Discussion
I've had some problems with my back over the last 6 months (pro-lapsed disk due to over-training). I had an steroid injection to "fix" it, which had slightly better than a 50/50 chance of working. At the pre-op consultation and during the injection, I was given no advice on how I can help myself, i.e. stretching, exercises, etc.
Being pro-active, I spoke to a physio (courtesy of the back care charity) about how I could help myself, and received some brilliant advice (which I summarised in the cycling section if anyone is interested). In summary, the injection didn't work, but the physio programme I started has seen big improvements.
I have now had a phone call stating that I have been booked in for my surgical op, and given 3 dates. This Friday for all my pree-med stuff, Next Friday for surgical consultation, and then the following Tuesday for the Op itself.
At no point have I been asked whether I'm better. I even asked the surgeon's secretary if it wouldn't be more sensible to see the surgeon first to discuss whether the op is actually needed. If it turns out I don't, then they'll have wasted a pre-med slot and a surgery slot, because there is no way in hell that they'll be able do the pre-meds, and consultation in 1 day.
Sorry for the ramble, but I'm really cross at the way our taxes that are being wasted by such an inefficient system, and this is one of the reasons why waiting lists are so long.
From recent personal and family experiences of the NHS it is utterly broken at a systemic level. There are some great individuals working within it, but the organisation really couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery.
Being pro-active, I spoke to a physio (courtesy of the back care charity) about how I could help myself, and received some brilliant advice (which I summarised in the cycling section if anyone is interested). In summary, the injection didn't work, but the physio programme I started has seen big improvements.
I have now had a phone call stating that I have been booked in for my surgical op, and given 3 dates. This Friday for all my pree-med stuff, Next Friday for surgical consultation, and then the following Tuesday for the Op itself.
At no point have I been asked whether I'm better. I even asked the surgeon's secretary if it wouldn't be more sensible to see the surgeon first to discuss whether the op is actually needed. If it turns out I don't, then they'll have wasted a pre-med slot and a surgery slot, because there is no way in hell that they'll be able do the pre-meds, and consultation in 1 day.
Sorry for the ramble, but I'm really cross at the way our taxes that are being wasted by such an inefficient system, and this is one of the reasons why waiting lists are so long.
From recent personal and family experiences of the NHS it is utterly broken at a systemic level. There are some great individuals working within it, but the organisation really couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery.
If at all possible, do not have the op. I had two slipped discs a few years back and was told I may need an op. 9 months after it first happend with plenty of rest and a home pilates programme all was well. It may take a while but if the disc hasn't burst then you should be able to exercise it back into place. Oh! and get some anti inflamatory drugs and strong pain killers.
The Curn said:
The government took away control from the medical staff that were running the hospitals and gave it to non medical NHS "managers", most of whom are crap.
The NHS has been spiralling out of control ever since.
The problem as I see it is that there no one looking across the various disciplines. If you see happen to start with a a physio, you get prescribed physio, if you see a surgeon they prescribe surgery. There should be someone looking across the various opinions and deciding what, all things considered, is the best course of action.The NHS has been spiralling out of control ever since.
To the OP, I work in the NHS. If you have back issues, yes things aren't very good and yes, the flexibility within hospital systems is not always there. Its a mixed bag. And that's not good enough. The government's constant fiddling is often the cause.
But feck me:
Been watching Holby City?
Hospitals are just a fraction of what the NHS does. Elsewhere, there's primary care, community services, ambulances mental health services, the list goes on.
The top decision making fora including Board meetings are required to have senior clinical staff as decision makers.
The NHS has been in 'crisis' according to the tabloids since it was put in place but there has never been a 'golden age' and if you went back in time you'd have poorer health outcomes. You just would.
But feck me:
The Curn said:
The government took away control from the medical staff that were running the hospitals and gave it to non medical NHS "managers", most of whom are crap.
The NHS has been spiralling out of control ever since.
Bless your heart Curn.The NHS has been spiralling out of control ever since.
Been watching Holby City?
Hospitals are just a fraction of what the NHS does. Elsewhere, there's primary care, community services, ambulances mental health services, the list goes on.
The top decision making fora including Board meetings are required to have senior clinical staff as decision makers.
