My chronic back pain was dismissed as ‘anxiety' – then my penis went numb & I was left on brink of total paralysis

AS a dad-of-three and manager of a busy butcher's shop, Mark Doe lived a normal life, keeping active and spending time with his kids.
But all that changed when he began experiencing excruciating lower back pain.
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The 36-year-old from Swindon, Wiltshire, was 34 when a painful set of symptoms began.
He started suffering pain across his lower back, pins and needles in his lower extremities, a constant ache and weakness down his left-hand side.
Mark loved his job as a butcher, but found he could no longer stand for long periods of time.
Simple things, such as playing with his kids and bathing himself, also became too difficult.
Mark's past medical history includes hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and asthma - but he told Sun Health these were unrelated to his sudden back pain.
In December 2023, eight months after his symptoms started, it all became too much, and he decided to make an appointment to see a neurologist.
During the appointment, he underwent a scan which revealed a small bulge in his L5-S1 joint - also known as the lumbosacral joint - where two regions of the spine connect.
A disc bulge or herniation is generally not considered life-threatening, but can be serious depending on the severity and whether it's causing nerve compression.
Mark says: "It made sense for my symptoms.
"They recommended no further treatment, just to carry on with my pain medication."
Unexpected everyday habits that could be causing your back pain
But Mark's symptoms became worse.
He says: "I was in pain daily in my lower back and legs. The pins and needles became a daily occurrence and I would sometimes feel numbness down my legs.
"I had to use a walking aid on my worse days."
'Docs told me symptoms were anxiety'
Mark made another appointment to see a neurologist - but this time was told his symptoms were related to anxiety.
"I'm on medication for my anxiety and ADHD," he says.
" I told the doctor my symptoms and he discharged me saying it's all my anxiety, despite looking at the previous scan I had a year ago.
"He didn't send me for another scan, just upped my mental health medication.
"I felt really let down and lost, and thought I just had to put up with the symptoms I had."
But just three months later, Mark suffered a terrifying episode of lower back pain that nearly left him paralysed.
In March this year, he bent over to pick up a small object off the floor and felt a pop in his lower back. The pain radiated into his buttocks and down his legs, causing pins and needles.
He also felt reduced sensation over his penis, didn't pass urine for 12 hours, and continued having no urge to pee.
He recalls: "It was very bad, I couldn't move with the immense pain.
"I would scream out every time I moved. So my wife, Leah, and kids helped me lie down flat on the floor, rang 111, they asked a load of questions, then said they'd send an ambulance as an emergency.
"They arrived, got me on gas and air and were constantly taking my stats.
"They tried to carry out checks, but I screamed out with tears falling down my face.
"This resulted in a second ambulance being called out that had to bring morphine."
'Could have been paralysed'
Once Mark reached the hospital, doctors suspected he had cauda equina syndrome - a rare but serious condition where the nerves at the very bottom of the spinal cord are compressed.
These nerves are responsible for controlling bladder and bowel function, as well as sensation around the genitals, back passage, bladder and bowel.
Mark says: "Through the night, things got worse.
"I had an MRI scan, then they came and had to catheterise me, I was unable to pass urine, even with a bladder stimulating machine.
"The results of my scan revealed the small bulge had grown much bigger and was crushing my nerves.
"If I'd left it any longer, I could have been paralysed and needing a catheter for the rest of my life."
Mark was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome, and immediately feared that he'd never be able to be independent again.
He says: "I was very scared when they told me. I wasn't sure whether I'd ever walk again, or even be able to use the toilet."
By this point, Mark's condition had become very serious, and he was quickly told he'd need urgent surgery.
He added: "A surgeon spoke to me and said this had been going on for some time, and I needed emergency surgery.
"I had to fill in a consent form, then within 15 minutes I was in a surgical room.
"The operation was on my L4 and L5 joints, and the surgeon said he was glad I opted for the surgery, as it was very bad."
'Felt humilated'
Mark was in surgery for nearly five hours, and afterwards, overrun with exhaustion and still in a lot of pain.
He says: "Recovery has been very difficult. I was bed-bound for six weeks, had so much pain, and needed a Zimmer Frame to get around the house.
"My daughter was five months old and I couldn't pick her up or hold her.
"I felt very humiliated having to send my older children out of the room each time I needed the toilet, as I had to use toileting aids.
"It not only affected my life but my family's. My wife had to care for me, she would help me wash, dress, and bring me anything I needed, all while caring for a five-month-old, two older children, 14 and eight years old, two animals and the house.
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"My eight-year-old struggled with the change in the home dynamics. She refused to enter the room with me at first as she was scared.
"She had to have extra support at school to understand the emotions she was feeling."
Two years on, Mark is still in pain, with aches, shocks, and pins and needles in his lower back, bottom, and legs.
He's since regained feeling in his lower extremities - he was relieved when the catheter was removed.
Mark adds: "I do still have some issues with not knowing if I've finished going for a wee.
"My symptoms haven't affected my relationship with Leah. We have a very tight bond and she's been very understanding and helpful through this whole ordeal."
What is Cauda Equina Eyndrome?
Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is compression of the spinal nerves at the tail end of the spinal cord.
These nerves are responsible for controlling bladder and bowel function, as well as sensation in and around your genitals, back passage, bladder and bowel.
When these nerves become compressed it can affect their function, and urgent attention is needed.
But the condition is rare, occurring in one to three in 100,000 people.
CES most commonly results from a massive herniated disc in the lumbar region.
A single excessive strain or injury may cause a herniated disc, however, many disc herniations do not necessarily have an identified cause.
If you have suddenly developed or noticed a rapid change in two or more of the following symptoms within the past week, you should attend A&E immediately.
Loss of feeling or pins and needles between your inner thighs or genitals
Numbness in or around your back passage or buttocks
Altered feeling when using toilet paper to wipe yourself
Increasing difficulty when you try to urinate
Increasing difficulty when you try to stop or control your flow of urine
Loss of sensation when you pass urine
Unaware of leaking urine or recent need to use pads
Not knowing when your bladder is either full or empty
Inability to stop bowel movement or being unaware of leaking
Loss of sensation when you pass a bowel motion
Change in ability to achieve an erection or ejaculate
Loss of sensation in genitals during sexual intercourse
Source: NHS
Mark is now having regular physiotherapy, but says there's no short fix for what he's been through.
Doctors have said he may not make a full recovery and may require further spine surgery.
He still has a moderate-sized bulge on his joint, below the spot where he had the surgery.
It's all to do with how long his nerves were crushed for as to how damaged they got, he adds.
He explains: "This has changed my life massively.
"If the doctor I had for the second appointment had sent me for a scan, maybe this could have been prevented or not been so bad.
"Because one of my symptoms was anxiety, doctors jumped to conclusions and said it was that when it wasn't.
"My message to others out there - don't give up, keep on at doctors, don't do it alone and seek advice and help from family friends.
"This has been seriously life-changing and I don't wish this on anyone."

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