Back Surgery

gagiteebo

Hi all,
I was on here before asking about the cost and effectiveness of the epidural for lower back pain/slipped disc etc anyway I had it done and it didn't work at all so now I'm going for key hole surgery with Dr. Padraic O'Neill in the Mater Private. I don't have health insurance but pain is at such a stage where I am not living anymore. I'm just wondering has anyone had this done with him privately, what were the costs, how long were you laid up etc?
Sorry for all the questions! I never thought I'd be excited to have surgery but after the pain I've experienced it will be welcomed.

Thank you

SlimCi

So sorry this didn't work for you. I had it and had and still am having great success with it 7 years later. However just wanted to wish you the best of luck with the surgery and looking forward to being pain free.

gagiteebo

Just a quick update for anyone who is considering back surgery! I had mine done last Tuesday by Dr Padhraic O'Neill in the Mater Private. I got home on Thursday and apart from the soreness of the actual surgery this is the first time I have been pain free in 18 months The man is a genius! I was in constant pain, I couldn't get out of bed some days and when I did I was bent over. I had a disc removed so it's no longer pressing on the nerve and the relief is unimaginable. I don't quite believe it myself sometimes.

My big fear was being laid up for months but I'm up and about, just have to be VERY careful not to do anything that could cause damage for the next month. So housework and driving etc are all off the cards but I can live with that :P

I've read through posts of people suffering just like I was and I really didn't want to have surgery but I had exhausted every other avenue. I know it's not for everyone but it did work and hopefully continues to work for me There is hope out there of being pain free!

flossie

Gagiteeboo, do you mind me asking how much it cost in the end? Asking as i had 2 epidurals (one was a dual injection into the facet joint) which haven't worked). After letting the surgeon know hie secretary responded by telling me I should try pilates. Not impressed.

Spook_ie

OH is another big fan of Padraic O'Neill ! she had been in agony for over a year and he said during the first consultation that one way or another he would sort it out for her, be it him or his pain management team, long story short she had a microdiskectomy & cyst removal and 3 weeks post surgery was pain free. In her case he said that the first 3 weeks would be bad due to the fact that the nerve had been compressed by both the disc & a cyst, and true to his word, when she went to see him 4 wks post surgery she was pain free. Cant comment on price as we are lucky to have insurance.

stonecruncher

I've had a consultation with Padraic O'Neill and it looks like i'll go ahead with surgery.Pain down the leg is terrible and on painkillers every day.I'm just worried about it!

Spook_ie

Stonecruncher - my OH said to say to you that the surgery is really easy ! she has had knee replacements and said in comparison the back surgery was a walk in the park ! she was admitted on the Sunday, 7.30am on the monday she was down in x-ray having the back markings done, into theatre at 9am and I went into see her at 3pm and while she was drowsy she felt great - the post op pain was no worse than the pain down the leg and at 8pm that night she was walked to the loo. All day tuesday she was kept flat in bed (other than loo visits), wednesday was physio day and she was home on the Thursday. She got the few stitches removed by her GP on day 10. She did have to take it easy until her 4 week checkup but other than that it was a very easy recovery.....she says 'Go for it' !!!!!!

k101

gagittebo- glad the surgery worked for you.

have ongoing problems with my own back, hermiated disc, bulging discs ,ddd.

wondering exactly what was wrong with yours, are you 100pc now or close to it even. .ta

gagiteebo

Hi guys!

So sorry to hear some of you are suffering like I was, it's absolutely horrible.

I had a prolapsed disc and it was pressing on the sciatic nerve so constant pain down my left leg, painful back spasms you name it...

Mr. O'Neill was recommended by someone who had exact same problem.
I went in on the Monday, had an x-ray and blue dye injection so he'd know where to operate. Had the op at 8.30 Tuesday morning and was back in my room by 12.30. Pain in leg was gone. I had to lie flat all day then Wednesday I could lie flat or stand. I went home on Thursday morning. I got my staples out yesterday and have started physio. No driving yet. I am having some twinges but he said to expect this I did have surgery after all :P I'm going back to see him on hte 25th and hopefully will be completely pain free.

