second opinion

[doejany]

Hi guys, sorry I have not posted for a while but wondering if anyone can advise please. I am really anxious to have a second opinion on my ongoing medical issue and at this point am even considering going private for this as in so much pain. Can anyone point me in the right direction for this and give me an idea of cost please?

[johnsmith]

Not enough information to go on.

[doejany in reply to johnsmith]

So sorry, I have been diagnosed and treated for degenerative disc disease which has caused issues with bony regrowth on my spine. Previous to this I had a disc issue which was bulging, this was an injury caused by carrying several heavy buckets of water up stairs and my back just went. After physio and treking back and forth to various app, was finally diagnosed with a bulging disc and the bony growth which they said was causing the intense pain and cramping in my leg and groin, I was given a laminectomy in January this year but sadly I have only had worsening of symptoms. The neuro basically apologised for it not working and has discharged me. I am left in more pain than ever and just feel that I have been fobbed off. My gp has given me Morphine SR which is not even touching the symptoms much. I do know when I have not taken it though! I just feel that something may have been missed. I am struggling every single minute of the day and even any normal tasks are a struggle. Luckily my work mates are very good but I know I cannot depend on them to be "carrying" me for much longer.. I am at my wits end but I am unsure if a private consultation would give me any more answers.

[Bevoly in reply to doejany]

Have you tried seeing a herbalist? You may get relief from natural remedies and acupuncture. Some massage therapy may also help. I have inflammatory disease and the side effects of the drugs I took were fatal so I've changed meds and my diet and a week in I feel improvements where the convetional medicines couldn't. I must warn you I gave up all processed foods to get to this stage in addition to taking the alternative meds and it's early days so lm still phasing out my conventional meds..down to two per day from 9. I also go to a gym and regularly use the sauna steam and Jacuzzi which helps joint pain. I do Pilates/Yoga and weight bearing excercises with a personal fitness trainer who is fully aware of my limitations to keep my posture in tact and build muscle around the painful joints. We don't realise how our posture, weight, diet and lifestyle impacts on pain. It's a long road and may take a year to feel a significant difference but if you keep at it you may find an alternative that suits you. It may cost but you can't put a price o your health. All the best and hang on in there.

[Nick2U in reply to doejany]

Hi... I haven’t had to go as far as you have but was diagnosed with the degenerative disc disorder. I’ve been avoiding surgery at all costs. My chiropractor first suggested taking anti inflammatory supplements like fermented cod liver oil—which helped, then he also said black seed oil (cumin seed oil) but the tase was way to pungent for me. I finally started filling my own 000 gel caps with the black seed oil and take four capsules a day—about a teaspoon—and also drink homemade ginger tea and just about anything with turmeric on a daily basis. That, and just a couple of acetaminophen capsules when the pain gets too much. For the most part I can keep the inflammation at bay and live a relatively normal life. Well, as normal as I could possibly be. Best wishes and hope you are able to keep your pain from getting the best of you.

[morphalot in reply to doejany]

Hi it cost me£100 to see a consultant privately although that was a few years ago. You're entitled to a second onion on the NHS though - you just ask your GP to refer you to a different consultant or even a different hospital. The consultant I saw privately was the same man who finally operated on me on the NHS!

[johnsmith in reply to doejany]

If you are in the UK contact the job centre about help for disabled people to remain in employment. There used to be a scheme for this. However, not up to date on it.

Contact the AVMA

avma.org.uk/

for advice. Suspicion of medical negligence here.

Have you had an MRI scan recently. Possible scar tissue issues.

Google "Thomas Myers" to find out his take on things. Find someone who does his sort of therapy. Try it. It may make a difference.

Worth seeing an Alexander Teacher to work on improving sensitivity to muscle behaviour. This will better help you to move with less pain.

Find a McTimony Chiropractor. It needs to be McTimony. They can check for muscle knots applying pressure on all sorts of places.

Got treated by a painful left forearm this afternoon by McTimony Chiropractor. The problem was located on the top rib and clavicle. Still trying to digest how this caused pain in my forearm. This is the strange way the body works. Most neuros do understand these sort of relationships.

Important to get enough sleep. Sleep has an influence on fine muscle control, which in turn has an influence on pain and how bad it can be.

All one can do is investigate and see if anything worth while comes out of it.

[jilly-124]

I was going to advise a chiropractor. I have tried everything from acupuncture, tablets, injections, physio but nothing works. My next port of call is a chiropractor whom I know from previous problems. Good luck

[cyberbarn]

Under the NHS you are entitled to be able to get a second opinion. Discuss this with your GP and ask for a referral for a second opinion. You could also ask for a referral to a pain clinic who can help you cope with the pain better.

[doejany in reply to cyberbarn]

I have a wait for pain clinic.. about 3 months waiting list in my area. I have been trying a bit of gentle exercise in the swimming baths and I am quite mobile in work, I work in the care sector with mental health so always busy. But I struggle mostly with any form of bending or stretching at all,, and I cannot lift anything as heavy as a full kettle without pain down my legs.. It even hurts to cough sometimes!

[Hidden]

If you are near to London, you might want to consider asking your GP to refer you to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

[Pepper2nd in reply to Hidden]

I'm being seen at this hospital but the waitlist is horrendous

A year! I'm the meantime I went private. MiR scan was £170 and consultation £260. , Steroid injection at S1 level £900. A lot of money to be told my spine looks ok and surgery is not recommended. Now back on NHS and waiting for facet root injections at the end of November and attendance at a pain management course.

[Hidden in reply to Pepper2nd]

I am sorry you hit a long wait. I had seen a consultant privately and had MRI and MRI guided injection at C6/7 elsewhere. It was no help. I had a further MRI, nerve conduction tests and neurosurgery on my c-spine by a NHNN surgeon who does nothing other than c-spine surgery. I had immediate relief from the terrible pain in my chest, shoulder and arm. I had my op work thin 18 weeks of being out on the list.

[ssdw1958]

I don’t have any idea where to find right someone but if this is your second opinion you should’ve have to pay for it.

Good luck!

[Sazntef]

Go back to your doctor and demand a second opinion. I was also fobbed of after 16 years of pain and ignored when I told them the pain was getting worse. A year later I couldn't take it and went private. An initial consultation is about £350 with follow up appointment around £200. I needed an MRI as I hadn't had one for several years, this cost about £1000 for 2 regions. They discovered my prolapsed discs had actually been disintegrating over the past 5 years making my spine massively unstable and increasing my pain. At least now I have done my own spinal fusion there should be an improvement in my condition and pain lessening. Please keep pushing the NHS as I should have done.