I've Had a Very Successful Spinal Surgery after Avoiding It for 15 Years AMA

lfclad on 24/08/2019 - 10:08

Hi All!

Reading another thread in my daily email update I finally realised what I could offer the oz bargain community after being a long time lurker!

I avoided a spinal surgery for the best part of 15 years because of the possible side effects of surgery being rather life threatening/debilitating but finally made the plunge 14 months ago and it's been life changing in the best possible way!

Would I recommend it to someone else? Absolutely no way…..!

But I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has regarding spinal surgery

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • EightImmortals on 24/08/2019 - 10:16

    So what condition did you have that required the surgery?
    Are you now pain free?
    Are you on drugs temporarily/permanently?

    • lfclad on 24/08/2019 - 11:33
      +2

      Chronic back, hip, knee and sciatica pain - a disc blew out 6 months ago when picking up my young boy and I went from living with pain that was workable to absolutely not work able - couldn't walk 50 metres without significant pain.

      With ongoing management I am now pain free and only take anti-depressants and pain relief when required (panadol now)

  • tighttighttight1 on 24/08/2019 - 10:34

    How much did it cost?

    • lfclad on 24/08/2019 - 11:37

      Neurosurgeon fee about $2000 all up including surgery and before and after appointments.

      Anathestic fee was about $400.

      Excess payment with private hospital $500.

      Couldn't have done any of the above without private health care which about $200 a month.

      Including MRIS before after, medications, Dr and multiple specialist visits I've probably put the best of $8000 all up into this surgery.

      Would I do it all again for the benefit I now have - absolutely but would never recommend anyone doing it because of my experience

      • [Deactivated] on 24/08/2019 - 12:35
        +1

        That's the cheapest surgery I've ever seen.

        • lfclad on 24/08/2019 - 14:09

          And he is a leading pediatrician neurosurgeon who deals with cancer and all things spinal and brain surgery AND he's based in Brighton, Victoria of all places.

          I won't mention his name as I don't want to appear to be advertising her services

          • [Deactivated] on 24/08/2019 - 14:19
            +6

            @lfclad: I don't think it's going to be hard to find a hermaphrodite Neurosurgeon in Brighton.

  • Donaldhump on 24/08/2019 - 12:05
    +5

    confused, you say getting surgery is the best decision you made you don't recommend it?

    • lfclad on 24/08/2019 - 14:06
      +2

      I would not reccomend a surgery/permaenent treatment option to anyone - I had treatment through something called pain management over 10 years ago and whilst doing the course they guide with a multi facted approach including graded exposure to exercise and most importantly education.

      Through that education and subsequent years I've seen a lot of people present on topics in particular issues with the lower back regarding treatment options that have a long term successful outcome.

      Some of that education inlcudes that an MRI, CT Scan and X ray can actually be a step backwards for a patient with back pain - in our backs we can have disc bulges, compressed thecal sacks, arthritis (not osteo arthritis) and these can be present in a wide spectrum of the population HOWEVER only some of lucky folks have pain attached to these issues - they have even found people with factured vertebrae for years that do not present with pain of any kind.

      So I'd reccomend if you've suffered pain for more than 6 months of any kind (including what I've suffered from in the past - nerve pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain or nociceptive pain) to see a reputable pain management group - it helped me go from off work and almost unable to walk to working 4 days a week and being able to start a family

      • Donaldhump on 24/08/2019 - 14:39
        +2

        Even more confused now

        What you have written is contradictory , if something is the best thing you have ever done why would you not recommend it

        • lfclad on 24/08/2019 - 14:52
          +1

          Because every body has different perceptions of pain the old 1-10 chart isn't a great scale of pain and even with words I can't describe to you the pain I was suffering and you wouldn't be able to interpret without suffering it yourself.

          If you ever known someone with sciatic pain they'd tell it's one of the worst forms of pain you can suffer - you can empathise with someone who suffers it but you won't know it's true feeling unless you suffered it - even then your pain responses could be very different to mine - we could have the exact same injury and perceive it differently.

