I have already had decompression surgery and was fortunate enough to benefit from the services of a great Neurosurgeon who really did support me 100%. That is right up until my last follow up appointment 4 weeks before his retirement when I went to see him regarding residual symptoms about 6 months post surgery.

Basically I have residual nerve damage resulting from the syrinx in my spine and it has been causing me lots of problems with pain, weak muscles and joints, mobility, dexterity in my hands and chronic fatigue.

My NS just wrote me off with an appointment to see a physio and rehabilitation treatment.

I decided that this was not pro-active enough and decided to go to see my GP with a view to getting a referral to see another Neurosurgeon at a different hospital.

So along came my appointment to go to The Walton Centre in Liverpool following booking it online.

I went to the appointment and saw a Senior Registrar who treated me with a very much more proactive approach. He told me that they would be willing to offer me a full spine and brain MRI scan and do a full investigation into what was happening with my Syrinx and CSF flow.

He told me that my MRI would be done within 4 weeks and then a follow up appointment made for a short time afterwards.

Well........ my MRI is this weekend (Very early) and I have just got a follow up appointment for February.

How positive and brilliant is that?

I am now not just sitting here wondering what the rest of my life has to offer, I have a treatment plan and positive things happening to try and help me crack on and get on with my life putting me in the driving seat.

Just goes to show that if you are not happy with your Neurosurgeon that it doesn't have to stop there.

I was told at my recent appointment that there are many people that elect to go for second opinions and change Neurosurgeons and that there is no issue at all with doing this.

If you are not happy with your current situation for any reason, go to your GP and get another referral, it simply is as easy as that.

Good luck to all that are in the situation that I was in, make that appointment with your GP and change your own situation for a more positive one.

Other Links that you may find of interest:

What a difference 7 days make

Where did you have your Op and which Neurosurgeon

Chiari in the cold weather