The hardest part is doing nothing as I'm very active. I tried to make the bed but soon figured it was not a good idea. Really be careful when bending and sitting down.

The cost was 5,500. 4,000 for the hospital and hte rest are his fees. Pricey but let me tell you to be free of the constant pain and get my life back is invaluable.

Feel free to ask any more questions. His bedside manner is *ahem* rusty but he's a genius

gagiteebo

stonecruncher wrote: »

I've had a consultation with Padraic O'Neill and it looks like i'll go ahead with surgery.Pain down the leg is terrible and on painkillers every day.I'm just worried about it!

Stonecruncher I was exactly the same as you, I had to take painkillers every single day. Don't worry, the surgery is easy, you are completely knocked out and believe me any soreness you have afterwards is nothing compared to what you are going through now. You won't know yourself, you'll be a new person!

royaler83

gagiteebo wrote: »

Just a quick update for anyone who is considering back surgery! I had mine done last Tuesday by Dr Padhraic O'Neill in the Mater Private. I got home on Thursday and apart from the soreness of the actual surgery this is the first time I have been pain free in 18 months The man is a genius! I was in constant pain, I couldn't get out of bed some days and when I did I was bent over. I had a disc removed so it's no longer pressing on the nerve and the relief is unimaginable. I don't quite believe it myself sometimes.

My big fear was being laid up for months but I'm up and about, just have to be VERY careful not to do anything that could cause damage for the next month. So housework and driving etc are all off the cards but I can live with that :P

I've read through posts of people suffering just like I was and I really didn't want to have surgery but I had exhausted every other avenue. I know it's not for everyone but it did work and hopefully continues to work for me There is hope out there of being pain free!

Did you actually have the disc removed or did he take the bulging part of it off?!

gagiteebo

royaler83 wrote: »

Did you actually have the disc removed or did he take the bulging part of it off?!

That's what I thought he was going to do but he took the whole thing out!

stonecruncher

Just an update of my own situation. Had disc removed 5 weeks ago by Dr O'Neill and so far so good. No more pain killers, pain down the leg has gone and I feel great. I can sneeze, cough and laugh now pain free, just need to keep stretching, walking, swimming, etc to build up the muscles and strength in the back. So there is hope for anybody suffering in pain!

royaler83

stonecruncher wrote: »

Just an update of my own situation. Had disc removed 5 weeks ago by Dr O'Neill and so far so good. No more pain killers, pain down the leg has gone and I feel great. I can sneeze, cough and laugh now pain free, just need to keep stretching, walking, swimming, etc to build up the muscles and strength in the back. So there is hope for anybody suffering in pain!

That's great to hear.

Just to clarify, it was spinal fusion you got done yea?! Did he remove the disc and put some high density plastic and a bone graft instead, i'm considering it as an option.

stonecruncher

No I didn't have fusion, just a micro discectomy where they remove as much of the nucleus of the disc as they can by keyhole surgery

scargill

I'll piggyback onto this thread - it might be of use to others.

About 7 years ago I had serious back problems. Spent about a week in bed. Then one day I woke up and all pain was gone. Suspect it was a prolapsed disc that was touching a nerve that settled down.

Have had the odd twinge on and off since then but nothing major.
Then about 6 months ago it started getting worse, and started feeling pains in lower back and down the hamstring.

Went to GP and decided to get an MRI.

Have slipped disc between L5/S1. Have seen a specialist about it.

I am in the middle of physio at the moment - core strength type stuff. Pelvis position needs a bit of adjustment too. Doing some tricky exercises that should help.

The next step, if the physio doesn't bring any significant improvement, is to try an epidural. Was told that the epidural has 50/50 chance of working.
If the epidural doesn't work then nerve cauterization is another option.

In terms of pain....I'd say the pain is a constant 3 out of 10.
If I turn the wrong way or do something repetitive (like gardening) the pain could be 11 out of 10 for a short while and settle back down again.

I'll update this as things progress over the next while!

rocksteady36

In relation to a discectomy and removal of disc is this a day case proceedure?

What kind of costs are we talking and what kind of healthcare covers this?