          So I'd recommend as I did that you do everything you can before ever consulting a surgeon about removing your pain - my surgery worked but every surgery has a risk and I've known a person who sadly passed from a relatively risk free surgery

          • Donaldhump on 24/08/2019 - 15:03

            @lfclad: I’ve had/ have sciatic pain and had back surgery, I’d recommend it 100 percent as it’s instant relief

            Some risks are worth taking.

            • lfclad on 24/08/2019 - 15:05

              @Donaldhump: I'm glad your experinece was a positive one - I've had surgery and the surgeon considered it a success but I'll never be an Electrician because of the positive outcome.

              Did you try many treatments paths before surgery unclesnake?

      • TheRealCher on 25/08/2019 - 16:21

        Also studies show that surgery vs non surgical management success rates are similar. Surgery can also often lead to cimplifurther down the track.
        That said, for my brother it worked really well but because I presented atypical pain there wasn't even close to a tp% chance that it might be a long term solution.
        Thanks op for presenting the range of options/approaches

        • lfclad on 25/08/2019 - 17:14
          +1

          This is becoming more widely accepted within the industry that surgery is an option but not always the right option every time for every person - when you have pain issues like I have since my early 20's you meet a lot of people who deeply regret having an operation they thought was the cure or who we're sold on a cure.

          When I finally decided to have the operation I went to my physio who has had lots of feedback about the different surgeons she reccomends and I went and paid to 2 initial consults.

          Dr A offered to cure me of all pain I was sufferring and remove all arthritis from any disc in my back (the 2nd Dr described arthritis as any bone/calcification that can and does naturally occur as you age - osteo arthritis is what causes most people issues and every op you have leaves arthritis in places where things are removed/reshaped)

          Dr B offered to do as little as possible and told me there is no one cure and a successful outcome was getting me to back self managing any pain/impingement by myself.

          I chose Dr B as I've come across too many Dr As in my life already - Through Dr B option I am now completely pain free in areas I was told I would have pain for years to come - BUT I need to keep working at and can't completely stop exercising and stretching

          • TheRealCher on 25/08/2019 - 17:22

            @lfclad: That stretching and exercise is crucial I think - surgery or not. And I'm really glad you went for Dr b. I saw five specialists, all who promised different things. It was infuriating and confusing and depressing - I think we want singular answers and they rarely exist.
            Thanks for creating this discussion - I think as you've seen from the response, many of us are encountering issues that are similar. I have spinal stenosis which leads to referring pain, possibly sciatic. There's also discussion about arthritis affecting the pelvic and mid thorasic region. It's not what I expected before I turned 45, but life never is :)

            • lfclad on 25/08/2019 - 17:48

              @TheRealCher: I agree the stretching and exercise can be as crucial as a surgical option - regular exercise of many kinds can help espeically with your back.

              I can imagine that would be very depressing and agitating having all those different answers and options - have you decided on an option or get a better feel from one specialist?

              I've had stenosis since my early 20's and was quite shocked when my surgeon went in and had to a lot more than he bargained for - I have had almost a complete physical body of scans since my early 20's trying to find an answer to chronic knee/ITB and then sciatic issues and it was never looked for or found - can I ask how they found yours?

              And I completely agree with you about life - in the exeprience I've had very little is straight forward and I've learnt by almost 40 to try and focus on what I can change and push aside what I can't and make the best of what I have got rather than what I want or haven't got

