Teresa Compton

I had back problems for some months and was going back and forth to see my gp.

In may 2004 I woke up at 7 am with a strange sensation and my back went into what i can only describe as a spasm, following this i was in excruciating pain, My husband called for the gp who inturn called the ambulance service as i was to go to hospital.

4 days later I had an mri scan which showed a seqensated disk and a rupture at L4 L5 which was compromising the spinal cord i.e. crushing my spinal cord.

In the four days I had become paralised below the waist.

I was operated on day 5 and had a laminetamy and discectomy.

I was left with and still have poor bladder and bowell function and the backs of my legs, bum and feet are numb.

I have been diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome.I am currently awaiting a spinal fusion as my spine is unstable and I have another protruding disk which is altering sensation and bowel and bladder function.

I am on oramorph every 2 hrs and am in a great deal of pain and i am unable to walk or sit , I just have to lie down now.

I hope that the surgery (spinal fusion) well help the pain and improve it to such an extent that i am able to walk unaided.

That is my story so far

Teresa Compton, UK