Thanks

Spook_ie

rocksteady36 wrote: »

In relation to a discectomy and removal of disc is this a day case proceedure?

What kind of costs are we talking and what kind of healthcare covers this?

Thanks

I dont believe anywhere would do this as a day case procedure, 3 to 4 days is the norm. In our case we are lucky to have VHI so cant comment, but I vaguely remember the settlement sheet came in from the VHI and I think was just under 6,000 and that was for the Mater Private 2 years ago.

rocksteady36

Thanks for reply Spook..

Also I went to a Chriprator and was told to wear an orthotic insole because my leg was shorter than the other.

My GP said this was Bull...Anyone have any experience with this insole lift?

Thanks

LegacyUser

rocksteady36 wrote: »

Thanks for reply Spook..

Also I went to a Chriprator and was told to wear an orthotic insole because my leg was shorter than the other.

My GP said this was Bull...Anyone have any experience with this insole lift?

Thanks

have yet to meet a chiropractor who wasnt full of it , they usually tell you your spine is twisted ten seconds after having met you , id trust yoy GP on this occasion

stonecruncher

3 nights in hospital, 1 night before and 2 nights after surgery. The op was fully covered between Aviva 90% and the Mater covered the shortfall

rocksteady36

stonecruncher wrote: »

3 nights in hospital, 1 night before and 2 nights after surgery. The op was fully covered between Aviva 90% and the Mater covered the shortfall

Thansk for reply.. I will get the codes are ring aviva to see if i am covered. Thanks

Using Neurontin pain killers, bit surreal when this drags on for months, kept thinking it wud just go like it did years ago..

I look like your man from the usual suspects walking around...

yogi16

gagiteebo wrote: »

Hi guys!

So sorry to hear some of you are suffering like I was, it's absolutely horrible.

I had a prolapsed disc and it was pressing on the sciatic nerve so constant pain down my left leg, painful back spasms you name it...

Mr. O'Neill was recommended by someone who had exact same problem.
I went in on the Monday, had an x-ray and blue dye injection so he'd know where to operate. Had the op at 8.30 Tuesday morning and was back in my room by 12.30. Pain in leg was gone. I had to lie flat all day then Wednesday I could lie flat or stand. I went home on Thursday morning. I got my staples out yesterday and have started physio. No driving yet. I am having some twinges but he said to expect this I did have surgery after all :P I'm going back to see him on hte 25th and hopefully will be completely pain free.

The hardest part is doing nothing as I'm very active. I tried to make the bed but soon figured it was not a good idea. Really be careful when bending and sitting down.

The cost was 5,500. 4,000 for the hospital and hte rest are his fees. Pricey but let me tell you to be free of the constant pain and get my life back is invaluable.

Feel free to ask any more questions. His bedside manner is *ahem* rusty but he's a genius

i am in the same boat as you except right leg. I am visiting my consultant tonight in the sports surgery clinic and surgery seems all but enevitable. I like you, am very active, i play a lot of sport and my biggest worry is not the operation but the activities i can do afterwards. how active are you know at this stage and do you fully engage in any sports??

regards,
yogi

chattycatty

Have had two back surgeries withing the last year, I am back on the nerve block injections, have spent a fortune on pilates and phyiso since the operations, to be honest the pain has gotten worse ..
surgery was done in the mater privates but not by Mr O Neill, however regretting it now has anyone who has got him , have only good reports.

rocksteady36

chattycatty wrote: »

Have had two back surgeries withing the last year, I am back on the nerve block injections, have spent a fortune on pilates and phyiso since the operations, to be honest the pain has gotten worse ..
surgery was done in the mater privates but not by Mr O Neill, however regretting it now has anyone who has got him , have only good reports.

I know a guy who had chronic back pain and went to O'Neill.

It worked for him and he was playing 5 a side footie months later.

My disc seems to have gone back in, not perfect but its fine.

Sorry to hear about ur back...Not sure why it works for most and not some ppl...

Spook_ie

chattycatty wrote: »

Have had two back surgeries withing the last year, I am back on the nerve block injections, have spent a fortune on pilates and phyiso since the operations, to be honest the pain has gotten worse ..
surgery was done in the mater privates but not by Mr O Neill, however regretting it now has anyone who has got him , have only good reports.