              • TheRealCher on 25/08/2019 - 18:17

                @lfclad: Thankfully I got to deal with 20 years of mental illness after being a teenage alcohol and drug addict. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it taught me an amazing amount about "I can"… And what is needed to keep being able to say that. It's why I identify with what you've written about the ongoing exercise/stretching. I'm a walker and a traveller and I had to make a clear mental choice that said, OK, if you want to go walking in the snow in Japan or striding down NYC streets, you don't choose the go to bed and do nothing option. For a day, yes. But after that, even if it's cleaning the teeth, it's something.
                With the stenosis they actually found it in the first round of scans… That specialist told me that he'd seen worse, but normally in 65 year olds who'd had car accidents. He lacked bedside manner but did help me see a few things really clearly.
                The big thing was going to the four other surgeons/specialists, having 4k of tests done which were not claimable (I was lucky though - at the time my brother had to have his discectomy, he didn't have PH and the cost was over 12k for three nights)…. Each identified a different thing, one said sure no probs, another said if you have the surgery it might work but it might be another nerve that's affected so you'll have post surgery pain and still the same leg/spine pain. Another said, OK, while you can still move and the pain is under 5 (though I agree that scale is messed up - some of us have very high pain tolerance levels lol) we're not touching it but you have to keep active.
                He was the best one in that he could explain for the most part what was happening and also give me a clearer picture, without encouraging me to have surgery. Someone who undercuts his own business seems reasonably honest.
                So I do a thing called flexifit once a week, try to walk as much as possible, take lyrica but keep the dosage low, and take panadol osteo. I've got to head back to the neurologist because of the thorasic stuff - again, I get yo be thankful because I haven't seen him for two years, and grumpy because I get charged as a new patient lol
                And I agree totally with yr last statement… Its a hard one to learn, especially when you look around and see others. But we can't know what suffering they have, and we can only hope to use what we know about ours to keep going, and help others if we can.

                • lfclad on 25/08/2019 - 19:13
                  +1

                  @TheRealCher: Given what you have faced I am amazed you can have such a balanced view of your current issues you are now facing - truly that is incredible!

                  I've never heard of flexifit and googling it and reading it make my back hurt - but that's what it's all about we could suffer the same injury and the same old 1-10 of the pain scale and be able or not able to do the same job/tasks/exercises.

                  It sounds like you are controlling everything you can within reason and seeking help for what you can't control which is a great balance although I'm sure you're bloody well tired of juggling all the balls just like I get at times especially in a Melbourne winter!

                  It doesn't mean much but from one chronic sufferer to another congrats on what you've faced and how you're facing it

                  • TheRealCher on 25/08/2019 - 22:48

                    @lfclad: Thanks. That means a lot, and I appreciate how you understand :)
                    The flexifit can be intense but it's worth it. I've found Pilates and hydro-based activities have been beneficial as well, like you :) I resist cardio with all my grumpy well-being… Quick striding is enough lol

                    And definitely know what you mean about juggling… 95% of the time you get so good at it you don't realise yr doing it.

                    Keep up your recovery and health! I'm really glad you've had the great outcome!

  • Chris Topher on 24/08/2019 - 17:31
    +2

    The only medical advice on the internet to follow through on is "see a qualified medical practitioner"

    As lfclad has done here, discuss experience without recommending it. If you are interested read this post again.

    • lfclad on 25/08/2019 - 17:15
      +1

      You've very succuinctly described what I'm trying to convey - Don't trust Dr Google, some forum advice or your mate down the road - trust a health professional who you know, trust and believe is looking after your best interests as required

  • macfudd on 24/08/2019 - 22:48
    +1

    Be interested to know the name of the procedure you had Ifclad, also what you did for rehab post-surgery.

    A couple years ago I went through similar (bulged disc pinning a nerve in my case). I had the option of getting the disc replaced but opted for a microdiscectomy (where they scrape away the stuff that bulged out). Surgery went great, almost total recovery, then 3 months later it rebulged from another injury but worse than before. I tried to stick it out as we'd literally just had our first kid, but after 4 months it was clear it wasn't possible (breaking down crying in the supermarket from pain isn't fun).

    Opted for a re-do microdiscectomy, was told to anticipate 5 days in hospital but was in overnight and discharged the next evening. Could have gone home a touch sooner but I wanted to wait another hour for the hospital dinner as my partners cooking is terrible. Most symptoms gone but some reduction in skin sensitivity in patches on my leg/feet. I have to maintain my excercises & stretches or there is a noticable increase in symptoms.

    In hindsight, I wish I'd tried a pain management course before the first surgery. But given my back is almost certain to bulge again at some point then I will likely face that decision again. Hopefully not for a long time.

    Oh, I went public, not private, I had about a month wait for surgery each time after the hospital consulation with the specialist. My area (Western Melbourne) does apparently have a decent reputation for neurosurgies and lower waitlists which was lucky. I also learned to check the exclusions more closely in health insurance PDS's.

