Hello, I'm 47 with a severe lumbar spinal stenosis. I am.in pain 24/7 — Scope | Disability forum
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Hello, I'm 47 with a severe lumbar spinal stenosis. I am.in pain 24/7

aconz
aconz Community member Posts: 7 Listener
edited March 2021 in Disability rights and campaigning
Hi I'm aconz. I'm 47 with a severe lumbar spinal stenosis. I am.in pain 24/7 and have problems sleeping. I am on a lot of pain medication but I feel it is not doing anything. I have an urgent appointment to see the specialist at the end of April. Do you think I should ring them and see if they can fit me in any sooner? 
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Comments

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi and welcome 

    I am sorry you are in so much pain 

    You could try for earlier appointment but ni doubt they will say there isnt one.  You could ask them to contact you at short notice if there is a cancellation 
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  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,098 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @aconz - & welcome to the community. I'm sorry you're in so much pain all the time. As above, I would let them know that, if there's a cancellation, you would like to take it. In the meanwhile it might be worth talking to your GP to see if a change of medication might help. :)
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  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,652 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @aconz

    Welcome to the community, sorry to hear you aren't feeling great at the minute. There's no harm in asking for a sooner appointment I think.
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  • wilko
    wilko Community member Posts: 2,458 Disability Gamechanger
    @aconz, hello and welcome, please keep your GP and if you are able to contact the Orthopaedic department who deal with your complaint don’t delay in seeking advice. I know it water under the bridge for me when I was diagnosed with the same issues having sent to A&E for an emergency MRI and informed I would be fast tracked to see the consultant ( I was numb from the waist down little to no feeling below the waist.) the MRI was on Friday afternoon and I was talking with the consultant the following Wednesday afternoon who signed me off work but as he was on holiday for 2 weeks the next day I had to wait or if it got worst return to A&E and I would be operated on ASAP. Don’t wait till you are so bad that you need an ambulance to take you to hospital.Keep the health professionals informed of your changing conditions.
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  • aconz
    aconz Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    Thank you all for your kind words. I will phone the hospital on Monday and also my GP. The pain gets me down a lot and I sit in tears most days. I'm returning to work next week (I'm a teacher) and I don't know how I'll cope. Sorry for being so depressing but the pain is just so bad. 
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  • Lisatho11987777
    Lisatho11987777 Scope Member Posts: 5,911 Disability Gamechanger
    Me and mum have had chicken and cheese kief  sorry csnt spell it with salad  and bread and butter  and we are haveing pancakes and cream 
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  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,098 Disability Gamechanger
    Chronic pain is dreadful @aconz - I do hope you get something sorted with your Drs quickly. Just a thought, you could also ask your GP if they could refer you to a pain clinic.
    @lisathomas50 - perhaps you're replying on the wrong thread?
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  • aconz
    aconz Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    So I contacted the hospital but they said that 27th April is the soonest they can see me. My pain at night has gotten so bad that I'm only getting a tiny bit of sleep. Last night was awful that I phoned the dr this morning but was told that there was no availabliy. So I left a message for her but she didn't leave me anything. So I've another painful night ahead as I have to ring tomorrow morning again. ??
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  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,741 Disability Gamechanger
    edited April 2021
    Hello @aconz

    I'm sorry to hear you've had no luck in bringing forward the appointment.  Chronic pain is physically and emotionally wearing and I really empathise with how you must be feeling.  Unfortunately, in my experience at least, sometimes to get a GP appointment you have to ring as soon as their phone-lines open and press redial continuously to get through.  I hope you have better luck tomorrow.  And just to second @chiarieds suggestion - a referral to a pain clinic might be something good to discuss with your doctor when you do get to speak with them.

    Is there anything that eases the pain?  Any particular positions or an ice compression or hot water bottle?  Try and make tonight's sleep routine as relaxed as it can be (I know this isn't easy) and do the little things that make you more comfortable  <3

    Otherwise, the NHS 111 online website is good for accessing medical help when you're unsure what to do so maybe give that a little look at.  Plus don't hesitate to call 999 and ask for an ambulance if your condition suddenly deteriorates - it's always best to be safe.  Please let us know how you get on and I hope you manage to get some rest.   
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  • aconz
    aconz Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    Hi folks, just to let you know that I spoke with my GP yesterday and I must say he was very supportive. He prescribed me Amitriptyline which I took last night. Even though I did not get to sleep until after 2am, I slept until 10.30. I might take it a bit earlier tonight to see if I can get my sleep back to normal. 
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  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,098 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @aconz - I'm so very pleased that your GP is trying to help & is being supportive. I hope by adjusting when you take your amitriptyline you will get a good night's sleep at a better time. Thank you for updating us all. :)
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  • Caz_Alumni
    Caz_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 621 Pioneering
    Hi @aconz

    Thanks you for letting us know how you've been getting on. 

    And how are you doing today? Hope you had a decent sleep last night?

    Really good to hear that your GP has been so supportive through this. As you say though, it might take a little while for the amitriptyline to take proper effect and for you to settle into a routine that works well for you - but at least you've made a positive start so far.

    Wishing you all the best for a relaxing day today and a peaceful night tonight :)
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  • deb74
    deb74 Community member Posts: 814 Pioneering
    I have cervical spondylosis and just bought a tens machine to help with the pain. It is brilliant! it beats being drugged up on painkillers.
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  • aconz
    aconz Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    Well folks, I thought I would update you all. I was in severe pain a few weeks ago, so much so, I went to A&E. Had an emergency MRI scan that showed up further deterioration. I was transfered to our regional hospital (90 miles away) which specializes in spinal surgery. I've had the disc taken out but been left with numbness in my foot and foot drop. I can put up with these side effects of the operation rather than the severe pain I was in. Thank you for all your support and advice. I'll let you know how I get on with my follow up appointment at the start of June. x
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  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 49,796 Disability Gamechanger
    @aconz thankyou for the update and pleased you have been seen and got it sorted 
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  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,741 Disability Gamechanger
    @aconz Hello there :)  It sounds like you've had quite the time of it but I'm really happy to read that you aren't in pain any more.  That must be such a relief.  Thank you for coming back to update us and you know where we are if you ever need support, advice or people to chat virtually with.

    Take care and look after yourself.
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