I am one of Mr O Neill's fans, (although the initial consultation was.... how shall I put this......not very pleasant !), you say you have had two back surgeries, what did you have done ? and I assume you have had an MRI ?

apache

i just had a lumbar discectomy 3 weeks ago in the hermitage clinic under mr daniel rawluk.

i had back pain for years and it was particularly bad so i got an mri and found out i had a bulging herniated disc that was pressing on nerves.
i was surprised he didn't suggest physio or pain meds - straight to surgery

there was a good chance that it may not work for me as my pain was more in my back with only a little numbness and pain down my leg. this procedure works better for those who suffer more with leg pain.

well 3 weeks post op and i don't know. i still have bad back pain - much the same as i had before. i didn't think there was enough emphasis on physio and exercises for me to do - what i should or should not be doing really.
i don't have an appointment to see him untill the end of july - i'm not to go back to work untill i see him because of the job i do.
so i'm really in limbo. maybe this is normal post op pain and is to be expected but somehow i don't think so as people have said they have got immediate relief post op.
i'm a little frustrated

Spook_ie

apache, if you see my post from last august, you will see that Mr O'Neill actually said to my OH that she would not be pain free until week four due to the nerve having been so badly compressed, I know that some people say that got instant relief but my OH didnt and in fact I remember her sobbing because she was in so much pain, but true to his word, when she went back for her post op checkup she was 95% pain free. I am slightly surprised at such a long gap that you are having from your surgery 3 weeks ago and checkup not till the end of July, maybe you could bring the appointment forward ?

As regards physio, my OH had none other than been shown how to get from the lying down position to sitting up as this is very important to do for the rest of your life following back surgery. At her post op checkup she was told there were no specific exercises but she was told he wanted her to swim twice a week forever !

apache

thanks for the reply spook. i wasn't sure if this thread was still active or not.

the pressed nerves i saw in one research site were likened to a table being on a carpet for a long time and when you take away the table sometimes the carpet springs back and sometimes it dosen't.

its 3 weeks today since i got it done so you have given me some hope there. i am also a smoker which dosen't help matters at all. the bone will be very slow to heal because of lack of oxygen.

how long did your oh wait until she had her follow up appointment? i agree - i think waiting til the 25th july is crazy and no follow up mri? how is he meant to see how its doing?
i think it is so long for me because of the job i do and it wouldn't be safe for me to go back any earlier than 2 months anyway - its em quite physical to say the least :P

i ran out of my pain meds and have had nothing over the weekend and have been miserable. i haven't slept in 3 days. this morning however i don't feel as bad and am due to visit my gp this morning for work cert and prescription so maybe i will give it time and see.

how is your oh now? is she comfortable and doing well?

ya i know the log roll and i got a book with little exercises - just stretches really - but i think i should be out walking at this stage every day as research shows those that get active as soon as possible have the best results.
I was thinking of stuff like advising me about the best position to sleep in etc. Stuff i didn't think about until i came home. I have learned a lot from the internet but i think stuff like this should have been discussed with me.

Spook_ie

Hi Apache, the analogy of the table being on the carpet is a good one - Mr O'Neill said to my OH that often the nerve is more irritated after being released and can take weeks to settle, so hang in there, OH noticed the most improvement between week 3 and 4, so you are entering that time frame now. Her post op checks were at week 4 and follow up MRI on week 12. I think it would be fair to describe her recovery at 95%, some times if she sits for a long period ie at the cinema, she gets the odd twinge but compared to what life was like before, its a huge improvement, so much so, that we are actually able to contemplate a trip to Florida next year, imagine 9 hours on a plane ! we certainly would not have been able to do that over the last few years !