The NHS has been in 'crisis' according to the tabloids since it was put in place but there has never been a 'golden age' and if you went back in time you'd have poorer health outcomes. You just would.
captainzep said:
Bless your heart Curn.
Been watching Holby City?
Hospitals are just a fraction of what the NHS does. Elsewhere, there's primary care, community services, ambulances mental health services, the list goes on.
The top decision making fora including Board meetings are required to have senior clinical staff as decision makers.
The NHS has been in 'crisis' according to the tabloids since it was put in place but there has never been a 'golden age' and if you went back in time you'd have poorer health outcomes. You just would.
No, I watch very little television.Been watching Holby City?
Hospitals are just a fraction of what the NHS does. Elsewhere, there's primary care, community services, ambulances mental health services, the list goes on.
The top decision making fora including Board meetings are required to have senior clinical staff as decision makers.
The NHS has been in 'crisis' according to the tabloids since it was put in place but there has never been a 'golden age' and if you went back in time you'd have poorer health outcomes. You just would.
My wife and a number of other "friends and family" are in senior medical positions within both the hospital environment and GP surgeries.
All, without exception, feel that it (the NHS) is going to rats
t because of government intervention.The Curn said:
captainzep said:
Bless your heart Curn.
Been watching Holby City?
Hospitals are just a fraction of what the NHS does. Elsewhere, there's primary care, community services, ambulances mental health services, the list goes on.
The top decision making fora including Board meetings are required to have senior clinical staff as decision makers.
The NHS has been in 'crisis' according to the tabloids since it was put in place but there has never been a 'golden age' and if you went back in time you'd have poorer health outcomes. You just would.
No, I watch very little television.Been watching Holby City?
Hospitals are just a fraction of what the NHS does. Elsewhere, there's primary care, community services, ambulances mental health services, the list goes on.
The top decision making fora including Board meetings are required to have senior clinical staff as decision makers.
The NHS has been in 'crisis' according to the tabloids since it was put in place but there has never been a 'golden age' and if you went back in time you'd have poorer health outcomes. You just would.
My wife and a number of other "friends and family" are in senior medical positions within both the hospital environment and GP surgeries.
All, without exception, feel that it (the NHS) is going to rats
t because of government intervention.The endless regulation, form filling, over-zealous patient safety agenda, information governance, IT 'upgrading' etc. etc. gets in the way too. We're never allowed to settle and mature beyond a few months before another 'incentive' comes in and turns our world upside down again. It also takes more and more autonomy away from the individual practitioner.
But you said the use of non-medical managers is to blame for this. As a blanket generalisation that's not fair. There are non-medical jobs to do so they get done by non-medical people. The public just don't see the size of the iceberg under the tip.
And "going to rats
t"? Bit dramatic. The NHS is vast and just doesn't sink like that. I have a full-on disc prolapse around L4/5 and found the best care that I could wish for came from a mix of private physio and a good consultant.
I have had trouble with my back and sciatice for over a year and in April had an MRI scan. The scan showed a hefty disc prolapse so I was referred to a surgeon. Saw the surgeon in August and he said that because I had been having regular physio I could put off the op for now.
The physio I am having is based around core back strenghening and trying to make the most of a bad prolapse situation. I have been left with an open appointment incase my back goes mad again. I had a bit of an episode last week but that was a result of coming back off holiday (28hrs without sleep, diving, flying, driving etc etc), my physio confirmed this.
The 5 mins I had with the surgeon (after waiting for the best part of 4 months to see him) were great, but my physio has been priceless! It seems that paid-for services are well worth it. But the NHS can be good at times!
I was interested in what you have said about cycling. I used to cycle regularly on a racer until this happened and the surgeon told me to get rid of the racer and get a more traditional 'sit-up' bike!!
I have had trouble with my back and sciatice for over a year and in April had an MRI scan. The scan showed a hefty disc prolapse so I was referred to a surgeon. Saw the surgeon in August and he said that because I had been having regular physio I could put off the op for now.
The physio I am having is based around core back strenghening and trying to make the most of a bad prolapse situation. I have been left with an open appointment incase my back goes mad again. I had a bit of an episode last week but that was a result of coming back off holiday (28hrs without sleep, diving, flying, driving etc etc), my physio confirmed this.
The 5 mins I had with the surgeon (after waiting for the best part of 4 months to see him) were great, but my physio has been priceless! It seems that paid-for services are well worth it. But the NHS can be good at times!
