Help.. Pain.. :(

[Sue]

taper Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> On

> balance, your GP is probably right.

xxxxxxx

The same GP who appears to think that osteopaths have very little knowledge of anatomy and physiology that would be, yes?

:))

[philip walker]

Hi All,

Quick update. After lots of advice re seeing an Osteopath I spoke to a chap (after speaking to reception I was then called back by an Osteopath Tutor!) at the British School for Osteopathy on Borough High Street who advised that I should not see an Osteopath while my GP is investigating the cause and treating the symptoms, he also said that it would be against an Osteopaths code of practice to treat me, with acute sciatic pain being treated by a GP unless directed to do so by the GP. When I mentioned my GP saying about an Osteopath having limited anatomy and physiology knowledge he said "well that is true of course".

So I am sticking with my GP, even though the pain killers are making me loopy... I am seeing Dr on Weds to discuss the results of the MRI, and then an appt with Physio on Friday, when I spoke to the Dr on Friday I think I got the message across that it was bloody painful, and since then things seem to have happened.

Thanks again for messages and private messages.

P..

[taper]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> taper Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > On

> > balance, your GP is probably right.

>

> xxxxxxx

>

> The same GP who appears to think that osteopaths

> have very little knowledge of anatomy and

> physiology that would be, yes?

>

> :))

A resounding "yes" I suggest in the light of Phillip's last response.

A good discussion of the benefits and limits of Osteopathy (albeit from a US perspective) can be found on the excellent "Quackwatch" site (here - http://www.quackwatch.com/04ConsumerEducation/QA/osteo.html).

It's always worth checking this site or Ben Goldacre's "Bad Science" when a non-conventional or "alternative" intervention is suggested. Most are quackery.

[philip walker]

Hi All,

An update, and again a thanks to people for advice and messages.

I was becoming a bit of a blubbering heap on very strong pain relief, which was changed on Friday to patches that I wear that last a week, and release morphine slowly at a controlled rate, difficult to see much difference yet but I don't feel 'high' at the moment, but do have some pain.

I had an MRI scan, and then a second. Because the waiting list for treatment is quite long I am being treated in a private clinic courtesy of the NHS, which is speeding things along. THis only happened after I started to get pins & needles in my lower leg and foot. The MRI scan shows the nerve sheath not where it should be around my hip joint. I am not entirely sure how that happens.

It looks like there will be some surgical intervention, I have an appointment in Feb with the Surgeon *groan*.

It has been so debilitating, so have the pain killers, the last few weeks are a bit of a blurr of presecription drugs and pain. Really hoping things will move along now.

My sympathies go out to anyone who has ever had sciatica or any kind of back pain. It's hard to put into words what it is like..

P..

[Ramble66]

I can't believe what I've just read. Not about your pain I truly sympathise. I would just like to clarify a few things....

As an Osteopath I can safely say that our Anatomy training is way beyond that of any GP. Maybe not a Specialist who should know the specialist area in minute detail. We do a four year intense degree which consists of two years of human dissection and more anatomy exams than I wish to remember. We had to learn the origin, insertion, action and innervation (nerve supply) of every muscle, as well as the names of each tiny bump on every bone. We even had a real skeleton for a year to study from. Leaving the skull hanging around was always fun! We also study pharmacology, paediatrics, pathology, diagnosis, physiology, biochemistry.........

A close friend of mine who is a GP said they did 1 term of anatomy in her 5 year degree. I don't mean to sound like we know everything, we don't. We are very effective at diagnosing and treating a lot of musclo-skeletal complaints including headaches and much more but we are also thoroughly trained to know our limits and what needs further investigation. A GP knows very little about a hell of a lot. We are trained musclo-skeletal experts. We use palpation and examination to aid diagnosis and seek further investigation where necessary. I see so many patients who have been diagnosed by their GP as having Sciatic. Sciatica is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom (Leg pain). It can have many different causes, from a disc protrusion/herniation, muscle spasm causing entrapment, a boney growth, vascular problems the list goes on....

I could go on but I think I'd bore you all. It just frustrates me when a patient comes in as a last resort after months/years of pain which they have suffered needlessly. Just remember an Osteo will not make things worse, we can't guarantee we can take the pain away but we are in a better position than a GP to understand what is going on and what is needed. We also know the names of all the muscles that attach to the hip joint and cross the sciatic nerve. I bet your GP doesn't.

I sincerely hope you find the treatment you need and get some pain relief. I am not convinced by surgery, it's more likely to lead to scar tissue but then I haven't seen the MRI report. If the nerve sheath has always been there why has it only now started causing problems, if it's moved there ask what has caused it. Remember not to take the pain killers on an empty stomach if they an anti-inflammatory or you'll end up with a poorly tummy too.