Obviously I am no expert, but 25th July seems a long way off, and to be honest, if by the end of week 4 you are still in alot of pain my OH says you really should ring up and bring your appointment forward. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you that this is the week relief arrives !!!!

apache

the pain was horrific after that post
when i am resting its not so bad.
i went to the gp this morning and he said also i should bring my appointment closer. i rang up and mr rawluk is booked up till august! unbelievable - that is why my appointment was not til july. i got a cancellation for 20 june which is when i think about it is only 9 days away.
it was rough walking to the drs, qing for 3 hours and walking home. thankfully i got the meds - good stuff. and took them about 3pm and had to crawl to the toilet there just 5 mins ago. i feel something is very wrong. i used to have sciatic pain down my left leg to the inside of my knee and wasn't too bad - now its three times worse and goes all the way down to my foot and i feel i have a knife stuck in my back. all this with heavy meds!
i am trying to be positive but i feel the signs are not good

thanks so much spook for the rooting. its nice to talk to people who understand. i hate moaning and i feel i am.
i am delighted though for your better half
is she med free?

Spook_ie

Goodness apache, that doesnt sound good about the pain, although I'm delighted you have managed to get your appointment brought forward. OH had her back surgery in the mater private and had her knees replaced in the Hermitage - its great that its only 9 days away, but OH says dont forget that the Hermitage have their own A&E department, now you will be liable for 120 euros for walking through the door but you will be able to access emergency consultant care if things get much worse for you.

OH rarely takes anything for her back now, the odd time she might need a day or two on Arcoxia and tylex but its rare thank god.

Let us know how you get on and no, you're not moaning, the pain from a nerve can be excruciating .......

apache

thanks again spook.

had my appointment on wednesday morning with consultant. i would have thought follow up appointments were free. but no charged me e150! when i got my eyes lasered all follow up appointments were free.

anyway he told me everybody is different and he did have people coming back to him in my position with a lot of pain. he told me to keep taking the heavy doses of medication and to cancel my appointment in july and make one for september and if i'm better before that i can cancel it. also to stay out of work for another few months!

i could stretch and do the exercises ok so he said he didn't think there was a problem. but i told him that was because of the painkillers. if i wasn't on them i would be in bits. he said still nothing mechanically wrong as i would not have been able to do the stretches if there was. so fair enough point i guess.
he said my whole structure was off kilter because of the operation and it was going to take time to realign itself properly like a cog slipping out of a wheel.

i didn't ask him everything i wanted and was disappointed by his response. but while up at my gps today collecting my meds he told me his brother in law got the exact same operation as me the same week and is still in bits. he did agree though that i was on strong meds so that is why i am walking around. so he gave me some hope. maybe it will just take time before i am pain free.

its really nice to talk to people who understand it and their experiences. anybody else?

daltonmd

apache wrote: »

its really nice to talk to people who understand it and their experiences. anybody else?

Hi Apache - your experience sounds exactly like mine. First I want to say to you that my heart absolutely goes out to you. Unless you have been through THAT pain then you can never truly understand - it is worse than childbirth and I never ever thought I'd say that.

I had an accident a few years ago that left me with a back problem - discs. In February 2010, I had a herniation, due to my (youngish) age they were reluctant to operate until the pain was so bad and I could not walk, they really had no choice.

Had the op in August. At first it was a resounding success, pain free, med free and quality of life back. I did my physio, completed a 12 week pilate course and returned to work.

I lasted a couple of months - and started to have problems again.

In February 2011, after weeks of pain I had a second herniation, this one was much was much worse than the first, 3 times the size and I lost bladder/bowel control to boot - I had been told that should this happen (cauda equine syndrome) then I need to get myself into the hospital asap - which I did and was taken straight down for emergency surgery.

Came around from the surgery and like you - things just didn't feel right. Released after a week and within a few days THAT pain started again and I couldn't stand for more than 15 seconds without having to get the weight off my left leg. I started to self medicate, foregoing food and lost over 30 lbs in a matter of weeks, family begged me to see surgery again, looking back I should have gone earlier - but like you I figured I have had the op and maybe it just takes time.

Went back to see surgeon who admitted me straight away, he was shocked at the weight loss.

And I realise now that no amount of meds, no matter what they are gets rid of THAT pain.

So, after they took me back in they did an MRI and he couldn't distinguish whether the problem was scar tissue or whether it was the disc again - he had a meeting with his colleugues and they decided to give me a steroid injection into the spine, as he thought it was the nerve.

