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MY NIGHTMARE

I was given painkillers for back pain, went to bed and woke up permanently paralysed

A DAD woke up unable to use his leg after going to bed with severe back pain - before he became completely paralysed.

Marc Burrows, 46, had been struggling with the problem for a few weeks.

Marc Burrows woke up without the use of one of his legs, now he can't use both of them
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Marc Burrows woke up without the use of one of his legs, now he can't use both of themCredit: MEN Media
He suffered with back pain for a few weeks before he lost the feeling in his legs
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He suffered with back pain for a few weeks before he lost the feeling in his legsCredit: MEN Media

He had gone to doctors complaining of the pain, but was sent away with strong painkillers.

He carried on with his work as a tiler, but a few weeks later woke up unable to use his left leg.

Both legs then became paralysed, as doctors realised he might never walk again.

An MRI scan revealed the dad had a narrowing of the spine, which can then put pressure on the nerves - also known as spinal stenosis.

The narrowing itself might not cause any symptoms initially but can then spark sudden back and leg pain, loss of sensation in the feet, weakness in the feet and legs and numbness or weakness in the legs.

If the spinal cord is compressed for a long time permanent numbness or paralysis is possible.

Marc's wife, Nicola, 46, told YorkshireLive : "Weeks and weeks and weeks and it was gradually getting worse.

"We ended up going to A&E but they just prescribed him strong painkillers and sent him on his way, but he got so much worse the next day that he lost the use of his left leg."

"They're going to remove some bone to make room at the bottom of his spine, but it still doesn't explain why he's lost the use of his knees down.

"This is the longest time we've been apart, so it's just difficult for everyone. It feels like it's happening to someone else, it's so bizarre because we're usually in constant contact all the time."

Marc's friend, Joe Pyecroft, 47, for him.

He wrote: "Buza is a self employed tiler who I'm sure you all will know . I've known the man for over 30 years, played football against and most recently with and you couldn't meet a nicer bloke.

"Unfortunately right now he's in hospital with what started as a bad back and has progressed to not been able to move his legs.

"Fingers crossed he'll be on the mend but I don't think he'll be working anytime soon.

"This is why I've set this page up because along with his medical problems I know he'll be worried about providing for his family."

His wife said an MRI revealed his spine had narrowed
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His wife said an MRI revealed his spine had narrowedCredit: MEN Media

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