    • lfclad on 25/08/2019 - 14:33
      +1

      I had l3/l4/l5/s1 discectomy, laminectomy and also had the bones around thecal sack widened (can't remember technical term) and there was another terminology that basically meant on top of all that the had relaign/make free the my spinal column behind all these vertebrae as the spinal cord was squashed from the size of your small finger to a straw.

      I feel for you as post op for the best part of 4 weeks I had no feeling in my foot whatsover and this greatly delayed my recovery time and quite frankly scared the shit out of me.

      Your issues sound very similar in that I've accepted my back and can do what it wants when it wents and I can only control my reaction to whatever it does.

      Having said that I currently strectch, do ab exercises, weights, hydrotherapy, pilates and walk to keep the lower back moving as it should and the body functioning as best it can.

      I'm really glad you had a good experience with the with surgery in the western suburbs of Melbourne - I live in Truganina and was on a wait list for Footscray hospital for the best 4 years for pain managament program in the public system and have been kicked off the wait list because who knows - your exeperience sounds much more straight forward than mine over this side of the city

      The wonderful thing about pain managment is that you can do it at any stage (apart from directly post op) and if you're open and ready to change it can change your life in a great way without having as serious side effects as other treatment paths - even if you can't link in with a pain management program because of time or financial reasons (lots of courses for 1st time patients can be 4-6 weeks live in) you can also search pain management programs and then see if the Drs, Physios, OTs and Psychs practice privately.

      I hope that you find relief from what you've suffered previously - if you're open to pain management some of the big hospitals do treat in the city have lots of proven success with their programs

  • whodidthat on 25/08/2019 - 18:35

    I know back problems all too well.
    Mine started in the mid 80's when I damaged a disc. My trade was horticulture.

    One of my discs finally blew out in 2006 when our daughter was swinging between the wife & myself. I had to sleep on the floor, couldn't get on the bed. First surgery was 2007. It was successful, done by a well known neurosurgeon. However, I developed complications. Including stomach issues, immune system issues (one being eosinophilic eosophogitis) and a rare form of gout. I was seeing 4 different specialists for years. Many tests, a chemotherapy drug, operations and so many hospital stays. I've had another two back surgeries, now it's on the verge of blowing out again. I was told the next operation would be fusion.

    I had a rotten Christmas, ending up in hospital for pain in my side. More tests. They found that I have avascular necrosis in both ball joints of my hips. Further tests a couple of months later, they also found osteoarthritis in both hips. Great fun 🙄 They tell me I will need both hips replaced.

    • lfclad on 25/08/2019 - 19:02
      +1

      That sounds truly brutal path you've have had to tread - you have done well to just be and survive with what you have faced. Some people seem to be lucky when it comes to health and go through life with very little issues but some of us aren't so lucky and it can be dead depressing at times!

      I'm going to be awful and ask has anyone suggested pain management treatment programs to you? The program I have been apart has quite a lot of people who are recovering from or have cancer and even though they are facing incredible odds they have still had a lot of success practicing what they've been taught.

      It's not for everyone and it's one of those things that you will only get out what you are able or willing to put in put a hospital pain management program really could offer if nothing else some hope for you to face what sounds like a very diffuclt path that you're on

      • whodidthat on 26/08/2019 - 18:21

        It is difficult, depressing and frustrating.
        Today, even walking around the house is a challenge 🙄 got the shooting pains down my right leg again. No feeling at all on the bottom of my right foot and up most of the leg to hip.

        I've been through physio but they couldn't do much, they were concerned at making things worse. So gave me excercises I can do at home - which I do.
        I've been through pain management once, but that was over a year ago. They gave me similar exercises to do and how to manage. There's no painkillers that work any more, even IV morphine does nothing. I take Lyrica to help a bit with nerve pain, dose has been increased twice so far.

        I'd love to do every I used to do, especially horticulture. But the doc & specialists ruled out horticulture completely. When it's been something you've loved doing since being a kid, that damn well hurts!

        I've been running a small business online for a while, but this year, I've had to scale that back a bit as I just can't sit at the computer on a regular basis. I tried a laptop but we don't get along, lol.

        Thanks very much, both of you, for your thoughts. Much appreciated.

        I wish all those with back problems well, it's something people don't see so difficult for them to understand what it does to you.

