I am so sorry to hear of your suffering.Absolutely agree with you .Dont give up.I suffered thoracic trauma 3 months ago, which has affected all aspects of my life.I cant run my business so we are broke..i cant care for my boy..and Im trapped at home with poor limb control,disfunctional bowells and constant pain.. My consultant had done the same as yours. I got really down as I felt my life was terminated as I knew it(pain can drive you nuts)..then i got mad. I felt furious that Id been put on the scrap heap.I was told it could take up to 5 years to resolve!!!!I really got mad and decided i this was unhumane and I was gonna go down fighting..I wasnt ready to give up(I nearly did..it gets to you ..eh!)
This is what I did (for my son as much as me)
1 I researched my condition fully..this helped me to understand I wasnt nuts..my symptoms were explicable and the problem seemed to be that it was extremely rare(symtoms of calcified multiple thoracic prolapse).This meant that it was often poorly diagnosed and surgeons are more reluctant to do surgery as they are less experienced in this area.Hence the pain killer and platitudes approach.could this be your problem?I cant imagine your condition is at all common and thoracic surgury can be very extreme for most surgeons.
2 I then trailed the internet for solutions to my dilemma. I discovered that some surgical approached can be done endoscopically ie in a minimally invasive way.Recovery was quick and risks greatly reduced. I then found as many specialists as I could who performed that procedure from as far as India to 60 miles down the road(they dont do it in my area). I emailed a few and explained my problem.Some do carry out trials and may accept you for free..its worth finding out. I dont particularly want surgery but what I do want is a medical opinion that is NOT influenced by a lack of skill in a particular procedure.I just want my life back or a near back as I can get it.
3 As a result of a few weeks of effort I now have an appointement with Professer of neurosurgery who does do endo scopic surgery( i was cheeky to email him but hey..you dont get ..if you dont try..)Now if this guy tells me thats it..then Ill have to deal with it (I dont think he will..) but ive given it my best shot. Having researched my condition i now that time is of the essence and the longer it is left ..the smaller the chance of full recovery.that kinda spurred me on...my boy had suffered enough..having to do alot of the chores..i also knew that what i had been told previously was not completely correct but a cop out..
I wish you all the luck in the world.I hope this has helped...Dont let one guy tell you thats it....you know its not...
gwenth