Now his explanation to me was this, because the disc was on the nerve for so long, the nerve acts like a sponge and retains that memory - he reckoned that the injection would "wipe" the memory and it would heal.I was told if it didn't work within 10 days, then it hasn't worked.

I knew immediately that it didn't work but went home anyway - it was a very painful procedure. After a couple of weeks I was again in agony and they took me back in for a second one - this time it worked although it was more painful.
Immediately after the procedure my left leg had a mind of it's own, I wanted to walk one way and it wanted to go the other lol. That's how we knew it worked.

It was in July that I left my house for the first time (not to a hospital or to the doctors) pain free in over 7 months - I did not have a pain free day in that time. It is soul destroying and completely wears you down.

I still have back problems, I suffer from very bad cramps in the leg, it's always at the cusp of a cramp so I can no longer drive Am hoping to get an automatic car shortly.

If I overdo things I am on the floor in agony, the disc is completely gone and I can opt for a fusion down the line (not in the right head space for it now) - it's manageable - but every few weeks I have to get the cocktail of drugs from the doc to settle it down - as painful as it can be now - it hasn't a patch on what I went through.

Hope you're feeling a bit better.

jdee99

@Daltonmd

If it helps I had a three level fusion don least August - L3 - S1 with bone graft from my hip and insertion of rods etc. Got to be honest it has taken away all the back pain but still suffer with leg pain etc but it has truly been worth all of the struggles since. vastly restricted movement in my lower spine but would recommend having it done. Sadly looking at a fusion in my neck shortly - such is life lol

Chuck Stone

A couple of years ago I was crippled with back pain, got an MRI and it was a herniated disc aggravating the sciatic nerve - spirit crushing pain in the leg and buttock. I was in bed for 6 weeks and had to lie down in the car and be driven to appointments - 6 weeks of horror on solpadol and (Jesus I hate that stuff).

I was scheduled to see a specialist to talk about surgery but somehow it just cleared up of its own accord - the specialist was, frankly, astonished.

Reading this thread makes me feel inordinately lucky.

daltonmd

jdee99 wrote: »

@Daltonmd

If it helps I had a three level fusion don least August - L3 - S1 with bone graft from my hip and insertion of rods etc. Got to be honest it has taken away all the back pain but still suffer with leg pain etc but it has truly been worth all of the struggles since. vastly restricted movement in my lower spine but would recommend having it done. Sadly looking at a fusion in my neck shortly - such is life lol

Thanks jdee, I had no idea a fusion was as described? I thought they just join the bone together? I have good days and bad days, mornings are the worse, very restricted movement in the lower spine - have become adapt at rolling myself out of the bed - can no longer sit up and get up...

The worst?

Sneezing. (Even typing it makes me cringe!!)

When are you having the neck fusion?

jdee99

LOL I can relate to sneezing pain not pleasant! I can also relate to not sitting in bed haven't done that in years seeing me get in and out of bed is not a pretty sight (in more ways then one). Fusion can be done in different ways through the front or through the back but it has genuinely made a huge difference to my life. I have DDD throughout the whole of my spine and do not have a single normal disc now - had back problems for 40 years but this has helped me.

Recovery for the fusion was fairly quick - up and about next day albeit on crutches off pain meds within two weeks and gardening within three months (if the consultant knew that I was rotavating the garden he would have gone ballistic). There is hope mate so don't give up.

Seeing the consultant next week to find out about the neck problems and will hopefully get a date for that to be done as well.

daltonmd

jdee99 wrote: »

LOL I can relate to sneezing pain not pleasant! I can also relate to not sitting in bed haven't done that in years seeing me get in and out of bed is not a pretty sight (in more ways then one). Fusion can be done in different ways through the front or through the back but it has genuinely made a huge difference to my life. I have DDD throughout the whole of my spine and do not have a single normal disc now - had back problems for 40 years but this has helped me.

Recovery for the fusion was fairly quick - up and about next day albeit on crutches off pain meds within two weeks and gardening within three months (if the consultant knew that I was rotavating the garden he would have gone ballistic). There is hope mate so don't give up.

