microdiscectomy Waiting time NHS.

[Richards21]

Can anyone tell me the likely waiting time from GP referral to Neurosurgeon operation?

[Ariadne1925]

It depends on the hospital - I waited two months for an 'urgent' referral and was told I'd be operated on fairly quickly by the registrar. This wasn't the case and the wait would've been several months if I hadn't kicked up a fuss. The wait changes a lot if the hospital takes emergency cases.

Another option is to research private providers who are approved for NHS work. I only found out about this possibility due to a personal connection with a neurosurgeon. It's called the Any Qualified Provider network. Ask your GP initially but don't be surprised if they are clueless and unwilling to help, also expect a fight with the local commissioning group - quote the NHS right to choose from the NHS constitution, in fact they should give you log in details for the Right to Choose website where you can see the wait times and book somewhere that suits you - eg a shorter wait but you are prepared to travel.

It depends on how much pain you are in as to how much of a fight you'll want to put in.

[karmashadow]

Hi Richard21

RIchard I'd say it took about four weeks in my case but depending on your local health authority and your G.P Medical Centre it may differ.

I saw a Nuerosurgeon in March this year, which was roughly four weeks after my last MRI.

I am absolutely terrified of receiving an epidural, and unless I change my mind and ask my GP to be referred back I will keep taking the Medication. So I've got some thinking to do.

The success rates don't inspire me very much either:

(1) It might work.

(2) it might not work.

(3) it mIght make it worse.

My own personal experience of an epidural for pain is that I had the injection in my spine and it made my left foot totally numb within minutes, I really couldn't feel it for days, plus the headache that it gave me lasted for two weeks, and I mean the worst!. The main thing is that it wasn't my foot that was supposed to be pain free. In fact it was nowhere near the area it was supposed to be!.

I don't wish to be on medication for the rest of my life, but in my case I have a factual and documented reason for rejecting an epidural. I don't trustf anyone no matter how qualified to inject anything into my spine!. Ok it isn't as bad as some of the horror stories that mention being paralysed from the waist or neck down.

Kind Regards & lots of Luck 🐺

[angelrobert]

I personally thinks that it depends upon the hospital and then also the condition of the patient. orthopedicsurgerysandiego.com/