A ‘FUN-LOVING’ husband diagnosed with severe scoliosis died on Christmas Day after discharging himself from hospital, an inquest heard.

Cockermouth Coroner’s Court heard that James Ryder died at home in Ulverston on Christmas Day last year.

The 67-year-old grew up in Stockport and worked on various building sites until his epilepsy prevented him from working, the court heard.

His widow Carol Ryder said her late husband loved camping in his campervan but lost his mobility in the last ten years and suffered from constant pain after developing scoliosis later in life.

“It was very hard to see an active, fun-loving husband come to a standstill because of an illness,” she told the coroner.

Dr Edwards, from Haverthwaite Surgery, said Mr Ryder had progressive scoliosis of the spine which became worse over the last 15 to 20 years.

The condition became ‘very severe’ and caused him a ‘great deal of distress’, the court heard.

The scoliosis caused a significant amount of pain and restricted Mr Ryder’s ability to eat, the hearing heard.

Dr Edwards said Mr Ryder had seen several spinal specialists over the years who all concluded there was no surgical solution. Mr Ryder was treated with medication to help with the pain.

He was also a heavy smoker and showed reluctance to quit as the cigarettes offered him ‘some relief’ from his spinal problems. He was also diagnosed with COPD.

Mr Ryder was admitted to Furness General Hospital on December 19 after coughing up blood and suffering weight loss.

Dr Keating, a senior specialist at FGH, said Mr Ryder looked very weak and appeared breathless due to severe emphysema – a lung condition that causes shortness of breath.

Despite medical advice, Mr Ryder discharged himself from hospital and died just days later.

Dr Keating told the court that he believes the outcome would have been similar if Mr Ryder had remained in hospital.

Coroner Nicholas Shaw gave a cause of death of COPD and severe scoliosis.

He concluded a death due to natural causes.