        • lfclad on 27/08/2019 - 19:17
          +1

          I trailled Lyrcia quite some time ago and it helped me but I felt like a bloody space cadet and it blocked too many other things - personally when my back pain was at it's peak I found Endep 150mg (helped with sleep, anxiety, depression and dulls my nerve pain) and voltaren 50mg twice daily with ice packs to area giving me most grief helped (got told hot pack would be better but ice worked - who knows why.

          They still don't seem to have a great handle on what can treat purely nerve pain but has your GP trailled Endep with you before? A pain managment sepcialist recomended for my circumstances trailling lyrica, endep and an anti inflam in different doses at different times of day to try break the nerve signals reguarly to allow me to get back to self managing a little better - I'd not reccomend to you but you could ask your GP about seeing a specialist with that skill set to try mix things up??

          I used to have a very fixed view on my pain but I saw a psych who offered me 3 times to trial canabis products (so I gave him the flick after 1 session) but he did put to me something I've made a core value since - just because I have some pain that seems completely uncontrable or absolutely un treatable - how do I know that there isn't a treatment out there now that could help? How do I know what treatment that could exist in the future? It gave me the idea of hope again (and then I never went and saw that guy again!!)

          I'm with you on the losing what you love thing - I was an site installation electrician on the big sites around Melbourne - my last project before my knees/back gave out was Eureka towers - I loved the pay, got a lot of releif from other issues by working with my body/hands and worked with a great crew of guys too - I grieve for that career but have tried to best use my skills since - I'll probably not be able to work full time as my issues are like a part time job but thankfully I'm back to 4 days a week

          And I completely agree with you regarding back issues - I've even found some people who suffer back pain and it has an end date view it differently but people who are long term sufferers or managers can share a 10 minute conversation and can completely relate to what you're feeling!

          I hope even in sharing what I'm sharing maybe sparks a little hope that perhaps one day you'll find a way to be in less pain, or feel you're managing it a little better - it's not much I know but I hope it can help in someway

          • whodidthat on 27/08/2019 - 23:14

            @lfclad: Your understanding helps a great deal. Not many do understand.

            Yes, I get a bit spaced out on Lyrica (twice a day) as I am now and do find it affects "personal performance issues" as well as not being safe to drive.
            I have had Endep. At one time, I had so many different tablets, the cupboard looked like a chemist display, lol. I could have sold them on the street & made a fortune! 😂
            It worked for a while but…..
            I wish I could take anti inflammatories but specialist said no as I have kidney damage. During one hospital stay, pain was so bad they were going to try it as a suppository and had it sat on the table ready. But then they said no.

            I didn't take the Lyrica this morning as I needed to go out this afternoon shopping, I had to lean on the supermarket trolley and the pain was getting worse. Stabbing pain in both hips as well 😖 took one as soon as I got in, along with paracetamol. Damn nuisance!!!

            I'm going to make an appointment with GP tomorrow to see what he says.

            • the Unforgiven on 29/08/2019 - 01:13

              @whodidthat: I am on Lyrica 2 x 300mg a day & I doesn't space me out - weird. the doctor gave it to me last year for the squealing noise in my head, it went for awhile, I could hear birds chirping, the first time since I was a kid, but the noise has come back nearly as bad as b4 :( I didn't know Lyrica was for nerve ending pain like sciatica. I too had Endep, but it mustn't have worked as I remember that just sitting in my drug draw. I am waiting to see a specialist about my kidneys since January as my lower legs swelled up so much I am on heaps of diuretics to keep them down. I can't take anti inflammatories because I have too many peptic ulcers :( they were nice when I took them decades ago

              • whodidthat on 30/08/2019 - 00:11
                +1

                @the Unforgiven: Lyrica effects differ with everyone, much like other medications. They've been using Lyrica for nerve pain & sciatica for quite a while now. OxyContin used to zonk me out, but I climbed the dosage ladder, then they were useless. As I mentioned, even IV morphine does nothing. One hospital trip last year, in the ambulance I was given four lots of morphine on the way, at the hospital another dose, then endone and paracetamol, then something else, then valium. All in the space of 3 hours. Nothing worked 🙄