Seeing the consultant next week to find out about the neck problems and will hopefully get a date for that to be done as well.

You know, all the "advice" they give you on what to do and not do is fine if you are a millionaire who employs several people to run your home!!

Good luck with the consultant - I'm still undecided about the fusion but I'll certainly think about it some more. Thanks.

apache

I think more emphasis should be placed on the dangers of addictive drugs. 2 months post surgery now and came off the painkillers at the weekend (heavy opiods).
its like a cold turkey i've been having the past few days. Diarrohoea, sweating, chills, fever, pain in legs, apathy, irritability and depression. Haven't slept since i stopped. Exhausted!
I know i should have weaned myself off instead of suddenly stopping. I just wanted to get it over and done with.

daltonmd

apache wrote: »

I think more emphasis should be placed on the dangers of addictive drugs. 2 months post surgery now and came off the painkillers at the weekend (heavy opiods).
its like a cold turkey i've been having the past few days. Diarrohoea, sweating, chills, fever, pain in legs, apathy, irritability and depression. Haven't slept since i stopped. Exhausted!
I know i should have weaned myself off instead of suddenly stopping. I just wanted to get it over and done with.

Remember that well, you need to make sure you're eating well, plenty of fruit - I did the same thing and ended up with a very bad dose. My immune system shot to pieces after the drugs.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

apache

Thanks dalton. Do you know how long roughly it lasts?

daltonmd

apache wrote: »

Thanks dalton. Do you know how long roughly it lasts?

About another week, longer if you get a dose. I, like you, did not wean myself off them, I was on some heavy duty stuff and personally I had enough of the cloudy head from taking the drugs.

Wrap yourself up warm, stay in, buckle down, eat fruit and veg and build yourself up. Try a Lemsip before going to bed, one of the strong ones, I found them great.

If you can't sleep - get up out of the bed, get a glass of milk, watch TV (I found myself dozing for a couple of hours) take any kip you can at whatever time.

If you feel up to it in a few days get out for a walk, get some fresh air. You'll be fine.

Or post on the boards lol!!

apache

Cheers for that. Doing most of that already. Tried the lemsip last night. Don't know if its because of that or that i'm over the hump but slept for 7 hours last night. Delighted! Feeling much better today after 5 days of misery.
Ventered out today for a walk. Going to tackle the housework today.
And the best thing is i'm not popping pills anymore and very little pain and getting back to my old self.
Best to go smack cold turkey and the worst is over in 5 days.
Result!!!!!!!!!
i'm delighted now i did go for the op. I was very dubious about the results. It took me 2 months to get over it but i suppose everybody is different.
Planning now to go back to work in 3 or 4 weeks. Its like a fresh start.....

daltonmd

apache wrote: »

Cheers for that. Doing most of that already. Tried the lemsip last night. Don't know if its because of that or that i'm over the hump but slept for 7 hours last night. Delighted! Feeling much better today after 5 days of misery.
Ventered out today for a walk. Going to tackle the housework today.
And the best thing is i'm not popping pills anymore and very little pain and getting back to my old self.
Best to go smack cold turkey and the worst is over in 5 days.
Result!!!!!!!!!
i'm delighted now i did go for the op. I was very dubious about the results. It took me 2 months to get over it but i suppose everybody is different.
Planning now to go back to work in 3 or 4 weeks. Its like a fresh start.....

Good old lemsips lol. Isn't sleep a marvel!! I am thrilled that you're up and about, it makes you appreciate like a bit more. I'll certainly consider the fusion now, one good thing is that its optional and I won't need another emergency op, very traumatic.

Hope the recoery continues.!!

apache

Unfortunately i'm back to square one. The disc higher up than the one i got operated on before has ruptered very badly. Sick of the pain and consultant telling me it will take time. So got another mri with dye injected last week and sent him results this week. Hes booked up til october but squeezed me in for an emergency appointment monday morning. Hes some dope! Still off work. Will be having words. I know my own body. Not getting fobbed off! Wonder what he will have to say for himself.....
He must have x ray specs to see what is going on in my body! I decided on the mri myself. Thank god i did because these fools just take e200 every time they see you for 5 mins. What is up with that? Still off work and broke and back to the start with a severe prolapsed disc. Like you don't have to be a rocket science to suggest a follow up scan. So ****ing mad. No better woman than me to rip into him on monday. Its allright for him treating us as statistics but we are people who need to pay our mortgage and bills and put food on the table.
Hes a bit scared of me anyway as i had a few rows with him already. Hate this god complex. I think he appreciates it when you bring him back to earth.

