Infection in the spine

[Medina]

will keep it brief...

Had mri and was fully expecting that the outcome would be prolapse and need for surgery, which it was... L4 and L5

BUT the consultant was also concerned that the mri also showed a possible infection in another disc lower down (s1 i think) and has also refered for blood tests? cant find much about infections on here but from what i have googled it is all pretty damned scary...

i was prepared and had my head around the need for surgery but this infection thing came straight out the left field and i am clueless ? and scared to be honest

anyone know anything about it ??

 

[Kyle Hill]

Common spine infection is called discitis or spondylodiscitis. Mosty it occurs after or during spinal surgery, and rarely on its own. It can be very dangerous and sometimes very big surgeries are needed to clear the area. Sometimes even whole vertebrae need to be removed.

Mostly its successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics.

Regards

 

[Phoebe]

I know the situation, the words go in but don't make sense, afterwards we wish we'd writen it all down. Given the errors of communication that abound, there is a range of things that could be included here.

At this stage meaningful input would be easier after a confirmed diagnosis.

Try and get a copy of the actual scan with its attached reports, this should be available for you to view, or buy a copy.

If you get the opportunity to speak to the surgeon or his secretary again, get them to write down what the findings are. You could ask specifically what range of possible conditions could be encompassed at this stage, and if there's anything that can by the same token be ruled out.

In the meantime, do what you can to take care of your health - eat your greens, drink plenty of water, get loads of rest, avoid exhaustion, stay off alcohol, coffee, processed food, stress etc. And in the event of fevers, diarrhoea, flare-ups of pain etc, go to bed and rest, don't just take paracetamol and keep working etc. In other words, give your body's recovery mechanisms every chance - this will help ensure you are at your best if and when medical treatment is offered.

 

[Domestic Goddess]

Laurence, Please don't worry, make an appointment to see your gp as soon as possible and talk it all over with them. They should have a copy of all the reports and should have more time to go through it with you and put your mind at ease

 

[ocean blue]

Updates.. didnt need to phone my gp.. she called me ... completely out of the blue saying she had been thinking about me over the weekend and wanted to know how i was feeling / if i was ok... what a brilliant feeling that was to know that she took the time not only to care and take an interest but to phone and see how i was... we give our nhs and services some gip here but i really wouldn't live anywhere else :0)

Anyway she went through the report and basically said that the consultant has to take a belt and braces approach and to try not to worry too much... that the radiographer had said the scan did show bright area which could mean some kind of infection but doubtful ! I am pretty healthy in all other areas, temperature, no fevers, bowels etc etc ... and she said if there was a serious infection then these indications would also be present.. but it was a good idea to check it out anyway...

I have my pre ops next Tuesday and if bloods etc are ok will have surgery 3rd November

I have prepared a list of questions about the things which i don't understand and am going to ask them

If anyone is in the east midlands and is interested in having a 'back problem buddy' then let me know... perhaps where possible we could accompany each other? benefit in experience n all that ? .. seems like a plan

anyway .. will keep an eye out on here and report back on progress..

to try and 'pay back' advice... I cannot stress how important it is to be your own care manager.... check and double check everything is happening as it should, that your appointments dove tail...

If you have been refereed to a consultant consider going to see your gp and getting them to refer for the mri... tell them you have the appointment with the consultant and that u want to make sure the mri is done before you get there... that is what i did and im confident it cut 4 to 5 weeks out of the process

take care all... and remember... if we can sit here and type there are many that cant x

back soon

Laurence

 

[gcadgmnx]

pre ops all clear for everything... and i mean everything.... phew...

in 5 hours i go in for my operation... see you on the other side

L x

 

[KMBB]

Good luck

 

[Retro95]

Perhaps you'll be done by the time you read this, but best wishes all the same.

Don't tease the nurses too badly and don't eat the hospital food. Get someone to smuggle you in something considerably more nutritious, like burger and chips!

[In all seriousness, good nutrition is important for recovery, so if you're confined for a while get some really good fresh and varied stuff brought in regularly and drink lots of water.]

Mend well!

 

[Weirdy with a Beardy]

Hi all
going to stick to the post op thread now where u will see an update.. some good some bad