My story starting in 2012 when I first had a bad back which was getting gradually worse. I visited the Doctor in July and my journey began. I had an MRI and it showed I needed an operation for 2 bulging disc’s, they said it would be around November time. 

In September I got up as I was in horrendous pain and my husband managed to get me downstairs and I laid on the front room floor where I stayed for 8 hours because I couldn’t get up. The ambulance came and gave me gas and air to get me up and in bed. I stayed there for a week and was prescribed tramadol and codeine. 

My legs, feet and saddle area was now numb and I couldn’t lie flat so I was sitting and sleeping in my arm chair for 24 hours a day. I couldn’t sleep because of my terrible pain and my body began to swell up. I was now on sleeping pills, tramadol, codeine, morphine and paracetamol 

In October I had seen a spine specialist, 2 trips to A&E , numerous visits to the Dr’s and another ambulance called out and a home visit by a Dr not one of those professionals mentioned red flags or Cauda Equina Syndrome to me. 

By the middle of October I was barely walking and could only do so with a rolater. One morning I tried to get to the bathroom but wet myself before I got to the toilet and slipped on the wet floor.

My Mum took me to A&E to be tested for Cauda Equina after a telephone call to the neurologist in Sheffield who advised we go straight away. I had the test (which was a finger up my bum, could my day get any worse YES!!! )  😩

I was immediately transferred to Queens Medical Hospital in Nottingham, blue lights flashing and everything!!!

It was the most painful and the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. I arrived had an MRI and was operated on at 8.00am the following morning. 

I spent 5 days in the hospital and on the day of my discharge I was told by a specialist nurse that I had Cauda Equina Syndrome and all the numbness I had felt before the operation was with me for life, I was totally devastated. This was caused by my 2 bulging disc’s that had squashed my spine damaging my nerves leaving me with permanent damage 😪 

I spent 5 months in a wheelchair and spent hours in physio and hydrotherapy getting stronger to help me walk. I then ditched my wheelchair for 2 crutches and then 1 crutch and eventually just my 2 feet 😀 

I went back to work part time and eventually full time and then had to deal with my mental health but I’m pleased to say I am 80% there. Thanks to my amazing family and friends and especially my Mum, and husband, I wouldn’t have got through it all without them.

I am now on lots of nerve pain medication, nerve pain feels like you have been stabbed then the knife wriggled about inside you then pulled out!  Best way I describe it!! Not much fun. 

Please look up Cauda Equina Syndrome and the red flags to look out for. Do not let your family or friends go through what I went through 😀 

The red flags to look out for are below

Please donate and let’s get the word out there 

Walking a long way is a struggle for me so this will be a challenge 😊 xxxx