    • TheRealCher on 25/08/2019 - 22:51
      +2

      Big wishes of strength and a lot of squirming at what you've been through. It sounds full on, hideously painful and hard to manage. I hope that you can find small moments of rest and joy in amongst all of this

  • the Unforgiven on 26/08/2019 - 00:47

    I used to have lipping of L4 & L5
    But now I have C2, C3 & C4 arthritic on one side & bulging on the other
    They can only operate on one, not three, so they can't do anything surgical to my back; I just have to live with it
    I also had bad sciatica (I couldn't stand for more than 2 minutes at a time, it is better now); I had a cortisone injection in my sciatica nerve (that is the worst pain I ever had, and they said they gave me an anaesthetic injection before hand)
    I don't have much feeling in my feet due to my bad back, it feels like you walk bare-feet on frozen grass for awhile then a giant comes along & crushes your foot; then you put your socks & shoes on & off you go
    My hips aren't the best either
    I make do with Norspan & paracetamol & my 'shine'

    • whodidthat on 26/08/2019 - 18:31

      Not good at all ☹️ certainly no fun coping with it. The foot feeling - I get it!
      I've had two of those cortisone injections over the last few years. They were hoping each one would help for some time. I only got 2 weeks relief after both.
      The first was quite funny. They told me to take my time getting up. After a while, I thought I was okay to stand…..well, I almost fell over. When I did get my balance, I was a bit like the dentist on one of the Mr Bean episodes 😂 as I left the room, my right leg was going all over the place. Would have been great to have got it all on video, lol.

      • the Unforgiven on 26/08/2019 - 18:53

        When I had the cortisone injection, they said they didn't know how long it lasts; I was lucky with mine
        But you having 2 of those things, did you yell blue murder when they put the cortisone in the nerve in your back, or did they do a good job with the anaesthetic?
        You got the wobbly boot, they are fun to watch, but I have seen that after people have way too much to drink
        The feet thing is weird eh, I had to buy these one size fits all feet thongs to keep them from the cold tiles on the kitchen floor; who puts tiles in the kitchen in cold Tassie? Well my feet get fat if I don't take all these diuretics due to kidney problems & those thongs keep coming off & I don't feel the difference until I am higher in one leg than the other. having not much feeling in the feet is weird, especially while driving
        I remember I got a used car in Bairnsdale once & had to rego it b4 I drove home, my back was out that bad the inspector was in favour of me drinking to ease the back pain; but he said wait till I you get in the sticks first. I was coming up near McKillops Bridge & the road is single gravel lane with drops down to 1 kilometre if you go over the edge; no barriers either, real scary stuff. I had to stop the car before I went around that section of road as I could not feel the pedals through my shoes, so I had to take them off to feel the pedals in this car I just bought. I was glad I was half cut by then too :)

        • whodidthat on 26/08/2019 - 21:13

          Yup, they did tell me they couldn't say how long the injection would work for.

          Bearing in mind that I have bad needle phobia, both were a bit testy for me but they did put plenty of anaesthetic in first. I felt the second more than the first, but it was at a different place.

          I've had so many tests like MRI with tracer, x-rays, body scan with tracer, etc., it's a wonder I don't glow, lol.

          Oh yes, I was chuckling away to myself with the wobbly boot.

          I find the numb foot thing irritating. I keep running it on covers, etc., trying to get some feeling. I used to lean down and massage but can't do that now. Tiles in the cold…..brrrr.

          • the Unforgiven on 26/08/2019 - 22:14

            @whodidthat: I too hate needles, but they gave me a CAT scan to find the sciatica nerve, while I was lying on my back, so I never saw the needle, but man, I really felt that cortisone going in.

            are you going to have another one? it might last longer this time. I think mine was 2 or 3 years ago, it still starts hurting when I stand too long, but it is OK as my back hurts before the sciatica hurts too much :)

            where did they give you the needle? mine was in the lower back to the right side, as it was the right sciatica nerve that they were aiming for. Once they found the nerve they marked it, then they waited for the doctor to come & give the injection. Mine was done in Canberra, near the Mint I think

            • lfclad on 27/08/2019 - 19:25

              @the Unforgiven: I'll 3rd that I hate needles club - I've had a few in spots I never want them again - I used to think I used to get a bit of a hot flush feeling but coped with them well as I'm a big 6 foot grumpy looking man - one nurse said to me one day "How long have you been near fainting when you get autlogous injections?".

