73 year old male with GPA
2 weeks ago, at the weekend, I had some pains in my legs and feet. These were different pains than I had experienced before. I went to the doctor on the Monday. I have a wedge fracture in my lumbar region and he thought it may be that raising its ugly head, I have not had any pain before from the fracture.
It progressively got worse over the week... by Friday I could barely walk (with a stick). The weekend was terrible but I soldiered on and called the doctor for a home visit on Monday. The GP gave me a thorough examination and told me I probably didn't need to go to hospital as a prolonged rest would see me right. She went back to the surgery for a discussion with her colleagues. She phoned me back at 2.30pm to say that I needed an MRI scan and an x-ray, and she had arranged an ambulance for me.
The ambulance turned up at 6.00pm and took me to Leeds General Infirmary A & E. I was pushed into a waiting area in a wheelchair and was eventually seen by a doctor at 10.30pm. Another thorough examination and an x-ray at 12.15am.
I was eventually transferred to a ward at 4.30am with a 'nil by mouth' sign on the bed. A doctor saw me at 7.30am and I had an MRI scan at 10.30am. The consultant saw me at 2.30pm. He told me I had a cyst on the lumbar region of my spine and that was causing all the pain. Although an operation could drain the cyst, it was decided that it was not necessary as It would probably right itself within a fortnight. No medication was prescribed and I was discharged at 6.00pm with an appointment in 2 weeks time. Home for 6.45pm and the first cup of tea since the day before.
I was offered no refreshments during the whole time at LGI nor was I allowed any of my medication as they thought I might have be having an operation. The nursing staff, as always, were brilliant. The best part was waking up in my own bed.
