Latest news with #Alzheimer'sScotland
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
GPs told mum back pain was normal for 10 years – but scan exposed chilling truth
WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT: Julie Coleman, from Scotland, has urged patients to not back down when it comes to disputing a doctors opinion - it comes after a tumour went undetected for ten years despite her pleas for help A mum endured excruciating back pain before being diagnosed with a paralysing tumour - despite begging for help for 10 years. Julie Coleman, 33, from Glasgow, complained to doctors that she had increasing pain in her back and legs after becoming pregnant in 2014 - but health professionals told the mum she had sciatica and it would likely subside after birth. The mother, who lives with her fiancé, Stephen, 35, and their 10-year-old son, Connor, said she spent a decade fighting for answers after her "shooting" pains persisted. Despite her pleading for help from her GP, the mum was only given physiotherapy and painkillers. Julie, who used to work for Alzheimer's Scotland but is now starting a remote customer service job due to her health, says she 'lost trust' in her GP surgery. In November 2024, she was finally referred for an MRI scan which revealed a devastating diagnosis. The scan had detected a large, benign tumour growing inside her spinal cord, which has now left her unable to walk without aids. Speaking about the initial symptoms she experienced, Julie said: 'I spent the last six months of my pregnancy sitting up in bed. I couldn't lie down because it was too painful. I was told it was sciatica caused by a slipped disc in my back. They said there's no point sending you for any scans because the back surgery is too dangerous. 'It was extremely frustrating and it got to the point where I probably lost trust in my GP because I knew they weren't going to do anything. I was going to several different GPs within the same practice and they were all saying the same thing. I just thought this is me for the rest of my life.' She also started experiencing numbness in her right foot in 2022, which started in her toes. In November 2024, Julie had another appointment with a new physiotherapist, where she was finally referred for an MRI scan on her lower back, which took place on December 24 at the Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow. Julie said her physiotherapist called her on New Year 's Eve to say the scan had revealed 'changes in my spinal cord'. On January 9, Julie had an appointment with a neurosurgeon at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where she had a full MRI scan on her spine and head. Later that day, she was told a large tumour was growing inside her spinal cord – the suspected cause for the symptoms she had been experiencing for the last 10 years. 'I was really shocked as I had been trying to say something was wrong the whole time,' she said. Julie had the operation to remove the tumour on January 28 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and said she was 'very grateful' to the doctors who treated and supported her. Tests were also conducted on the tumour where it was found to be a schwannoma, an uncommon non-cancerous tumour that covers nerves. Despite the success of the operation, the damage to Julie's nerves may have been done – as she was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury while in hospital and now cannot feel anything below her right knee. Since returning home on February 18, Julie uses a Zimmer frame to move around her home and needs a wheelchair for longer distances. "I have random patches on my legs and stomach that are completely numb,' she said. "Most of my pain was down my right leg so that has obviously had the most damage to the nerves.' Julie added it could take up to two years to determine whether her symptoms will be permanent as there is a chance her feeling could return. She and her fiance, Stephen, are due to tie the knot in July – and Julie said her son will be walking her down the aisle where she will use crutches. Speaking about her plans, Julie said: 'Of course, I hadn't imagined this would be how I would walk down the aisle and no-one grows up thinking one day they won't be able to walk down the aisle unassisted. 'I was determined to walk down the aisle if it was a possibility and I'm very grateful I'm able to walk down – even if I do need a walking aid. I think we take our bodies for granted and if you feel something isn't right, keep pushing for answers.' Julie has also launched a GoFundMe page to help her and her family with any unexpected costs due to her condition, raising £225 so far. To donate visit here.
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
I'm getting married after tumour hell – we've made unique changes to have the perfect wedding
She's had to change up her wedding plans. DREAM DAY I'm getting married after tumour hell – we've made unique changes to have the perfect wedding Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM spent 10 years complaining of back pain before a large tumour was discovered growing inside her spinal cord. Now she's being forced to walk down the aisle on crutches at her wedding. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The family is looking forward to the big day. Credit: Collect/PA Real Life 4 The operation to remove the spinal cord tumour came after she fought for answers. Credit: Collect/PA Real Life 4 She's adapted her wedding day to make things comfortable. Credit: Collect/PA Real Life 4 Julie urged others to 'keep pushing for answers'. Credit: Collect/PA Real Life Julie Coleman, 33, who lives in Glasgow with her fiance, Stephen, 35, and their 10-year-old son, Connor, first experienced pain in her back and legs during her pregnancy in 2014. She was told she was suffering with sciatica and her symptoms would likely subside after giving birth. When her 'shooting' leg pains persisted, Julie, who used to work for Alzheimer's Scotland but is starting a remote customer service job due to her health, spent the best part of 10 years visiting her GP surgery to raise her symptoms. But she was referred for physiotherapy sessions and prescribed painkillers instead. Julie said she 'lost trust' in her GP surgery and felt as though she would be in pain for the 'rest of my life', when in November 2024 she was finally referred for an MRI scan. This revealed a large, benign tumour growing inside her spinal cord. Faced with the prospect of becoming paralysed if left untreated, Julie underwent an operation to remove the tumour in January this year. It's thought the damage to her nerves may have been done as she has been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury and cannot feel anything below her right knee. With her July wedding on the horizon, Julie said she will walk down the aisle on crutches and she and her fiance will be seated for the ceremony, and she has launched a GoFundMe page to help her family cope with any unexpected costs due to her condition. Julie said: "I worked very hard and am now home, I can walk with crutches from my front door into a car. "Any further than that and I am still using a wheelchair. I have lost power and sensation in my right foot which has not yet returned. Watch bizarre moment man clings to helicopter as it takes off at lavish wedding after 'begging for a ride' "Doctors are unsure if this will ever return however nothing is certain until two years after which they then expect any changes will be permanent. "I am looking for support to raise funds for general new and unexpected costs. "I have also had to leave my current job, I am lucky I have been offered a different job working from home however this has come at a massive wage cut. "I'm sure you can empathise that although wages go down, bills do not. "Any donation is much appreciated and I hope my story inspires anyone going through something similar, or feeling like they know more is going on than health professionals believe, to keep pushing and advocating for yourself."
