Decisions about surgery

Back pain since 1989 (in remission at time of interview). Treatment: Physiotherapy, ultrasound, mobilisation. Pain management: Outpatient NHS Pain management programme. Current medication: None. Past medication: ibuprofen, co-proxamol, diazepam.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP41 >> Hoped that tests would reveal something that could be operated on but wasn't surprised that it was not possible.

Back and shoulder pain following fall at home in 1999. Spinal osteoarthritis. Treatments: Epidural steroid injections. TENS. Physiotherapy. Current medication: oxycodone (Oxycontin) Past medication: gabapentin.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP24 >> Decided surgery was not an option because she had read that the benefits were only short term.

Back pain following injury at work, 1994. Treatments: Epidural steroid injections. TENS. Pain management: Graded exercise programme. Outpatient NHS Pain management programme. Current medication: Occasional use of co-proxamol.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP31 >> Was pinning her hopes on surgery and was horrified when it wasn't an option although now realises that surgery is not always helpful.

Low back pain following injury at work, 1991. Current medication: celocoxib (Celebrex) Past medication: other anti-inflammatory.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP28 >> After surgery she experienced withdrawal side effects because the medical staff had not picked up that she needed to restart her morphine tablets.

Neck injury during surgery (hysterectomy), 1993. Surgery: Cervical discectomy followed by microsurgery to release trapped nerves. Pain managment: Out-patient pain management clinic. Medication: morphine, co-codamol (Tylex), diclofenac.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP29 >> Explains that he is always hoping that surgery will cure his back pain even if deep down he knows it is unlikely.

Back pain since, 1990. Surgery: Discectomy 1990, Discectomy 1991, Spinal stabilisation 1997, Bone fusion 2003. Treatment: Epidural steroid injections. TENS. Pain management: Going on Expert Patient Programme. Current medication: morphine, codeine, tramadol. Past Medication: fentanyl.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP46 >> Says he is one of the lucky ones because he went on a pain management programme instead of having surgery.

Low back pain since 1993. Pain management: In patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: None

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP11 >> Was told that he was not suitable for an operation but was relieved because he knows surgery is not always successful.

Back pain since motorbike accident in 1994. Pain management: Out patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: Occasionally uses anti-inflammatory drugs.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP17 >> Was desperate to have back surgery in the hope it would cure her pain. She regrets not looking up any information.

Back pain since 1958. Neck pain since 1993. Surgery: Laminectomy 1976, Fusion 1986, Posterior/Anterior Fusion 1992. Treatment: Epidural steroid injections. Pain management: In-patient NHS Pain Management Programme, Expert Patient Programme. Current Medication: co-proxamol (Distalgesic), diazepam.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP07 >> Feels that having back surgery was the worst possible decision for her and advises others to educate themselves.

Back pain since 1981. Failed back surgery syndrome. Diagnosed with Arachnoiditis, 2001. Surgery: laminectomy, correction of laminectomy and spinal fusion. Pain management: Learnt through support group and books. Current medication: distalgesic, co-proxamol, maprotoline, oxycodone (Oxycontin) during recent flare-up.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP15 >> Had researched what would happen in her operation but not what would happen after and how she would feel.

Pins and needle, numbness and neck pain since 1996. Surgery: Neck surgery for cervical mylenopathy. Treatment: Physiotherapy before and after surgery. Pain Clinic given oral steroids. Pain management: NHS outpatient pain management programme. Current medication: gabapentin, amitriptyline.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP17 >> Was frightened that sex might hurt her back but realised it was okay and that there are ways to make it more comfortable.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP13 >> Tried to get information about her shoulder operation from the internet but would have liked more information from the hospital.

Osteoarthritis. Pain in shoulders since 1980s and lower back pain since 2002. Treatment: Hydrotherapy, Cortisone injections in shoulders. Surgery: Planned shoulder replacement in the future. Current medication: Cox 2 inhibitor. Past Medication: Ibrufen.

Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP15 >> When she was deciding whether to have surgery she used the internet and asked her consultant lots of questions.

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