I am so glad in many ways I paid to do the spinal consultation as at least it’s made me feel calmer but also I now have a better understanding of what is going on too.
The great news, is though I have degenerated discs and bulging discs it’s part of life and nothing that needs work on. The base of the spine is not great but he felt if I could build up my strength again ie swimming and sitting Pilates or yoga I could assist this part.
The nerves though impinged again in lower back are not at a level he would do anything about either.
The good news he sees no arthritis in the hips. However watching me walk and discussing my bone on bone knees he feels all my issues lie within my knees and the pain is travelling from knees and knocking out my gait and alignment. So again discussion on building strength and keep Losing the weight as his words” you need to be within a range for them to actually do the op so work on this if anything you have the time”
What was great was his empathy for autoimmune people the struggles of activity vs the disease and how hard it must be to try and battle movement with fatigue and joints etc. as he said damned if you do too much damned if you don’t.
So agreed I will up movement as much as I can and he acknowledged that me working the past 8 weeks and losing a stone shows that many autoimmune people put on weight due to sedentary lifestyle not overeating. In fact it was nice to hear that we are accused of over eating when in fact it’s the fatigue and drugs and sedentary life and not actually eating that much that causes a lot of issues.
So I left happier as it’s not cauda equine and my back is not melting it’s my knees and therefore I need to work on this next!
I know the pain won’t go away but at least I know what is going on and why and that is a relief as we get so many unanswered questions with autoimmune that it made a change to come out with facts for a change!
Saw consultant
Consultant Apppointment
Access to consultation?
Private rheumatologist 
Good news Dee and as you say getting a full explanation of what is going on in your body is very useful. I've put on 1 and a half stone since my health issues have spiralled over the past 9 months or so. It is so difficult to stay a healthy weight when you are largely immobile.
Great news that you have lost a stone.
It’s that 30mins of discussion being listened to and being told how your knees are knocking out your hips and spine and just calms the mind!
Yes re the weight told working 25hrs a week kills me on fatigue but then helps Lose the weight!
You had done so well re your weight loss too it must be so frustrating. x
Are you working?I'm eating the same, it's the immobility, can't eat much less.
Supporting hubby he cant get staff in hospitality so I am helping out on desserts and management but I am shattered but the mobility is helping the weight loss!