And I'm back!

[Danni54]

Hi all. I need a bit more advice please. I have had a really bad few day's....worse with the pain in my spine now spreading down and where the fracture's are it feels as though it's on fire as are my leg's. I haven't slept properly for I don't know how long. My Dr. had told me that he had written to Neurology asking for an urgent appointment but my husband rang our hospital today and there is no appointment with Neurology but I'm down for an appointment with Orthopaedics. They wouldn't tell my husband how long it would be before I get an appointment but I know that the waiting list is month's and the Orthopaedic Department don't have a wonderful reputation. My Dr. is sure that nerves are trapped in the fracture and fluid has ballooned out which is what's affecting my leg's. So ....question....Orthopaedics or Neurology....who would be better for me to go to. I'm going to phone my Dr. on Monday to find out what is going on! If you all think that it would be better for me to see a Neurologist then I will phone the hospital on Monday and make a private appointment. I haven't been able to do anything since I last wrote here because I have felt so ill and been in so much pain and this has really upset me when I'm feeling really down anyway. Hate moaning! Any advice would be appreciated....again! Thank you in advance.

Hugs to everybody. xx

[Jangoboney]

Hi Danni54, I am new replying here, but think I understand your suffering to a certain extent. I have "burning" legs. I live in Switzerland and my GP referred me to a neurologist who tested my nerves and confirmed that the fire down my legs is not caused by Polyneuropathy. This, by a process of elimination, will help the doctors find a suitable treatment.

I hope this helps with your decision. Good luck.

[Danni54 in reply to Jangoboney]

Thank you for your reply. I get so confused by our medic's and it's making me really depressed. First I'm told that I have cancer of the spine and 5 days later, no , it's Osteoporosis. I think that when we have cancer once they then assume that every other problem is cancer although it was the Australian Radiographer's who said I have 2 wedge fracture's and splinters and cancer! A Gastroenterologist did a Colonoscopy, rang and said that I have a thickening in the Colon and a Polyp but never followed up on that ! That was 3 ½ years ago! My Dr. wants me to have an MRI to clarify thing's but the waiting list for him to refer me is approx. 15 - 18 months but would be quicker through a Consultant. I still have my Dr.s message where he said that he had asked for an urgent appointment with Neurology but when my husband rang they said I would have an appointment with Orthopaedics! The waiting list here for Orthopaedics is months. I want to see a Neurologist because even my Dr. says that I have severe nerve damage. Sooo fed up with all of this.

I really hope that you get help soon. Please take care and thank you again.

All the best x

[Southerngirl2787]

I had nerve impingement develop with fractures, then edema set in the spine, it's so very painful! I also had bone spurs wrap the nerves, so my neurosurgeon had to go back in and release the nerves, remove the spurs...he said there was a lot of edema up and down spine, I've had 10 fractures thoracic and lumbar. I would see a neurologist or your surgeon. I would not let an orthopedic touch my spine....and I worked in healthcare 30+ years!

[CallMeSunny]

A spinal neurosurgeon covers both aspects.

[Catlover144]

Hi, I’m am in the U.S.; so there are differences in the healthcare system and in modes of recommended treatment. As other commenters suggested, I think the neurology appointment is the next step. The orthopedist likely has nothing to offer you at this point whereas the neurologist can perform nerve conduction studies to help determine the cause of your numbness and its origination. For instance, testing could show if it is radiculopathy coming from your spine and where it originates, neuropathy due to nerve damage in your legs, both or neither. It’s important to know because the treatments for each are different. In the meantime, a TENS unit might be helpful in giving you some intermittent relief from the pain - especially if it is coming from your spine. It might also help disperse some of the fluid. They are available OTC here; although I don’t know about elsewhere or if they are as strong as the one I got from my pain doctor 10+ years ago when they were prescription only. While it doesn’t “cure” your neurological symptoms, it can help block your perception of the pain. Massage might also help with your pain and dispersing the fluid.

[Danni54 in reply to Catlover144]

P.S. Love your name ! Our 2 rescue 11 year old RagDoll cat's are soooo spoilt! We have only had them for a year and a half and they are still flinching a bit but are a lot calmer and they are very chatty ! Why do some people think that they can be cruel to animals but don't think about Karma and how disgusting they are ? These cat's were just not loved for 10 year's. Just so sad .

[Danni54]

Thank you so much. I'm in absolute agony today, feel sick with the pain and my leg's don't feel real and they are so cold. Sorry...moaning again and I hate that more than anything! I will try my TENS again. I used it before but it didn't help much and I bought a really good one so ...maybe...! I asked my Dr. to change the referral to Neurology but he said it's quicker going through Orthopaedics to get an MRI. I am convinced that Neurology would be better so if I don't have an appointment by Friday then I'm going to phone Neurology and ask for a private appointment because I can't take much more of this . It's been 3 years getting steadily worse. Unfortunately the lung cancer,misdiagnosis has affected my breathing and voice so I am self conscious about speaking on the phone. Have to get over that and just do it! The US Websites seem to be better than the NHS ones but the ROS Nurses are amazing. Really need to phone them. Please take care. I hope your pain isn't too bad. I really appreciate you taking the time to write and appreciate the advice. All the very best x