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"Weight gain following spinal injury"

About: Nairn Town and County Hospital / Weight Management Raigmore Hospital / Accident & Emergency Raigmore Hospital / Trauma & orthopaedics

(as the patient),

Spinal injury (car accident) 2008 has steadily reduced my mobility over time. I was told when the accident happened I would need the lower of the two damaged vertebrae fused in the future, but to hold that off as long as possible as fusion came with its own problems. I have a full time job which is quite active, I have 2 children and 2 dogs. We're renovating a house. I joined a gym and I volunteer at my children's sports clubs. 

I was as active as it is possible to be. Pain was constant but manageable. I avoided medication as much as possible but when the disc prolapsed it was agonising. Had a blue light trip to hospital with expected Cauda Equina. Registrar ready to arrange surgery, Consultant saw me for 5 minutes and sent me home. 

Battled with related incontinence. Bounced between neurology and orthopaedics because I believe it was easier than treating me. 

Referral to Pain Clinic, a course of CBD for pain management, and several courses of Physio. Followed all instructions but I can't just move more when I have a mechanical injury.

Weight increased. Glass of wine before bed turned into 2 or 3 because I couldn't sleep for the pain. Dog walks got shorter and less adventurous. I avoided family walks and cut back on site visits at work. I simply can't stand/walk upright without spine screaming until I bend over/sit. I have numb toes and fingers. Both carpal tunnels needed cut. I have developed a twitch (myoclonus) which was confined to right leg - now both legs and torso involved. 

Weight gain out of hand. I'm 5'1 for reference, so weight gain was apparent. Referral to Dietetics (Brilliant team). Lots of useful info but my diet overall not problematic (apart from the wine which I had cut ). 

Given Fibromyalgia Diagnosis - lots of tablets. Mechanical injury affecting mobility but treatment was always for Fibro only. 

Begged for a referral, waited a year, New MRI taken to compare to the MRI in 2008. Waited for Consultant - why do you keep coming back for MRIs? (Two in 14 years). You need to lose weight then your back won't hurt. No interest in the pain, the accident or the mitigating factors - I was dismissed as just fat.

Now I'm Type 2 Diabetic. I've discovered since diagnosis that lots of the Diatetic team's advice is contrary to Diabetic Nurse advice - for example I'd been encouraged to have porridge for breakfast - which is verboten for a diabetic - glucose spike - now I need a no carb diet. Diabetic nurse says they say nobody loses weight with exercise - it's all about diet. 

I'm still in pain but too fat to treat the cause. Ironically I can't move for referrals now I've been diagnosed Type 2. 

I have no life. No clothes fit. I hate being in public. I avoid going into the office for work because I hate myself. My mental health is shot. 

I was very active until my spinal pain became unmanageable and I moved plenty. I feel like a car with a broken axle being given a polish instead of being repaired, and everyone is criticising my paintwork instead of worrying how I'll cope with my axle like that. 
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Responses

Response from Sylvia Fraser, Clinical Governance Facilitator & NHS Highland Operational Lead for Care Opinion, Clinical Governance, NHS Highland 6 hours ago
Sylvia Fraser
Clinical Governance Facilitator & NHS Highland Operational Lead for Care Opinion, Clinical Governance,
NHS Highland

I am part of the overall team who manages complaints for NHS Highland and are known as the Feedback Team. We offer patients, relatives, MPs/MSPs, staff and anyone who requires assistance is registering a concern or formal complaint.

Submitted on 12/08/2025 at 10:32
Published on Care Opinion at 10:32


picture of Sylvia Fraser

Dear Weatherwax

Thank you for your post noting your concerns regarding your ongoing healthcare requirements, and your feedback regarding multiple services provided by NHS Highland.

I am sorry to hear of your experience following your car accident in 2008.

We would like to review this matter formally on your behalf to see if the teams can provide you with any further input regarding your complaints.

If you would like to progress this further please contact NHS Highland Feedback Team via email at nhshighland.feedback@nhs.scot or by calling us on 01463 705997. A member of the team will call you back to discuss your concerns further and let you know if they can offer any further advice.

I can also confirm that your post has been forwarded to the Orthopaedic Service Manager for their attention.

With kind regards

Sylvia

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