New...scared and need advice please!

[HerMajesty]

Good move with the MRN.
From what i have heard from people who have had discograms, it is an unpleasant procedure but an excellent diagnostic tool. If a disc is incompetent to the point where it is torn and leaking, it may not only be causing spinal compression but also / instead, chemical radiculopathy. This is where leakage from the disc changes the chemical environment around the nerve roots and leads to an immune reaction. The result is that even in the absence of compression, there can be a severe disruption of the spinal nerve roots. The discogram can show a leak; and also show whether a disc herniation is putting pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. If it is your choice whether to take this test, it would probably be a good idea.

[Jessicac]

Thank you, I think I will go threw with the discogram. That's very interesting what you just said I had no idea about any of that, really good advice

I just need to get to the bottom of this!

[Rosemary]

Hi Jess

Do you have the option of deferring your PGCE for a year ? - just to give yourself a bit more time to try and sort things.

A friend of my daughters found her course quite stressful - that was for primary school too.

Rosemary x

[Jessicac]

Hi rosemary, thank you for the advice, I know that it's really stressful

I don't know yet, I was thinking of maybe doing this, but my plan was to do it this sep I might have to have a change of career goal altogether if this doesn't calm down, I've always wanted to teach though so it's difficult.

Thank you

Jess

[calluna]

Hello again Jess

Just wanted to point you at this article which I think you might find informative - the author is an American physiotherapist (physical therapist, or PT) and has some interesting things to say about the use of physio for helping PN symptoms. She says that her next post will be about the role of physio for PN, and I expect that will be interesting as well.

[Jessicac]

Hey calluna, I've just read the article, thank you for that. Stephanie seems to be very knowledgable in this area, so it will be interesting to read her next blog on PT. I am just in a place at the minute where I am struggling to accept this condition, as I refuse to believe that this could be my life. I am trying everything, so thanks again as i want to be as knowledgable as possible in this area.

Jess x

[calluna]

It was Helen who found it.

[helenlegs 11]

I just said on a different thread how good it was to see so many success stories coming through Jess, so try not to concentrate being stuck like this adinifitum. There is SO much more help out there now and you have us to help too.
I know it isn't fair at all to have a pelvic nerve issue at your age and this pain and worry to contend with but the fact that you are getting treatment early on and you are yonge is totally in your favour and probably outstrips the negatives.
When you think what is on offer, medication, physiotherapy, myofascial release, acupuncture, cognitive therapies, relaxation techniques and then block injections, botox, as well as the more 'unusual' ketamine, ESWT and more . . . . (just can't remeber all of them ) There are many good reasons to be positive about recovery.
Stress, tension and worry could add negatively to your pain. I'm not saying it is an easy thing to acomplish but try to think positively, or as positively as possible about all of this.
Take care,
Helen x

[greeneyes]

I thought I'd add my two cents worth about the discogram since I've had two of them. You will probably be partially sedated befoe the test begins so you will relaxed but still awake. The test involves the injection of dye into a disc and photographing ( via radiography) the disk so the doctor can look for defects . The injection is painless unless there is a problem with the disk. The doctor usually begins by injecting a healthy disk and then works downward. In my last discogram there were two disks that were painful. I was given pain medication afterward so the pain didn't last long. Compared to some other procedures I've had the discogram was pretty easy.