physio visit

woodbon

Hi I've just been the spinal physio and it was an informative visit. The pain clinic had sent me for a review of the hip and lumber back, I do have problems their but its my neck which is the worst part now. I knew her from the first time I went and she was very good. She asked lots of questions about the pain and stuff. and watched me move my neck.

She went and looked at the MRI on the computer, as the Pain Clinic doc hadn't mentioned it or the osteophate that it showed, which is irritating a nerve in my neck. She has given my some exercises to free up my neck and told me to monitor the numbness that I sometimes have and if it gets any worst at all to go straight to A&E! :shock: as it could mean serious consiquences if the nerve is trapped for too long and becomes more damaged It was a bit scary really. She has mentioned referral to a Neurosurgion later.

I feel quite 'gob smacked' all this time and I've been left. The pain clinic doc said that I didn't have a bone spur that he could see, but the physio saw it straight away and said it was on the left, as the Rheummy said ages ago! I don't know how I feel, shocked, a bit frightened, yet justified in all the visits to the docs. I just hope the although the spinal cord is fine, the disks are worn and have lost some space, which the pain clinic doc said they where fine.

I think I feel a bit shocked and itchey! :roll: Tomorrow, I have a pathway to work meeting in Norwich, which my husband is taking me to. I suppose they will want me to get a job in the next few weeks! :roll: Love Sue

kathbee

Hi Sue

Not surprised you are quite shocked. The fact that they told you to go to A & E if your neck does not improve. wow. Some mixed views though between the rheumy, pain clinic doc and physio.
Does sound like the physio was thorough.

Too right you shouldnt feel bad about the docs appointments of late.
Its your body and you want the best for yourself.

Hope the meeting tomorrow goes ok for you.

Kath

frogmorton

HI Sue
I undertsand the shock, but you must feel vindicated too At least you know what it is and have a plan of action, physio and ultimately surgeon.
I hope once you've got over the shock you will feel ok.
Good luck with that pathways to work malarky - blimey they are putting people through the mill aren't they?
You look after yourself
Love
Toni xx

woodbon

Hi, I do feel glad that I did keep going to the doctors, even if it was embarrsing althogh the staff didn't make me feel embrarresed that was just me! I do trust the physio I saw today as she did a lot of work on my hip and it went very well, she left to take up promotion in a different part of the area, but now works between here and another small town. She spent over an hour with me and has made the exercises for my lower back and hip simple so that I don't damage my neck. I hope I will avoid surgery but, if it comes, I'll cope. A&E is something I really, really want to avoid, but at least I know what to do if I have a problem. I feel better now, I know what I'm up against! Thanks for the replies. Love Sue

Wonkylegs

HI Sue,

I am guessing that the exercises you have been given for your neck will be similar to the ones that I had to do (and should still do!!) although your problem sounds a bit more urgent than mine was. I used to have numbness and tingling in my right arm, and my shoulders were very stiff. I have a small amount of OA in my neck which was shown up on my x-ray.

Just thought I'd pop on to tell you that when I first started the exercises they seemed really too simple for what they were supposed to achieve, but the results after a while were astonishing for me. i hope they have the same effect for you!.

I got quite good at praciticing the exercises whilst sitting in waiting rooms ... made some people look at me a bit oddly but I'm getting used to that these days

woodbon

Hi, Yes the exercises for my neck can be done in public, though I imagine people may think your a bit odd starring one way and the then another, looking at the ceilling and then the floor, as for the ear to side ones, well they'll be calling the men in white coats and moving away from me. I also have my simplified hip and back exercises, they in involve lying on the floor, by this time they'd have me in a nice ambulance. I think thats great and you've cheered me up, I'm sitting here laughing.

The physio said that the problem with an impinged nerve and blood vessel can be an unexpected bleed or nerve entrapped compleatly and if they see me straight away they can operate and I'd be fine but if it gets left, waiting for appointments and so forth then by the time a neurologist sees it, the nerve will be too badly damaged to recover. She said when I settle with my exercises, shes given me 12 weeks, then she will start trying to get more movement in my arms, so they will go over my head. She also said the the nerve damage may be reversable or I my have to live with it as I've had it a while and the muscles are waisted. I shall hope for the best, keep practicing the exercises at least 4 times a day, she said.
I do feel a sense of relief because she has helped me with my hip before, and I could walk properly for quite a while. Thanks for the replies Love Sue PS I see an employment advisor this afternoon about my abilities for work!!! don't want to go but, you have to laugh at the timing! :!:

skezier

Hi Sue,

Its amazing with all that they are calling you in about your ability to work........ They really do need to get a reality check eh?! I hope you take all the documentation you have about how bad you are and make them leave you alone for a bit!

It good they are getting on top of your problem with your neck. I know the idea of possible surgery can be scary, especially with your neck being involved but I just wanted to say I had major surgery on my back years ago and it really helped me so much so if it comes to it, well I just wanted you to know it can really help. Maybe with the physio you will be able to get the pressure off? I really hope so and good luck. Luv Cris