NHS Cut Backs - Back injury- disc

[doog]

Listen to this tale of woe:

3 years ago I suffered a prolapsed disc in my back L5/S1 that kept me off the bike for 6 months and never really healed despite physio etc. 6 weeks ago BANG same disc but a lot worse, couldn't walk, sleep, drive and have been off work for 6 weeks.

GP is not the slightest bit interested other than upping the painkillers. I really couldnt understand his attitude of not referring me to a consultant whereas last time it was GP / consultant / epidural / MRI scan and physio.

The reason is this . Apparently GP's are being told NOT to refer disc injuries for several months (unless you are obviously in a seriously bad way). I had to pay for the MRI scan

which shows a massive extrusion 10mm compressing my nerve.

Showed the results to my GP and he wasnt happy. Going behind his back and paying for my own MRI scan tut tut. Would he like a copy of the disc - no way, he could just about look at the report.

What a shambles, How do I get my scan onto my medical records? What happens next? Do i ask for a second opinion. Ive gone from cycling hundreds of miles a month (did Spain to the UK in June) to being a cripple.

Very very frustrated.

 

[montage]

Your GP sounds like an arse....get a new one? The keenest seem to be either those who are new GPs, or those who are close to retirement and so just don't care about keeping a good reputation with the NHS, therefore dish out refferals left right and centre

 

[lulubel]

I can't answer the question about getting your scan on your medical records, however ....

My father had severe back pain that came and went over a period of nearly 20 years. About 10 years ago, he was eventually diagnosed (after paying to see a chiropractor) with a prolapsed disc. Apart from regular chiropractic sessions, he was also advised by the chiropractor to take up swimming. He stopped seeing the chiropractor after a few months, but continues to swim at least 3 times a week. He's now in his early 60s, and doesn't have any problems with his back at all.

Swimming is the only exercise he does, though, so I don't know if cycling puts additional strain on the part of the back you're having problems with. If you're prepared/able to pay for treatment, I'd really recommend seeing a good chiropractor. It could save a lot of time and pain.

 

[doog]

Your GP sounds like an arse....get a new one? The keenest seem to be either those who are new GPs, or those who are close to retirement and so just don't care about keeping a good reputation with the NHS, therefore dish out refferals left right and centre

my last GP recently retired, so there may be substance in your post. He referred me straight away, my new one is clearly towing the party line, in other words dose them up (at their expense), let them suffer in the hope that the injury will settle down in due course. I appreciate that some disc injuries do settle down but bearing in mind my history I really do need to see someone who actually knows what they are talking about.

 

[vickster]

Have you actually been discharged by the hospital that treated you before - phone the consultant's secretary and see what s/he says?

I slipped a disc (L3/4) when 20, had very bad sciatica, saw a Consultant, was in hospital and having a big op 3-4 weeks later (would have been quicker but was just before Xmas) - no keyhole in those days - I have a 6 inch scar!

Could you pay to see a physio/chiro privately - £40-50 a time? Even if referred, you could wait several months to see a specialist, while good physio or chiro could have you sorted by then?

Oh and ask to see a different GP (try a woman )

Good luck

 

[doog]

Have you actually been discharged by the hospital that treated you before - phone the consultant's secretary and see what s/he says?

I slipped a disc (L3/4) when 20, had very bad sciatica, saw a Consultant, was in hospital and having a big op 3-4 weeks later (would have been quicker but was just before Xmas) - no keyhole in those days - I have a 6 inch scar!

Could you pay to see a physio/chiro privately - £40-50 a time? Even if referred, you could wait several months to see a specialist, while good physio or chiro could have you sorted by then?

Oh and ask to see a different GP (try a woman )

Good luck

very good point about being discharged..I will call his secretary on Monday. I am having physio paid for through my work but bloody hell some of these people dont know what they are doing.

For example she (my physio) reads my MRI report and says ' you have a bulging disc' , I politely say 'it says an extrusion'.( The difference is that the stuff within the disc as you know, in my case has escaped rather than just being contained as in a bulge.) She wouldnt have it.


I have been told to do the Mackenzie stretch every hour for the next week

now I dont know if this is correct or not, needless to say my back is now worse than ever .

