I feel €140 euro would merit (I work as a teacher and earn about €140 for a full day and would not be so blaise with a student who was in my office for guidance). He was quick to suggest the two forms of treatment even though he said he was surprised how far he could lift my leg up when I was in the lying position. ..... Anybody out ther know much about disc problems and has anyone got 2 very different views from reading the same scan results!!!!!

Wud appreciate your views if you've any experience in this area......
Ta DK man

InFront

It is possible that Consultant 2 would have initially given you a bright prognosis, but presumably you told him about the drug therapy and the time period over which you have not fully recovered, and in light of the poor success, he came up with a less positive prognosis?

Perhaps consultant 1 would also have come to this conclusion after a few weeks, as you say the prolapse only seemed slight in the scan.

Medicine is not always an exact science, but there doesn't seem to be a huge anomaly in what the two consultants are saying.
It really sucks if it stops you from kayaking though, did consultant 2 rule it out entirely? Because that does seem quite harsh.

peveril13

Ive got what sounds like a similar problem. injured my back 12 years ago, am 30 now, and since then Ive probably seen about 25 different people in various countries Ive been in. go thru phases of it being good and bad but basically Im hugely careful of it always and it is a factor in everything from deciding on that long drive to see my friend to what I pack to go on hilidays cause if I lift a heavy bag I could hurt myself.
Im sorry to say but this will probably be an issue for the rest of your days, its just a matter of managing it as best you can.