Sciatica.. Help!

mono1000000

Well went to see Mr Bolger today. Not the worst guy I've met. he recommended surgery and can have me in in april. I need to check that my VHI covers me in the hermitage hospital. I have problems on both side and at 2 levels, some parts worse than others. I haven't made a decision on the surgery yet as the pain comes and goes for a few months at a time. If im covered by the VHI I think I will get the surgery on one disc, the worst one and see how it goes....

Spook_ie

Glad Mono that the consultation went well - seems a long wait till April, but I suppose it will give you plenty of time to decide what you want done. With all the changes with the VHI, I would suggest that not only do you ring the VHI but also ring the accounts dept in the Hermitage just to double check your cover.

I rang Mr O'Neill on monday and saw him on wednesday, and had a new MRI done (thankfully covered by VHI) and he phoned me yesterday (cant believe it was so quick) to say I have herniated again at the same level L4/L5 but on the opposite side. He has offered me surgery on the 11th Feb, I have to ring the secretary on monday to confirm everything but the pain is constant and I have pins and needles in my foot, so I think I'm going to go ahead with it.

mono1000000

Spook_ie wrote: »

Glad Mono that the consultation went well - seems a long wait till April, but I suppose it will give you plenty of time to decide what you want done. With all the changes with the VHI, I would suggest that not only do you ring the VHI but also ring the accounts dept in the Hermitage just to double check your cover.

I rang Mr O'Neill on monday and saw him on wednesday, and had a new MRI done (thankfully covered by VHI) and he phoned me yesterday (cant believe it was so quick) to say I have herniated again at the same level L4/L5 but on the opposite side. He has offered me surgery on the 11th Feb, I have to ring the secretary on monday to confirm everything but the pain is constant and I have pins and needles in my foot, so I think I'm going to go ahead with it.

Back to Mr O' Neill! He's getting you in quick isn't he. Are you paying for the surgery yourself or are you covered with insurance? It seems I am not covered in a private hospital for elective surgery! If your paying may I ask how much? Now have to have a re-think on what to do. Am I in enough pain to splash out the doe or can I wait?! (I got a date for a public appointment in beaumount for july..........2014)!! CRAZZY isn't it! anyway pain free for a week or 2 now, just the odd twinge.
lets see how it goes...............

Spook_ie

Gosh Mono, I am really surprised that you are not at least partially covered by your VHI ??? I am also with the VHI and am fully covered for a semi private room in the Mater Private for surgery. I thought the way things worked was that ALL Private hospitals take all levels of VHI but that there are various grades of 'shortfalls' that have to be paid for by the Patient ???

Another thing to remember is that all Neurosurgeons keep you 'in' for differing lenghts of time - my aunt has a microdisectomy done with Ciaran Bolger in the Mater private last year and she was only kept in for one night. When Mr O'Neill rang me on thursday, he said I will be admitted on the Sunday, surgery early Monday morning and then be discharged on the Wednesday ie 3 nights or thursday at the latest. So apart from double checking re your VHI status, I would ring back your surgeons secretary and ask how long he keeps patients in for.

The decision is easy for me to take the surgery, as I am now in constant pain 24/7 and have also started having pins and needles in my foot which is freaking me out a bit. After a stay in hospital the VHI normally send you a settlement statement within a week or two, so I should have mine by the end of February, so if you like, I can tell you then what the VHI paid for my stay.

Slugger10

I had a microsurgery with O' Neill about 2 years ago in the Beacon. Think the cosy was about €19,000. From memory the op was 2.5k, the anastheticist and other sundry techical procedures (x- rays, prepping etc about another 1.5 k and the rest to the hospital for 3 days ! O'Neill is gruff but an excellent neurosurgeon. Took me a week from consultation/diagnosis to hospital admission. First thing O'Neills secreratary does is check your medical insurance before proceeding ! Worth calling them yourself too to see which hospitals are covered and for what. I was initally told I was covered for 100% of the medical procedure and 90% of the hospital stay. However on booking in to the hospital, I found my plan covered 100% of the stay . Quite shocked really at the hospital cost. Even paying 10% myself would have been substantial

Spook_ie

dear god Slugger....19k ?!!!!! this will be my second surgery with Paraic O'Neill in the Mater Private, last one was in June 2009 and just dug out my VHI claim settlement form from then and the total paid for everything came to 6,605.14 (I was 100% covered - 3 nights in a semi private room) so even allowing for inflation etc, I can't imagine the total bill for next weeks surgery will come to more than 8 or 9k, so cant understand why your bill would be 19k................

Slugger10

I'll have a root around and see if I still have (the bill) Spook. If it is right I'll need to change to the VHI or the Mater !! Or both.

Spook_ie

Slugger10 wrote: »

I'll have a root around and see if I still have (the bill) Spook. If it is right I'll need to change to the VHI or the Mater !! Or both.

LOL !!!! I should have my latest VHI settlement statement in 2/3 weeks slugger, so I'll let you all know what it was. It is awful that people are being left in so much pain while waiting for a Public Appointment, we have had to cut alot of corners in our house but keeping our VHI was imperative because we have ongoing medical conditions

Slugger10

For sure spook. I'm unemployed, no state medical card and pay for private insurance from my savings. Costs me €350 a month for 4 of us, (2+2) but have to have it, because like yourselves have ongoing medical conditions. I'll probably drop my son and daughter this year as the cash flow diminshes.
Don't get me going on our 2 tier health system. People are dying as a consequence of our "cheque book opens doors" health system.

Good luck with your op next week !

Spook_ie

Slugger10 wrote: »

For sure spook. I'm unemployed, no state medical card and pay for private insurance from my savings. Costs me €350 a month for 4 of us, (2+2) but have to have it, because like yourselves have ongoing medical conditions. I'll probably drop my son and daughter this year as the cash flow diminshes.
Don't get me going on our 2 tier health system. People are dying as a consequence of our "cheque book opens doors" health system.

Good luck with your op next week !

Thanks slugger. Thankfully we do have a salary coming in, albeit, reduced, and the only thing that is keeping our heads above water, is that we are in the last 3 years of our mortgage so our monthly payments are not too bad but one of our kids is a Coeliac so obviously his food is expensive. I wont get you started on our 2 tier health system !!!!! but it does exist.......anyway, I'll let you know the story in a few weeks.

apache

Best of luck Spook. Am rooting for you.

Spook_ie

Thanks Apache, cant believe that I/OH were watching your thread and little did I know that in the space of a 5/6 weeks I would be back to square one ! I'm downstairs at the mo cos the pain is so bad and have mega pins and needles in my left foot, anyway, roll on Sunday ! Hope you are continuing to do well....any news of going back to work ??

apache

That really sucks Spook. I was very sorry to hear of your relapse. Don't give up hope. Hopefully this will be THE one.

I have meeting on Monday and all going to plan I hope to get signed on back fit for duty next saturday. So this day week.

Spook_ie

apache wrote: »

That really sucks Spook. I was very sorry to hear of your relapse. Don't give up hope. Hopefully this will be THE one.

I have meeting on Monday and all going to plan I hope to get signed on back fit for duty next saturday. So this day week.

Wow ! thats great news, fingers crossed then that the meeting will go well. Have to be in hospital by 3pm, so getting all my bits ready now !

apache

Thanks.

Best of luck. Really hope everything works out for you. Try and get a good sleep tonight - i know easier said than done.

oh and ear plugs are your friends private room or not.

the culture of deference

We lost an uncle who was mis diagnosed with sciatica for months, doctor had him going to the physio, he still wasn't feeling well so he insisted on a 2nd opinion, but it turned out it was stomach cancer, and killed him within 3 weeks.

Spook_ie

apache wrote: »

Thanks.

Best of luck. Really hope everything works out for you. Try and get a good sleep tonight - i know easier said than done.

oh and ear plugs are your friends private room or not.

Hi Apache/mono. I am now 2 weeks post op, and boy have they been tough. Day one was a doddle, felt great, obviously I still had pain, but the first thing that I noticed was that the pins and needles and numbness was 90% gone, wahoo I thought, dear god, I woke up on the Tuesday morning and wham ! the pain was horrific, the physio came and tried to get me out of bed and I just burst into tears with the pain. I have been through this procedure before so I knew it was a case of things can be worse before they get better. To be fair the doc came up and explained that the passageway was so tight because I had a cyst on one side and the herniated disc on the other side and to expect nasty pain for approx 2 weeks, well he was right, things over the last few days have been much much better and I have no numbness or pins and needles now. Only disappointing news was that the doc said if my symptoms return the best course of action is a fusion and all I could think of was poor 'ol Apaches wind problem which gave me a laugh !!!!

I know Mono you were interested in the financial side of things, the VHI settlement form has just arrived so I'll PM you with the breakdown.

apache

Ha ha spook glad it made you laugh
Jaysus you just made me remember the whole horrific experience.

I'm glad you are out the other side and my heart goes out to you re the pain. Its an awful ugly dirty pain - thats the only way I can describe it. Are you on much pain meds and more to the case are they working for you? Hope you are getting intermittent relief at least.

Try and concentrate on this healing process and don't be thinking "what if this dosen't work?". Hopefully this will be THE ONE!
The bloody physios are terrible dragging people out of bed a day or two post op. Lol I know they are only doing their job but it just seems impossible dosen't it?
The daggers I threw at them. They probably thought "oh no this woman is trouble" but I'm sure they are well used to it. If they got a better handle on the pain relief it wouldn't be as bad but everybodies chemical make up and tolerance levels are different so its trial and error.
Keep us updated on your progress and get a bell so you can dingaling the OH

Spook_ie

apache wrote: »

Ha ha spook glad it made you laugh
Jaysus you just made me remember the whole horrific experience.

I'm glad you are out the other side and my heart goes out to you re the pain. Its an awful ugly dirty pain - thats the only way I can describe it. Are you on much pain meds and more to the case are they working for you? Hope you are getting intermittent relief at least.

Try and concentrate on this healing process and don't be thinking "what if this dosen't work?". Hopefully this will be THE ONE!
The bloody physios are terrible dragging people out of bed a day or two post op. Lol I know they are only doing their job but it just seems impossible dosen't it?
The daggers I threw at them. They probably thought "oh no this woman is trouble" but I'm sure they are well used to it. If they got a better handle on the pain relief it wouldn't be as bad but everybodies chemical make up and tolerance levels are different so its trial and error.
Keep us updated on your progress and get a bell so you can dingaling the OH

I have Zydol and Tylex, but they dont take the pain away as such, just gives you a dozy feeling, but the pain is definately easing, I'm just so glad that I can now feel my left foot !!!! the pain is somewhere between a cattle prod and the peak of a labour contraction !!!!! but I'm definately going in the right direction. OH funnily is complaining of backache and claims he is coming out in sympathy with me !!!!! kids are telling him to man up !!!

I see you're back at work, thats great news !

bagels

apache wrote: »

......Its an awful ugly dirty pain - thats the only way I can describe it......

My back trouble began in '94.
Spread to left leg & toes, left arm, and to shoulder neck face & head.
Had microdiscectomy twice and CT guided nerve block four times.
Conditioned worsened and haven't been able to work since '02.
Depression got a hold of me and life has been a bitch.
I think I've gotten control of the depression now and life is bearably again.
I still have a long way to go but I'm getting there.
Currently take Zydol, Neurontin, Zanaflex and Mobic for pain and Cymbalta for pain/depression.

Your description of the pain is the most accurate I've come across.
I myself describe it as a malevolent pain whose intent is to hurt as much as possible while doing its utmost to make life a misery, leaving me helpless and wallowing in despair. A nasty bad yoke.
Its gotten the best of me for years but I won't give in to it, not any more.
There's a lot to be said for 'don't let the bastard get you down'.
Anyway, get well soon, all of you.

suitseir

Just picked up on these posts as I am suffering from sciatica in my left leg. This is going back to a back problem which flares up now and again but this is the first time that it has affected the nerve. I was getting up from the table, turned around to pick up a book from the table and I could feel the drag in my back instantly. While I took Neorfen and had the heat pac on, while that went away, the uncomfortable feeling down my left leg is so irritating. Driving was a nightmare. i went to the doctor and got a diffene injection and he put me on Keral, 2 a day but I didn't find those tabs effective. Just had my first physio and got some relief but I am sure it will take a while.

Any recommendations for some sort of support for driving? Also can any other sufferer recommend more effective medication for nerve pain? Am walking every day, as I usually do anyway, and find that a great relief.

mono1000000

suitseir wrote: »

Just picked up on these posts as I am suffering from sciatica in my left leg. This is going back to a back problem which flares up now and again but this is the first time that it has affected the nerve. I was getting up from the table, turned around to pick up a book from the table and I could feel the drag in my back instantly. While I took Neorfen and had the heat pac on, while that went away, the uncomfortable feeling down my left leg is so irritating. Driving was a nightmare. i went to the doctor and got a diffene injection and he put me on Keral, 2 a day but I didn't find those tabs effective. Just had my first physio and got some relief but I am sure it will take a while.

Any recommendations for some sort of support for driving? Also can any other sufferer recommend more effective medication for nerve pain? Am walking every day, as I usually do anyway, and find that a great relief.

I use zydol or ixprim, they work fine for me, I also found chiropractic adjustment work great.

livemusic4life

Same for me suitseir

Those meds aren't going to touch the pain. Trust me, 3 years and counting. First step is mri. Don't leave it. Proper pain pills because when it goes to full flare up, and you want to pull the end of your spine out with your bare hands. Surgery wasn't an option for me, so i went down the pain management route. Had radio denervation done - nerves fried. Best thing ever. 13 months and barely an ache. Sciatic pain can come from different causes. Mine was sacroiliac dysfunction, some have it from slipped discs at L5/S1.

blade1

I rub St. John's Wort Oil into by lower back and there is an instant relieve.
I can feel a bit of pressure or something down my leg.
Ye know that shock you get right through you when you move?
It definitely helps with that.

Deep Thought

Have had it for a few years...

Went to Physio, Chiros...nothing

Best decision was to go and have acupuncture.

Did more for me in 3 weeks than 12 weeks of physio and Chiro

Do exercises, knee to chin and use Tiger Balm when its a bit sore.

DT

polaf

I actually was suffering from July to October with a tight piriformis which caused major sciatica issues. My biggest issue was standing from a sitting position without excruciating pain, or being able to fully extend my right leg flat out in front of me when seated. In October I had enough and went to see my Dr. He sent me to a physiotherapist and I started my own treatment regimen as well. First off, cold therapy will reduce inflammation and swelling and give you some pain relief. You should supplement the healing process with exercises and stretches in order to stimulate blood flow frequently. A standard part of that therapy would be to stimulate blood flow, because the more we promote blood flow, the faster we will heal. And even after healing, you should keep it up as to prevent further injury. Your body continues to heal itself long after the pain has disappeared. It is very common for the full healing process to continue for 2 years or longer, even for rather minor injuries. Physiotherapy consisted of stretching exercises (both done by myself and manually by the physiotherapist). After each session they applied cold (to decrease inflammation caused from working the area during the physio session) followed by some form of therapy (electric currant; laser; ultrasound etc., basically to stimulate the blood flow) At home I would follow my regular treatment regimen of King Brand's BFST and ColdCure as well. My physiotherapist was amazed at how quickly my condition improved since typically, sessions are usually 3 times per week for 6 weeks or more. It was probably more due to the fact that I didn't have to wait for my physio appointments in order to keep my blood flow stimulated. I was able to continue, not only my stretching exercises, but was also able to use my products at home in between sessions. When first starting physio, I could not lift my right leg to even a 45 degree angle (while laying flat on my back). Within the 5 weeks (only 8 physio treatments) my leg could be extended way past a 90 degree angle. I now have full range of motion and absolutely no pain whatsoever.