Spook_ie

OMG apache.......I am speechless, as you know my OH's experience was great with her neurosurgeon. I was just telling her about your post and she is totally shocked by the care you are receiving or not is probably more appropriate ! We cannot believe that a follow up MRI was not done and you certainly are justified in giving him an earful on Monday. All we can say is good luck on Monday and let us know how you get on.

chattycatty

apache wrote: »

Unfortunately i'm back to square one. The disc higher up than the one i got operated on before has ruptered very badly. Sick of the pain and consultant telling me it will take time. So got another mri with dye injected last week and sent him results this week. Hes booked up til october but squeezed me in for an emergency appointment monday morning. Hes some dope! Still off work. Will be having words. I know my own body. Not getting fobbed off! Wonder what he will have to say for himself.....
He must have x ray specs to see what is going on in my body! I decided on the mri myself. Thank god i did because these fools just take e200 every time they see you for 5 mins. What is up with that? Still off work and broke and back to the start with a severe prolapsed disc. Like you don't have to be a rocket science to suggest a follow up scan. So ****ing mad. No better woman than me to rip into him on monday. Its allright for him treating us as statistics but we are people who need to pay our mortgage and bills and put food on the table.
Hes a bit scared of me anyway as i had a few rows with him already. Hate this god complex. I think he appreciates it when you bring him back to earth.

I would like to know which hospital this is in that the surgeon works from

apache

Spook_ie wrote: »

OMG apache.......I am speechless, as you know my OH's experience was great with her neurosurgeon. I was just telling her about your post and she is totally shocked by the care you are receiving or not is probably more appropriate ! We cannot believe that a follow up MRI was not done and you certainly are justified in giving him an earful on Monday. All we can say is good luck on Monday and let us know how you get on.

hi spook and cheers. i do think its great your partners experience was positive. this is the update - it didn't turn out as planned - i'll try and make it short
monday morning i went for my appointment. before he looked at my latest mri he said he was very worried at the results he had gotten from the radiographer (the written report as i still had the cd rom and he hadn't viewed it). i gave out about not having a follow up mri or proper physio. he dosen't do it. end of story. some do - some don't. i got so annoyed with him. i then calmed down because theres no point and i started to feel a bit guilty because i know i can go off on one.

he put the cd rom into his laptop. it broke his laptop. lol the inside of his laptop disc broke! so off he went to secretarys office to view it while she huffed and puffed :rolleyes: he called me in. he said the radiographers report was wrong and showed me the scans up close. i don't have another slipped disc. he is writing a complaint to the clinic who done my mri. he says its my spine that is pressing on the nerve - the bone not the disc? he says i need a spinal fusion so in 2 weeks time i have an appointment with his colleague who specialises in that so i will have to wait and see what he says.

so i don't have another slipped disc. i walk with a limp and have pain all down my left buttocks and leg BUT i don't have any back pain in the past few weeks. he says a spinal fusion will sort me? dunno he said himself he just deals with slipped discs so will see what happens at my next appointment. oh and its a mr o'brien i am seeing next. can't remember his first name. oh off to google him now.
just did - david o'brien consultant neurosurgeon. so the same as danny rawluk (my last one) just different speciality?

apache

chattycatty wrote: »

I would like to know which hospital this is in that the surgeon works from

i already explained that in an earlier post. hes very well known and top in his game.
theres not that many pages in this thread - prob page 2 or something.

jdee99

Your not having much luck apache! Hopefully you are actually getting a resolution to this - I feel for you. What levels are they likely to fuse? I think I read in one of your earlier posts that you smoke - I guess you already know that that is the prime reason for bone graft fusions not taking. My consultant wont do a fusion if you smoke am please I gave it up years ago now.