The GP I had at the time made little of my trauma, so I went to a new health centre. I went as arranged and saw a new GP. She spent a bit extra time with me then asked if I would go back to the waiting room whilst she dealt with two other waiting patients.
When I went back in, she told methat she had telephoned the hospital and arranged an appointment with a neurologist, but first I must have a full body MRI scan maybe in a week or so. She also said I should have been admitted to hospital when the fracture occurred

The strange thing about this was I only visited the Doctor because I was concerned about the loose bowels and erectal dysfunction. She immediately checked my neuro (babinsky) knee reflexes (poor) and felt my spinal area (immediate spasms). She said the Neurologist wasnt sure if it was spinal or pelvic causing the looseness. I am now quite mystified since no Doctor has ever examined my back (Iatrogenisis possible legal proceedings) before (cowardice? )

My new GP referred me to a neuro surgeon who is organizing an MRI scan full body. He works in Leeds general infirmary and said that as soon as MRI results are known he will arrange an appointment in his clinic. I got a letter a few days age confirming an appointment for a MRI scan - - - - At St James hospital in their oncology wing. This Hospital is a leader in cancer treatment. It would seem that I have found some good Doctors who are looking at the problem from several angles. The Scan at ST James will also show any spinal fractures or spinal cord lesions so the neuro surgeon will be able to work if needed. It seems that many things can cause loose bowel movements. I do know that T8 vertebra is not stable and might be responsible for some spinal cord impingement, I feel that I might also have a pelvic fracture too

I had an MRI scan yesterday at St James Hospital in Leeds. They have a 3T scanner there. They scanned upper and lower spine. I wonder if the lower region is in fact a sacral fracture? The symptoms seem to say so. The neuro surgeon now has a good picture to work from. Not looking forward to the cure procedure!

Over past months I have been experiencing severe pelvic pains. The neurosurgeon said that my spine was in wonderful nick for a 75 year old. This is strange since I was told in the 1990o's that I had severe osteoporosis. I always believed it to be anticonvulsant hypocalcaemia and the scan has shown that I was right all along. I have replaced the calcium from my normal diet. The people here taking anticonvulsant medication of any kind should make sure that the doctor keeps a check on bone strength.

As is usual I have had to work out for myself as to why I am getting pelvic pain. Since I have truncal ataxia and malabsorption of vitamin E my balance leaves a lot to be desired. It should be noted that cerebellar lesions do not cause paralysis. I have paraspinal paralysis, Half of my neck is paralysed, and my right leg is quite lazy.

I can concentrate on my balance. I can concentrate on getting mobile despite the non-working muscles, but I cannot concentrate on both. The consequence has been that I have put too much load and awkward movements on to the pelvis, thereby damaging the ligaments. I believe that I have damaged the sacrum/pelvis ligaments and the pubic ligament.

I am now resting the pelvis as much as possible and have succeeded in reducing the inflammation in the pelvic region.

My GP has at last realized that I really do have a neuro problem - perhaps the use of a power wheelchair and my inability to walk has rung a few bells Maybe, just maybe, the fact that I gave him a copy of the report that I sent to the Epilepsy Research Foundation might have done the trick. He acknowledged that I have had poor medical care from Doctors. He has made a referral to a neurologist at long last ---- but I won't be holding my breath

Hi Jackie .. I was very interested to read your thread. I was put on epilepsy drugs for pain and the first lot, Gabapentin, caused me to swell up like a balloon. The second lot, Lyrica did the same and caused a severe kidney infection. I told the Doctor I wont be touching these again.

I had to laugh too, with a history of self harm and two overdoses due to depression .. and I've been on Prozac for 16 years now, they still prescribe drugs for pain that can cause depression. You have to laugh!

It should be quite interesting if I get an appointment to see a Neurologist at Leeds General Infirmary. The records kept in that Hospital contain 18 variations on a theme of hypochondria. Indeed I had to go out of the county to get a sensible diagnosis and MRI scans to show cerebellar damage and spinal cord lesions.

Blimey Jackie .. I went just down the road to The Northern General in Sheffield .. after a long round about route; having had an operation at Thornbury Hospital in Sheffield in 2004, I was diagnosed with degenerative facet joints and failed back surgery at Chesterfield Pain Clinic. I've had a long, long list of medications, including Oxycontin which is the nastiest drug I've ever had, and I have been referred to The Pain Clinic at The Northern General and am being trialed for a Spinal Cord Stimulator in May.

After reading of your experience, I feel very lucky.

Dr Hadjivassiliou at the Royal Hallamshire ataxia clinic diagnosed my truncal ataxia and spinal cord lesions after he did a 3T MTI scan on my head and a 1.5T scan of my neck. I saw an item on the web about this clinic and asked my GP for a referral.
West Yorkshire is the very worst place to be if you have neuro problems. It was a neurologist in Pinderfields who removed my drugs abruptly. That team of Neurologists were totally clueless in the field of cerebellar toxicity of antiepileptic drugs and the resulting ataxia
They referred my condition as a "bizarre gait" not ataxic gait

The main problem with drugs lies in the fact that we are all different. Consider the asbestos problems and huge publicity. The problem affects a certain group of people who are susceptable. If this were not so, then the majority of construction and engineering workers would be dead now.
The same applies to manufactured drugs. If a drug cures or supresses a condition in most people but actually kills a small percentage, then that drug will be considered to have more benefits than risks.
Many thousands of people have taken the same drugs as I but are basically unharmed. There will be a small percentage such as myself that are actually in some way allergic to the drugs. The problem lies in that Doctors do not consider the people who suffer from their prescribing, instead they boast about their successes