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Mum in agony with 'sciatica' for 10 years - but true reason could have left her paralysed
Julie Coleman, 33, first experienced back and leg pain when she was pregnant in 2014 and spent the best part of 10 years visiting her GP surgery to raise her symptoms A mum who spent a decade complaining of back pain before a large tumour was found growing inside her spinal cord will walk down the aisle on crutches at her wedding. Julie Coleman, 33, first experienced pain in her back and legs during her pregnancy in 2014 and was told it was sciatica that would likely subside after giving birth. However, when her "shooting" leg pains persisted, Julie, who used to work for Alzheimer's Scotland, spent nearly 10 years visiting her GP surgery, only to be referred for physiotherapy sessions and prescribed painkillers. Julie, who lives in Glasgow with her fiancé Stephen, 35, and their 10-year-old son Connor, said she "lost trust" in her GP surgery and felt she'd be in pain for the "rest of my life". It wasn't until November 2024 that she was finally referred for an MRI scan, which revealed a large, benign tumour growing inside her spinal cord. Faced with the prospect of paralysis if left untreated, Julie underwent an operation to remove the tumour in January this year. However, the damage to her nerves may have already been done, as she's been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury and cannot feel anything below her right knee. Julie, whose July wedding is fast approaching, has made the brave decision to walk down the aisle on crutches and plans for a seated ceremony with her fiancé. She has also set up a GoFundMe page to support her family with unforeseen expenses due to her medical condition. "Of course, I hadn't imagined this would be how I would walk down the aisle and no-one grows up thinking one day they won't be able to walk down the aisle unassisted," Julie said. "I was determined to walk down the aisle if it was a possibility and I'm very grateful I'm able to walk down – even if I do need a walking aid. I think we take our bodies for granted and if you feel something isn't right, keep pushing for answers." Julie's ordeal began with back pain and "shooting" sensations in her right leg during her 2014 pregnancy with her son. Although initially diagnosed with sciatica by her GP, which she chose not to name, the discomfort persisted beyond childbirth. "I spent the last six months of my pregnancy sitting up in bed, I couldn't lie down because it was too painful," Julie recalled. Despite giving birth, Julie's pain remained, leading her on a decade-long journey involving countless GP visits, physio sessions, and pain medication. "I was told it was sciatica caused by a slipped disc in my back," she recounted. "They said there's no point sending you for any scans because the back surgery is too dangerous. "It was extremely frustrating and it got to the point where I probably lost trust in my GP because I knew they weren't going to do anything. "I was going to several different GPs within the same practice and they were all saying the same thing. I just thought this is me for the rest of my life." The situation took a turn when numbness began in her right foot in 2022, starting in her toes before "creeping" upwards. In November 2024, a fresh encounter with a new physio led to an MRI scan referral for her lower back, conducted on December 24 at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow. Her physio alerted her on New Year's Eve about "changes in my spinal cord" noticed in the scan. A January 9 appointment with a neurosurgeon at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow culminated in a full MRI of her spine and head. That same day, she learned of a large tumour growing within her spinal cord, likely the culprit behind a decade of symptoms. "I was really shocked as I had been trying to say something was wrong the whole time," she revealed. Julie was warned that the tumour could potentially lead to paralysis in the future due to nerve damage, and surgery was recommended as the best option. Despite the risks associated with the operation, including the possibility that not all symptoms would be "reversed", Julie decided to proceed. She underwent the procedure to remove the tumour on 28 January at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and expressed her deep gratitude towards the medical team for their care and support. The surgery was deemed "successful" with the majority of the tumour excised, though there is a chance that some fragments remain. An MRI scan scheduled for August will provide more clarity on her condition. The tumour was identified as a schwannoma, a rare, benign growth that develops from the nerve sheath, as per Cancer Research UK. Despite the surgical success, Julie's nerves may have already sustained damage; she was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury during her hospital stay, resulting in a loss of sensation below her right knee. Since her return home on February 18, Julie has been using a Zimmer frame to navigate her house and relies on a wheelchair for travelling longer distances. "I have random patches on my legs and stomach that are completely numb," she shared. "Most of my pain was down my right leg so that has obviously had the most damage to the nerves." Julie revealed that it could take up to two years to determine whether her symptoms will be permanent as there is a possibility her feeling could return. She and her fiancé, Stephen, are set to get married in July, with Julie's son walking her down the aisle, where she'll rely on crutches for support. In addition, Julie has started a GoFundMe page to help her family with any unforeseen expenses due to her condition, which has raised £225 at the time of writing.
