General Medical Question - Urgent - In a lot of pain... my spine *safe*

pixie*lyssie · 08-05-2008, 07:34 PM

Hiya guys, my spine is fused T11-L3 on my Thoraco-Lumbar Scoliosis curve. And below my fusion I have agonising pain and lately it's been getting worse, just been diagnosed with facet joint syndrome.
Pains in my left leg (mainly upper leg) have been coming and going and It hurts so much to breathe right now. I am so worried. I'm taking Dihydrocodiene 60mg and Paracetamol 1000mg 4 times a day. It worked at first but not any more.

Should I make an appointment with my surgeon, Mr Lam? I can make one for as soon as next week as it's a private hospital. Or... I start physio therapy on Tuesday 13th... should I just wait in pain and see if it helps?

Ahhhh I dunno what to do

Help please I'm in pain.
Lyssie xx

l'il esky · 08-05-2008, 08:02 PM

whydont you try phoning the surgeon, the secretary may be able to give you some advise or let you speak to him. sorry you're in a lot of pain, i have lordosis of the spine so sympathise. the physio sessions should be helpful tho, exercise are very helpful and they may think that something like hydrotherapy would be appropriate

pixie*lyssie · 08-05-2008, 08:05 PM

Thanks esky, I too have/had lordosis, well... hypolordosis (lack of natural lordosis).

I will deffo ring the surgeons secretary in the morning...

Animad · 08-05-2008, 08:13 PM

Where is the Facet Joint Syndrome, which vertebral joints?

I think it is a very good idea to see Mr Lam as soon as you can get an appointment, see if they can sort out some different pain meds, have they tried you on anti-inflammatories? How long have your legs been having the pains in your legs? Do you have any loss of movement in them/ reduction in sensation/ pins and needles at the same time? Or any weakness? Plus, and you can answer this via PM, do you have any loss of bladder/bowel control or any numbness around your genitalia?

pixie*lyssie · 08-05-2008, 09:01 PM

The Facet Joint Syndrome is at L4-S1. Yes a lot of weakness in my left thigh/leg. My bladder has been acting quite strangely and I feel I need the toilet more often and it's very hard to keep it in. I am a little bit constipated from the pain killers.
No, they haven't tried me on anti-inflammatories.
Mr Lam mentioned injections though.

Aidee · 08-05-2008, 09:21 PM

You actually need to go to the hospital. What you are describing indicates a nerve problem, if you haven't called your surgeon you need to right now, and if they can't get you in ASAP you need to find out if there is another doctor you can see, or if they want you to go to A&E.

pixie*lyssie · 08-05-2008, 09:43 PM

I have called NHS Direct and they are getting a nurse to call me back. You see it's hard for me to go to A&E (being almost 10 o'clock at night means my Dr's office is closed) I am going to wait for the nurse to call me back and ask her what's best for me to do.

You see a few weeks ago I had an MRI so wouldn't they have been able to tell from that if there was any nerve problems?

Animad · 08-05-2008, 10:15 PM

That does sound like a nerve problem. The majority of the questions I asked were related to a nerve problem and the area you have facet joint symdrome relates to the areas where nerves which are compressed can cause your symptoms. An MRI can show compression of nerves/ nerve problmes but it could be something minor and so the compression wasnt seen or it can be damage not related to compression which can be harder to see. It is definately worthwhile going to A&E just to get checked out because it could be that something has changed since your MRI and it is better to get it looked at sooner rather than later because damage can become worse and more pemanent. Can you get your mum to take you to a+e just so someone can examine you. Other than this you could go to the place that your GP has their out of hours service and see what they say if you don't want to go to a+e. If you ring up your surgery they will give you the number/ tell you where it is via an answerphone

Aidee · 09-05-2008, 01:01 AM

Also, if nerve problems can develop over time, or could have happened after your MRI.

pixie*lyssie · 09-05-2008, 11:39 AM

I went to the hospital last night and was given anti inflamitories because the Dr said there was deffinetlely some inflamation that could be compressing on a nerve. He said that if my water works stop completely then to get to a Dr "pronto".
I am taking ranitidine with the diclofenac to protect my stomach so it's okay.
Thank you so much guys =)) xx