Back in January I was diagnosed with problems with my spine as below.
"x rays shows OA throughout
loss lumbar lordosis"
I posted at the time being my spine is affected, would that affect me being able to have a spinal (Epidural) when I have a Cystoscopy?
I said at the time I would consult my GP and she what she thought.
I saw her yesterday and she honestly did not know. She went through the x Ray on my back and in places spondylosis was severe but near where a spinal injection would be given, that's not as severe as T11 and L1 whatever that means.
Her answer was - It will be down the the head Anaesthetist who will decide could a spinal go ahead or did I have to have a GA. She was hopeful I would still be able to have a spinal.
She hid her best to help, but I see her point.
I am due a cystoscopy but heard nothing yet - Fingers crossed I will get a Flexy first, all clear will be great, if not with go for a TURBT Cystoscopy.
The difference is a flexy tube is smaller and dose not require either GA or Spinal.
If anything found with flexy camera then will be a TURBT to remove and or take biopsies. That will mean a spinal Fingers crossed or a GA.
I am not even sure if my BCG treatment has finished, will have to try and find that out.
Sorry for long post.
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Ern007
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Thank you Helen. I am hoping to hear soon. I am hoping for a flexy, then no anesthetic at all bar a bit of local is needed . You are so right, it's the waiting xxx
Hello Ern. Thinking of you while you're waiting. I had good results from my 6 monthly scan following removal of a tumour in my lung!! However ..... they found 'severe coronary artery disease" - so like you, I'm waiting!! Hopefully you'll not need an injection or general anaesthetic. You've gone through so much though. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you Jan - If I had to I would wish a spinal. with lung and heart problems don't really want a GA - Maybe I will have a clear flexy then no problem. I hope you also find out soon, I have had CHD for years and am still here, Lucky you have that scan Jan.
I can’t remember whether I replied to your original posts or not, but I was due to have knee replacement surgery by epidural because my neck is a bit wonky, but it was cancelled because I was in hospital for another issue and before surgery the anaesthetist came and told me I would have to have aGA because I have spinal stenosis. Good luck. Good luck with your cystoscopy.
I can't remember either Helen - I was waiting for some word, I remember posting I would ask my GP - My neck is wonky, I have degeneration of cervical disc. The spinal problems low down are more recent. loss lumbar lordosis - Doctor unsure about spinal or , so it's wait and see. Thank you and I hope you get your knee sorted,
Well I’m on the waiting list again for the same orthopaedic surgeon who has experience of working with steroid dependent people, but I don’t think it’ll be done any time soon because I’ve still got an open wound on my hip, which was infected twice while in hospital and the risk from infection is too great.
waiting and not knowing is tough. Hopefully it will work out and you can have the flexy and not need a general anaesthetic. Keeping my fingers crossed for you 🤞
Thank you HungryHufflepuff - It will I think be a flexy, if nothing found. Yipee - If there is, means a TURBT to remove it, like in 2021, So yep, fingers crossed.
I can sense your tension and dilemma. I too can’t have GA’s too risky and my spine is also a mess so I’d have the same issue, it would be far safer for an epidural for me but could they actually perform it?
I really hope you get answers soon and they can manage the epidural.
Thank you Wendy - Last couple of epidurals have been OK, but at times it took a long while to get the needle in. With luck they may decide a spinal risk is less that a GA, if as you say it would be an option.xx
Hi Ern yout query about T11 and L1 they split the spine into different regions, c -cervical,, neck area, t - thoracic chest area and l - lumber lower area. They then number the discs within each area. I think thoracic is 1 to 12 and lumber 1 to 5. Hope this helps. I wish you well with your treatment. Keep posting he painting s they really brighten my day.., Sue
Good morning Ern007. Well sadly your no better informed than before you seen the doctor. Just hope it's the easier option for you and you get the all clear my friend. Brian
Hi Ern, like everyone has said everything crossed that you get a spinal. What a lot to take in! Not sure how you remember everything, your medical problems are so many and so diverse! But I wish you well my friend❤️xxx
Thank you Nula2 - I seem to remember although my memory is not that good. I had an op to remove my wisdom teeth, again I went for the spinal. No pa A, surgeon would not give me one anyway, I had an Hernia op with a spinal and it went good, Thank you for your good wishes xxx
hi Ern, sorry to hear about your worries. The anaesthetist will have a discussion with you prior to the procedure. They don’t take unnecessary risk and they want you to be calm at the time of the procedure. Try and not think about it now, just make notes of the questions you want to ask your anaesthetist, or even take someone along with you!
Please remember you are 007, you are a special human being and strong and respected!
Thank you Wheezes - If it's not a flexy Anne comes with me, the anaesthetist are brilliant and will do the best thing, for all my procedures and op, I have never had a GA, just hope that continues x
Just back from our break and want to say that I hope everything works out well for you. You deserve good things Ern and I’ll keep everything crossed for you. Take care xxx❤️
Thank you Carole - I am now just in waiting mode, if they just want to see what is what, that will mean a flexy and that would be good. Hope your break went well. xxx
Sorry to hear of all the uncertainty Ern, hoping that you'll be able to have the Flexy and everything will go well. Thinking of you and 🙏 for successful outcomes. Joy xx
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