I was interested in what you have said about cycling. I used to cycle regularly on a racer until this happened and the surgeon told me to get rid of the racer and get a more traditional 'sit-up' bike!!
funkyrobot said:
I have a full-on disc prolapse around L4/5 and found the best care that I could wish for came from a mix of private physio and a good consultant.
I have had trouble with my back and sciatice for over a year and in April had an MRI scan. The scan showed a hefty disc prolapse so I was referred to a surgeon. Saw the surgeon in August and he said that because I had been having regular physio I could put off the op for now.
The physio I am having is based around core back strenghening and trying to make the most of a bad prolapse situation. I have been left with an open appointment incase my back goes mad again. I had a bit of an episode last week but that was a result of coming back off holiday (28hrs without sleep, diving, flying, driving etc etc), my physio confirmed this.
The 5 mins I had with the surgeon (after waiting for the best part of 4 months to see him) were great, but my physio has been priceless! It seems that paid-for services are well worth it. But the NHS can be good at times!
I was interested in what you have said about cycling. I used to cycle regularly on a racer until this happened and the surgeon told me to get rid of the racer and get a more traditional 'sit-up' bike!!
Sounds like we have exactly the same problem. I too went private for the physio, and MRI, which as you say seems like the best bet (and was recommended by my GP).I have had trouble with my back and sciatice for over a year and in April had an MRI scan. The scan showed a hefty disc prolapse so I was referred to a surgeon. Saw the surgeon in August and he said that because I had been having regular physio I could put off the op for now.
The physio I am having is based around core back strenghening and trying to make the most of a bad prolapse situation. I have been left with an open appointment incase my back goes mad again. I had a bit of an episode last week but that was a result of coming back off holiday (28hrs without sleep, diving, flying, driving etc etc), my physio confirmed this.
The 5 mins I had with the surgeon (after waiting for the best part of 4 months to see him) were great, but my physio has been priceless! It seems that paid-for services are well worth it. But the NHS can be good at times!
I was interested in what you have said about cycling. I used to cycle regularly on a racer until this happened and the surgeon told me to get rid of the racer and get a more traditional 'sit-up' bike!!
I'm hoping to convince my surgeon to leave me with an open appointment if the stretching and manipulation doesn't work. Seems mad though just assuming that I'll need surgery - such a waste of resources.
I broke my arm a couple of weeks ago.
I've nothing but glowing praise for the paramedics, A&E and ward staff who all did a fantastic job.
However the experience was let down by a few aspects, mainly admin on the part of the Consultant and his team resulting in my staying in an extra night when I didn't need to, also I wasn't given any outpatient advice and I've very low expectations for my outpatient appointment last thing on Friday.
Luckily I have medical insurance to fall back on should I need it, the majority aren't so lucky.
What would be good is if you were appointed to a single person who was your first point of contact throughout your stay in hospital as pepole seem to get lost in the system too easily.
I've nothing but glowing praise for the paramedics, A&E and ward staff who all did a fantastic job.
However the experience was let down by a few aspects, mainly admin on the part of the Consultant and his team resulting in my staying in an extra night when I didn't need to, also I wasn't given any outpatient advice and I've very low expectations for my outpatient appointment last thing on Friday.
Luckily I have medical insurance to fall back on should I need it, the majority aren't so lucky.
What would be good is if you were appointed to a single person who was your first point of contact throughout your stay in hospital as pepole seem to get lost in the system too easily.
rhinochopig said:
funkyrobot said:
I have a full-on disc prolapse around L4/5 and found the best care that I could wish for came from a mix of private physio and a good consultant.
I have had trouble with my back and sciatice for over a year and in April had an MRI scan. The scan showed a hefty disc prolapse so I was referred to a surgeon. Saw the surgeon in August and he said that because I had been having regular physio I could put off the op for now.
The physio I am having is based around core back strenghening and trying to make the most of a bad prolapse situation. I have been left with an open appointment incase my back goes mad again. I had a bit of an episode last week but that was a result of coming back off holiday (28hrs without sleep, diving, flying, driving etc etc), my physio confirmed this.
The 5 mins I had with the surgeon (after waiting for the best part of 4 months to see him) were great, but my physio has been priceless! It seems that paid-for services are well worth it. But the NHS can be good at times!