 

[vickster]

Where do you live? Someone may be able to recommend a decent physio

I didn't do a lot of PT with my back - was a long time ago, but I do remember lying on my back on the floor and pulling knees towards chest and also lying again and turning knees across while trying to keep back flat (sorry for the not very technical descriptions )

Do you have private HC then? If so, why can't your GP refer you for a private ortho consult?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Where do you live? Someone may be able to recommend a decent physio

I didn't do a lot of PT with my back - was a long time ago, but I do remember lying on my back on the floor and pulling knees towards chest and also lying again and turning knees across while trying to keep back flat (sorry for the not very technical descriptions )

Do you have private HC then? If so, why can't your GP refer you for a private ortho consult?

They sounds very much like the exercises the ex-wife was give to do.

 

[doog]

Where do you live? Someone may be able to recommend a decent physio

I didn't do a lot of PT with my back - was a long time ago, but I do remember lying on my back on the floor and pulling knees towards chest and also lying again and turning knees across while trying to keep back flat (sorry for the not very technical descriptions )

Do you have private HC then? If so, why can't your GP refer you for a private ortho consult?

I work for the emergency services, they are paying for 4 treatments of physio but are pressing me to pursue the NHS route (for obvious reasons = ££££££ ) .

 

[vickster]

Will they pay for your choice of physio? You may be better off with a chiro as others have suggested?
​

 

[Saluki]

I put my back out very badly in 2000. I was off work for 2 years with it. I was in agony and an arsey husband (ex) didn't help much. NHS physio every week for 18 months and I was in as bad a state as ever. I decided to see a chiropractor, who was just around the corner which was handy, and I was getting mobile within 4 treatments. Back in the pool in 6 treatments and back on my bike by 10 treatments (about 6 weeks all told). I then continued to see her monthly for a couple of years after.

I heartily recommend a chiropractor, they are worth their weight in gold and certainly worth the money spent. Mine has moved to Cornwall now but she was in N. Staffs. I have the details of a great chiro in the Stoke area if you are nearby.

 

[doog]

Will they pay for your choice of physio? You may be better off with a chiro as others have suggested?
​

I dont have a choice im afraid. Im no expert but over the last 3 years Ive done some research. My problem is that the contents of the disc have burst out and are pressing on the nerve in my spine. Nothing in the world will physically get it back unless it shrinks so I fail to see what a chiro could do. The point of the physio is to build core strength and the idea of the mackenzie technique is to pull the spillage away from the nerve.

 

[ttcycle]

I really hope you get the treatment you need to get your back sorted. I can post that the copy if your scan is not needed on your record. What the scan contains is looked at by a qualified radiologist who can read the scans properly (out of the scope of your GP) who then writes this onto your report. By protocol a copy should be sent to your GP. If it's not clear whether he has it,worth checking.

 

[Red Light]

IANAD but have worked in this area. Your GP may not be as dumb/constrained as you think. A lot of the pain from a burst disc can be chemical not physical i.e. it is chemicals released by the burst disc that causes the nerve pain, not pressure on the nerves. In that case pain killers and anti-inflammatories are what you need to control the pain. Many cases improve significantly on their own over a period of a few months so giving it some time to see whether it resolves on its own is a standard strategy with nothing to do with NHS savings. Surgery is usually the last resort when conservative treatment fails and may not be what you want no matter how attractive it seems at the moment to get rid of the pain. It may not work and could have long term implications so it needs a proper consultation with a spinal surgeon before you go down that route.

Re. lulubel's and saluki's suggestion of a chiropractor, be very wary. In the WHO chiropractic guidelines spinal manipulations for "frank disc herniation with accompanying signs of progressive neurological deficit is an absolute contraindication" i.e. do not do it and there is no good evidence that it works other than very short term (although there is no good evidence period)

Best wishes for a steady improvement. Find yourself a good physioterrorist to help and consider getting yourself a TENS unit to help control the pain while you recover.

 

[numbnuts]

It may not work and could have long term implications so it needs a proper consultation with a spinal surgeon before you go down that route.

Very good advice above ^^^

I had a laminectory in 1989 to correct a prolapsed disc, after the operation I was left with little or no control with my bladder and 20 odd years later I’m still having trouble with pain in the lower back. I know laminectory’s have improved,but think very carefully before you go down that road and ask what are the chances of becoming incontinent