              I almost fainted when she said I faint at needles - didn't know where to look or what to do!! Felt a tad sheepish after that….

              I don't know if you guys found this but for 48 hours after a general anathestic my pain responses we're brilliant - then the next day absoluetly horrid!

              • the Unforgiven on 27/08/2019 - 20:14

                @lfclad: I always warm doctors or dentists that I do not want to see the needle at all, I even tell the human vampires that too.

                I tell them if I see the needle I might faint & I am 6'2" & 120kgs, not small; for some reason, no-one wanted fight me when I was a kid (I was this height at 15)

                They go, "you won't, will you", I just tell them I just don't want to see the needle. I don't tell them I feel faint when it is in me, but not as bad as seeing that …..

                It sounds just like you, eh Ifclad? Do you do your own ink tank refills? Doctors give me needles, I ask for the big wide one, no need to give me those thin ones. They make my left hand shake as my right hand, which is holding the needle, gets closer to the ink tank. Luckily, I don't use the printer much, so no need for refills often. When I have to do 1, I do all of them at the same time. My hand is steadier after a few drinks thou

                I don't know about the general anathestic & pain thing bit. I know they find it hard to keep me under, my last op, I woke up 3 times; I nearly jumped off the table to scare all of them, but I fell back to sleep. I wake up quick in recovery & want to get out & go for a walk, to the pub :) In Bega hospital they had everyone looking for me, I was outside having a cancer stick, I should have kept on going to the pub. They drove me to the pub later as that was where I was staying :p I just hate the sight of needles

                • whodidthat on 27/08/2019 - 23:35

                  @the Unforgiven: I've had a few bad needle & cannula experiences. My veins often hide (I don't think they like needles either 😂). They tried putting a cannula in the underside of my wrist……oh boy!!!!!
                  On one occasion, the second toe on my right foot blew right up, heading onto the size of my big toe. At the time, I was getting inflamation like this all over the place - damn painful! They didn't know why. But they put needles into this toe - jeez! A big screamy ouch!!!! They ended up finding out that I had bad gout, which destroyed the big toe joint on my left foot - they had to screw the joint together so it fuzed. The pain after surgery was so bad, much worse than the back surgery. They eventually discovered that the gout I have is a rare form which goes into tendons. I was shown some images that were done on this special machine. It looked very interesting, lol. Those images and a write up were done by one of the junior doctors and printed in an American medical journal - so I am kinda famous 😂
                  There was some kind of competition going on about these write ups & specialist said there was a chance I would be invited over to New York as part of a presentation about this gout. I asked if I'd be put up in a 5 star hotel - he said no, you'd be in a hospital 🙄 jeez, no fair!

            • whodidthat on 27/08/2019 - 23:18

              @the Unforgiven: I had the CAT scan as well. It's hard staying still for the process.
              Mine was lower back S1. I'd try another if it can be arranged.

              • the Unforgiven on 28/08/2019 - 16:13

                @whodidthat: It is boring & hard to stay still ain't it, it is even harder when they shove that blunt burning needle in.
                They put me in head first into the cat scan, I wish they put me in the other way, it is a bit claustrophobic in that little cat scan
                Get one arranged, it might last for years like mine, it is coming up to nice walkies weather

                • whodidthat on 30/08/2019 - 00:16

                  @the Unforgiven: They have a warning on my file about needle phobia as my heart rate dropped like a stone one time, the nurses were in a panic running around 😂 so they hide them as best they can now.

                  They put me in the scan feet first on both.
                  Still need to see the doc about things, been a bit busy with a few things this week.

                  • the Unforgiven on 31/08/2019 - 21:07
                    +1

                    @whodidthat: That's funny, because we know what needles do to us; still shakes head

                    I must have had noobs when I got mine done, head first,then no wonder the cortisone going in hurt like being hit with an Irukandji

                    I make appointments everyweek usually 6 months ahead of time, I like to be in first ;)

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