Poop Scoop Excitement!!

Bought one of these so I can still do the “poopy scoopy”. Is it sad that I’m actually excited about getting it?! 😝💩🐶

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie  #poop scoop  #long handled poop scoop  #poop  #poop scooper  #poop scooping  #cleaning up after my cavaliers  #cleaning up after my dogs  #responsible dog owner 

Typical!!

1) It’s taken 5 weeks to get this letter!
2) I’d have to wait another 2 weeks for the MRI!
3) I’d have to wait a further 4 weeks for the results!!!
All while I’m in agony! Glad I had my MRI privately. Got apt 2 days after referral & only a weeks wait for results.

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie #NHS  #MRI  #private health care  #heath lodge clinic  #university hospital coventry and warwickshire  #walsgrave hospital  #uhcw 

MRI Time

This afternoon I had my MRI at Heath Lodge Clinic. Di (my best friend/housemate) came with me for support. It’s a beautiful building set in lovely gardens. The receptionist was really nice and helpful. The waiting room had bookshelves with hundreds of books, plenty of leather armchairs and a coffee/hot drink machine. There was also a coffee table with plenty of magazines to choose from. The receptionist had given me a heath & safety form to fill in and offered to collect it after seeing me hobbling around. I only had to wait about 5 minutes before being called through, during which I saw these bunnies in the garden of the clinic:

The radiologist and assistant were really friendly. We all praised the comfort of wearing Sketchers as all three of us had a pair on. The MRI only took 10-15 minutes. I had to lay on my back and despite taking painkillers (2x500mg Paracetamol, 2x50mg Tramadol & 2mg Diazepam) it was agony. The pain in my back and left leg was horrific and it did make me cry. I managed to stay perfectly still though because I wanted to get it done. Both were surprised when I asked for a tissue afterwards. They both praised me on how still I stayed and told me off for not making them aware so I could have a break. I explained that I just wanted to get it out of the way. I returned to the waiting room while they prepared the CD of images. I had a lovely chocomilk but was struggling to get comfortable sitting or standing. After about 10 minutes the CD was ready, we paid and left. The receptionist advised my chiropractor should receive the report in 5 working days.

I am so relieved to have gotten the MRI out of the way. I knew it was going to be painful and I also want to know what is going on in my back ASAP.

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie #painkillers  #agony  #MRI  #heath lodge clinic  #radiologist  #bunnies  #wild rabbits  #rabbits  #best friend  #housemate  #chocomilk  #diazepam  #tramadol  #paracetamol  #private health care 

The Call

This morning I got a lovely call from Heath Lodge Clinic advising they have a cancellation for a MRI TOMORROW at 13:30!! I nearly bit her hand off! I can not believe 2 days after referral I will be having my MRI. My spirits have well and truly been lifted :-) Lady luck must be smiling down on me today.

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie  #MRI  #private health care  #heath lodge clinic  #cancellation  #lady luck  #lucky

Painkiller Pyramid

My morning pyramid of painkillers. From the top: Diazepam, Tramadol, Paracetamol & Naproxen! Now sat with my freeze pack ❄️

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie #painkillers  #diazepam  #naproxen  #tramadol  #paracetamol  #ice gel pack  #theraflex

Private MRI v NHS MRI

It’s been 36 days since I was referred by my GP for a MRI. I have not yet received an appointment letter from the hospital. The pain and restriction to my daily life is really getting me down. The painkillers are making me drowsy but I can’t cope without them. My best friend and housemate has offered to pay for a private MRI. After a discussion where I politely declined and she strongly insisted, I called my Chiropractor who immediately faxed a referral to the private clinic. He advised I’ll either get a call later today or tomorrow from them to arrange an appointment. I can’t believe how quickly they work!

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie  #NHS  #MRI referral  #private health care  #best friend

Pain Control

Trying to get the pain under control 😞

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie #painkillers  #diazepam  #naproxen  #tramadol  #paracetamol  #deep freeze  #ice gel pack  #theraflex  #omeprazol 

The Chiropractor

This morning I got myself to the Chiropractor’s. He did an hours worth of tests. He was surprised and clearly irritated that none of the doctors I had seen previously had done the basic checks (reflexes etc). I thought I would go in and he’d say “we can have you sorted in a couple of sessions”. Instead he told me that the only treatment he could offer before my MRI was laser treatment to help ease the nerves because my back is so bad. Not only is my left leg partially numb but my foot is partially numb and weak due to the impact of whatever is going on in my back is having on my nerves. He advised me to lay down as much as possible on my right side with a pillow between my knees, to use a freeze pack on my back for 20 minutes of every hour I’m awake and strongly advised me to have the MRI ASAP also advising he could refer me for a private MRI for £250! I told him I needed to think about it. During the appointment I laughed, joked and swore a little when it hurt! When I got back into my car I cried. I was hoping for good news not to be told that it’s worse than I thought it was. I now need to decide if I can wait for the NHS MRI and results or to go ahead with a much quicker private MRI…

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie  #MRI referral  #private health care  #chiropractor  #central chiropractic clinic  #laser treatment  #sad  #unhappy  #cried  #bad news  #decisions

I Ain’t Heavy, I’m His Sister

Today I got a call from my brother, Steven, telling me he has booked an appointment for me to see a Chiropractor at the Central Chiropractic Clinic tomorrow morning! He’s already paid! I can’t express how grateful I am. Hopefully the Chiropractor can sort me out ASAP :-)

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie  #chiropractor  #central chiropractic clinic  #coventry  #brother  #family  #surprise  #gift

Back to the GP

Today I went back to my GP to get more painkillers as the emergency GP could only give me 3 days worth. I also asked if they could rush the MRI because of how much pain and discomfort I’m in. I was told that they couldn’t speed the process up. I left deflated. They could see how much I was suffering but the NHS is so stretched.

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie  #painkillers  #doctor  #GP  #NHS  #MRI referral

Agony With a Capital A

The pain was unbearable by lunchtime today. I was in so much pain that at midday I called the NHS Non-emergency out of hours service (111) because it’s Saturday. They made an appointment for me to see a doctor at the Coventry NHS Healthcare & Walk-in Centre at 16:20. I lay on the sofa on my right side with a pillow between my knees while I waited for the painkillers to kick in. My amazing friend, Caz, drove (without hesitation) from Warwick to take me to my appointment. The doctor checked my back and prescribed Diazepam 5mg and Paracetamol 500mg to take alongside the Naproxen 500mg and Tramadol 50mg.

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie  #doctor  #GP  #NHS  #coventry  #walk in centre  #warwick  #diazepam  #naproxen  #tramadol  #paracetamol

The Drugs Don’t Work

I was back at the GP’s office today. The painkillers were not working. The GP swapped the Co-codamol for Tramadol 50mg and gave me a sick note for 2 weeks. It is clear that whilst in this amount of pain I am unable to work. I work in an office but have to park a short walk from the building which is becoming extremely painful. The pain I have throughout the day means I have to rotate between sitting, standing and lying down. I can’t lay down at work!

#spine pain warrior  #sciatic pain  #sciatica sucks  #sciatica  #sciatic discomfort  #sciatic nerve  #nerve pain  #back pain  #lower back pain  #chronic pain  #chronic back pain  #bulging disc  #degenerated disc  #spoonie  #tramadol  #doctor  #GP  #sick note  #NHS