Patients' Stories

Raewyne's Story

"This is my story- My day began like every other with a shower, but little did I know that what would follow would be the beginning of many assaults upon my spine.

June 1987- I leaned across the bath to open the window, then twisted around to get a towel to dry the sill. It hit me, the worst pain in my lower back that I'd ever felt, I thought I had broken in half. I shuffled down the hall, it was agony, waves of nausea swept over me I couldn't sit or stand. Lying down was a relief but eventually I would have to get up. The following days remain a blur as pain relief worked its wonders. Many doctors visits, physio treatments followed. I was admitted to hospital for bedrest and traction for two weeks. A CT scan showed no abnormalities, but alas my pain persisted. On returning to the specialist for his report I was told that I was probably stressed with four young children and it would settle.

March 1988- A referral to a new specialist, I was then admitted for a myelogram, this was agony in its self. Three days of severe headaches and nausea followed.

This at least showed a prolapsed L4/5 disc, it was not all in my head.
The end of March I was back for an epidural which gave no relief at all. I was then offered the choice of another epidural, surgery or wait and see. Out of desperation I chose surgery which was done June 1988. A L4/5 decompression, the anesthetist on checking in on me post op said he didn't know how I had coped with such a large prolapse....I didn't either.

Sciatica developed again in my right leg post surgery, so it was of to the pain clinic. After several changes to medications a lumbar sympathetic block was performed in June 1989.

I returned to work at the end of 1989 where I continued until 1996. My back and leg pain had become a part of life.

April 1996- A helping hand with a tarpaulin of grass clippings onto a trailer began another back saga. 1-2-3 twist and throw, then the all to familiar pain in the lower back. I was able to go to work the following day but I quickly deteriorated and the next day I was bed bound. Several days of bedrest, pain relief and muscle relaxants followed.

May 1996- Another epidural, but still no relief. An MRI showed L5/S1 prolapse. So it was back in for surgery in July, seeing no other alternative, I didn't want to go on like last time.Several hard pieces of scar tissue were dissected from around the L5/S1 nerve and a laminectomy was performed.

This time my back and leg pain never let up, it was worse then ever.Back and forwards to my GP and specialist, I thought I was going insane.

July 1997- MRI showed a further disc prolapse, which was supposed to settle. It was not so I asked for a second opinion. November 1997 I was under a new specialist who viewed the MRI and X-rays reported-"Significant lumbar spondylosis at L4/5 and L5/S1. Significant retrolisthesis at L5/S1.Disc herniation at L5/S1 and right sided foraminal stenosis at L5/S1."

A nerve block was done in November 1997 with a very positive result. Further surgery was suggested with odds of 70% reduction in pain. This didn't impress me at all, so away I went thinking I can cope. My life had well and truly been effected- my love of gardening and bowling had all come to an end, back and leg pain persisted 24/7.

July 1999- in for pre-op check following many months of deliberating, the odds seemed to be worth trying.Consent completed- surgery would follow.
November1999- ACC without even an examination decided my case had now become degenerative, no longer covered, we had insurance but they would only meet a small portion of the costs.

I confronted my team leader and suggested she might like to consult with my surgeon and further review the decision was reversed. Surgery was all on.Many months of red tape followed- contracts, non-core procedures,one off procedures- it was a nightmare. During this time my pain persisted, my specialist couldn't have been more supportive.

November 2000- approval and surgery booked for January 2001.

Surgery went as planned, showing scar tissue to the right side at both levels. The nerve was scarred tightly to the L5/S1 disc herniation and several fragments of hard scar tissue were resected. The dura was very friable and two small dural tears occurred which were repaired, and the appropriate metalware fitted. Discharged one week post-op my leg and back were still in agony, which I thought would settle in time.

July 2001- MRI to check on reason for ongoing pain "Significant post surgical fibrosis about the R) sided dural sac at L5/S1 and within intervertebral foramen." No positive prognosis could be offered so a referral to the pain clinic was done. My back and leg pain was now worse then pre-op. Well meaning friends would ask "How is the back" "You've had surgery you should be right by now" if only! 

February 2002- I have now been to the pain clinic and had my medications adjusted. I was taking tramal 2x 50mg tds, amitriptyline 30mg nocte,2x30mg acupan tds and 3x 5mg diazepam tds.

The tramal has now been reduced to nil and 200mg epilim building up to 3 tds.The theory being that the tramal is only dulling the pain and I will only have to increase levels over time. I am anxious to see how this works, I am getting a tens machine soon.

My Occupational therapist has suggested cognitive training and "head talk" well I'll try that.

I have not had a diagnosis of arach. but have been told the symptoms are the same......was told one spinal surgery is too many and three was way over.....great in hind sight.

Changes to my sexual and urinary hesitation have been put down to my age.......46yr.......well the future looks bright!!!! On finding an ASAMS booklet in the library was liking finding an old friend who at last understood how I was feeling and I thank you for that.

Thank you Lynne again for your support when I have spoken with you.
I have posted my subscriptions and signed up to your site. Unfortunately my hospital records could not be found that indicated the dye used in my myelogram !!!!

Many thanks again,

Raewyne