I was interested in what you have said about cycling. I used to cycle regularly on a racer until this happened and the surgeon told me to get rid of the racer and get a more traditional 'sit-up' bike!!
Sounds like we have exactly the same problem. I too went private for the physio, and MRI, which as you say seems like the best bet (and was recommended by my GP).I have had trouble with my back and sciatice for over a year and in April had an MRI scan. The scan showed a hefty disc prolapse so I was referred to a surgeon. Saw the surgeon in August and he said that because I had been having regular physio I could put off the op for now.
The physio I am having is based around core back strenghening and trying to make the most of a bad prolapse situation. I have been left with an open appointment incase my back goes mad again. I had a bit of an episode last week but that was a result of coming back off holiday (28hrs without sleep, diving, flying, driving etc etc), my physio confirmed this.
The 5 mins I had with the surgeon (after waiting for the best part of 4 months to see him) were great, but my physio has been priceless! It seems that paid-for services are well worth it. But the NHS can be good at times!
I was interested in what you have said about cycling. I used to cycle regularly on a racer until this happened and the surgeon told me to get rid of the racer and get a more traditional 'sit-up' bike!!
I'm hoping to convince my surgeon to leave me with an open appointment if the stretching and manipulation doesn't work. Seems mad though just assuming that I'll need surgery - such a waste of resources.
Apparently you can manage a condition like ours if you are careful and you take the advice given to you. I'm just hoping that my work with the physio keeps the nastiness at bay! Saying that, my episode last week scared the life out of me again! But, as my physio confirmed last night, its all about lifestyle and pain management.
Hope your consultation goes well. Its been hard for me over the last few months (what with ditching the road bike etc) but hopefully its worth it! I'm off to buy a nippy hybrid style bike soon. Hell yeah!
I've had an MRI scan recently for tinnitus. They tried to book me twice, both appointments I could not attend.
Now years ago, you'd expect to wait about 3 months between appointments. The time this time? A week between appointments, and the third was the one I could attend.
I was quietly impressed, also when I went there was a 2 minute wait. 2 minutes before being shown the scanner and being asked to get changed, and then the scan began immediately.
Now years ago, you'd expect to wait about 3 months between appointments. The time this time? A week between appointments, and the third was the one I could attend.
I was quietly impressed, also when I went there was a 2 minute wait. 2 minutes before being shown the scanner and being asked to get changed, and then the scan began immediately.
NHS, I've been waiting 5 years for an op on my spine.
All I've had was canceled appointments, when you get to see the consultant your in there room for no more than 5mins, he barely looks at the x-rays mri's, this is in London not some backwater.
Going through a complaints procedure at the moment, and no I won't be trying to claim off anybody, I'm trying to change consultant, I just wish they would do the job correctly for what they are paid for.
But good news, I've been given my first physio appointment!
My first treatment in 5 years,(and that was canceled for three extra months)
Been reading a book by a New York Consultant Dr John Sarno, quite interesting reading, have a google for his books.
All I've had was canceled appointments, when you get to see the consultant your in there room for no more than 5mins, he barely looks at the x-rays mri's, this is in London not some backwater.
Going through a complaints procedure at the moment, and no I won't be trying to claim off anybody, I'm trying to change consultant, I just wish they would do the job correctly for what they are paid for.
But good news, I've been given my first physio appointment!
My first treatment in 5 years,(and that was canceled for three extra months)
Been reading a book by a New York Consultant Dr John Sarno, quite interesting reading, have a google for his books.
Parrot of Doom said:
I was quietly impressed
I think the common perception that the NHS offers a piss poor service is partly due to the fact that the minority who aren't impressed aren't quiet about it.From a personal point of view, the odd time I've needed treatment, they've dealt with me quickly and efficiently.
Risotto said:
the minority who aren't impressed aren't quiet about it.
Well my recent experience was the second time I've been moved to write to compliment and thank NHS staff, mainly because the bad stuff was either not worth mentioning or ongoing, but the good stuff was very good(if that makes any sense at all).captainzep said:
The NHS has been in 'crisis' according to the tabloids since it was put in place but there has never been a 'golden age' and if you went back in time you'd have poorer health outcomes. You just would.
Another one who believes that a big government solution is the best way to provide a health service. Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff