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Original poster

Sciatica /slipped disc

542 replies

Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:29

Posting here for volume of answers.
Yesterday I moved normally and my lower back suddenly felt like it was being compressed and the pain was awful. Since then pain down one leg. The pain is like cramp but the worst cramp ever. Leg is much worse than back.
I have been screaming all night, literally in so much pain I couldn’t help it, worse than child birth. Couldn’t sit, lay or even perch. Even standing which was when it was best, it was at 9 out of 10. Hubby called 111 and paramedics were sent as I had a pulmonary embolism in Jan and I was screaming with the leg pain and he wanted to be sure it wasn’t that again. They told me to take codiene and paracetamol but it’s not doing anything really significant. They said it was sciatica, possible slipped disc causing it. What can I do to calm the pain. Obviously I’ll call dr tomorrow. Can’t take nsaids as I’m on blood thinners for blood clots. I’ve had no sleep either. Can’t use topical creams for the same reason. Anyone had similar? Can anyone tell me what worked for you? Can’t stand for days though I can just about not cry if I stand. Can’t lay to sleep. Help please? I’m exhausted but the pain won’t let me lay or sit. How long will this go on for?

OP posts:
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CroftonWillow · 14/04/2024 14:32

Without NSAID's you won't be able to get any relief at home. You need to get to A&E ASAP. If it's as severe as you describe they'll likely rush you for an MRI so they know exactly the cause and possibly urgent surgery.

Mischance · 14/04/2024 14:33

It is hell - I know. I had a disc removed because the nerve root impingement meant I could not walk.

The pain is dreadful, and, like you, I could not take NSAIDs because on an anti-coagulant.

I hope you get an appointment tomorrow. In the meantime, I used a TENS machine - can you borrow one? It helped a bit; and I put heat pads down the back of my knickers.

Furball · 14/04/2024 14:34

I was just coming to say a tens machine helped my dh he'd put some on the base of his spinal area and some on his ankle and that really did help

Toottooot · 14/04/2024 14:36

Surgery was the only thing that worked.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:36

CroftonWillow · 14/04/2024 14:32

Without NSAID's you won't be able to get any relief at home. You need to get to A&E ASAP. If it's as severe as you describe they'll likely rush you for an MRI so they know exactly the cause and possibly urgent surgery.

Paramedics didn’t want to take me in. I was literally screaming and they said treat at home, they looked through meds in my med cabinet and found codiene and said that would sort it. I can’t sit to get in car. It’s 30 mins to hospital.

OP posts:
saveforthat · 14/04/2024 14:37

I've also used a TENS with some success. Amitriptyline is the only drug that works for me.

CroftonWillow · 14/04/2024 14:37

Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:36

Paramedics didn’t want to take me in. I was literally screaming and they said treat at home, they looked through meds in my med cabinet and found codiene and said that would sort it. I can’t sit to get in car. It’s 30 mins to hospital.

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Can you get a lift?

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:39

I think I have a tens machine somewhere. Dh will have to go dig it out. I felt they were only interested in if it was blood clot or not. I’m avoiding eating or drinking as I can’t use loo.

OP posts:
weekfour · 14/04/2024 14:39

Can you lie on your front?

It's bloody awful. Or maybe a bath? It doesn't help long term but maybe takes your mind off it a bit. I realise these are shit answers which are probably making you swear but they might help a bit.

saveforthat · 14/04/2024 14:39

Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:36

Paramedics didn’t want to take me in. I was literally screaming and they said treat at home, they looked through meds in my med cabinet and found codiene and said that would sort it. I can’t sit to get in car. It’s 30 mins to hospital.

Show quote history

Yes they only consider this urgent if you lose control of your bladder/bowels. If you do lose control of either, dial 999 or get someone to rush you to A&E.

DiveBombingSeagull · 14/04/2024 14:39

Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:36

Paramedics didn’t want to take me in. I was literally screaming and they said treat at home, they looked through meds in my med cabinet and found codiene and said that would sort it. I can’t sit to get in car. It’s 30 mins to hospital.

Show quote history

Can you lay down on the back seat of a car on your side? You need to be seen. I ended up having to have surgery.

Chitterchatterer · 14/04/2024 14:40

Get yourself to a and e asap and insist on a scan. Speaking from experience. Don't be fobbed off by paramedics and GPS. Worry about equina cauda instead. If you have it, you need an MRI asap, or could end up permanently disabled. That's why you need to push for this, go to a and e and push for a scan.

CroftonWillow · 14/04/2024 14:40

DiveBombingSeagull · 14/04/2024 14:39

Can you lay down on the back seat of a car on your side? You need to be seen. I ended up having to have surgery.

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As did I. I speak from experience OP.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:40

CroftonWillow · 14/04/2024 14:37

Can you get a lift?

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DH would take me it’s just coping with the extreme pain for 30 mins when I sit to get in car. I couldn’t even sit on loo for 30 secs to pee. I had to pee into a jug.

OP posts:
CroftonWillow · 14/04/2024 14:41

Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:40

DH would take me it’s just coping with the extreme pain for 30 mins when I sit to get in car. I couldn’t even sit on loo for 30 secs to pee. I had to pee into a jug.

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Fully recline the seat.

DiveBombingSeagull · 14/04/2024 14:43

I know you should travel wearing a seatbelt etc etc but honestly try lying on the back seat of the car if you can't recline the front seat, or if you know someone with an estate car get them to put the seats down, the pain sounds unbearable.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:45

Can’t lay either. Standing is the only thing I’m not out of mind with pain with. I guess I’m going to have to take the pain to get there. Maybe the tens will work enough to get there.

OP posts:
Monwmum · 14/04/2024 14:47

I had similar a couple of months ago, OP, and have been visiting an osteopath and it is sooo much better now. It took a few repeated visits to get there but well worth it in my opinion. Good luck x

Strictly1 · 14/04/2024 14:49

I could have written your post last Friday. The pain was awful as you describe. I’ve been prescribed Naproxen and have been doing physio online and have face to face this week.

Thankfully, a week on, the pain is now greatly reduced but I’m walking with a stick and if I move wrong I get a sharp, painful reminder.

I wish I had an answer for you - it is horrendous.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:50

thank you for all your support and ideas. Think I’m going to get dh to find tens and then try to go. Reading up on the caudia thing I don’t have symptoms of that. My leg is numb if I touch it even though it’s so painful but not inside of my thighs on both sides. Could feel me peeing .

OP posts:
Unforgettablefire · 14/04/2024 14:54

Op I was exactly the same it's horrific and I'm terrified it ever comes back like that. I was given co codamol and diazepam they were the best I don't know how.
I rang the doctors and someone got the prescription for me, I was terrified anyone medical would come to my house and try and move me the pain was like when you're in labour and bearing down.
See if you can get diazepam and cocodamol I really feel for you good luck!

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:54

It’s literally worse than child birth. Sympathies to all who suffer. It’s just so sudden. My blood clots weren’t as painful.

OP posts:
pelotonaddiction · 14/04/2024 14:55

Honestly it's just time usually
I took paracetamol, naproxen, codeine and diazepam. Ring the GP tomorrow
Heat can help too, a hot water bottle or heating pad or stand in the shower with it on your back

I started with similar pain in January one year, by March I was on morphine and asking a&e to cut my leg off
I lost feeling then which was a relief and was having to walk dragging my leg
Developed cauda equina in the May and had surgery

Pain doesn't equal severity/urgency which is the hard thing, they won't operate as an emergency unless it's cauda equina

Don't sit, either stand or lie down. Pillow under or between your knees and keep moving very gently. Google log roll out of bed

Mischance · 14/04/2024 14:57

Do not avoid eating and drinking - I know why you want to, but you will just be storing up more problems for yourself. Just keep peeing in the jug, but don't reduce fluid intake, especially with a history of blood clots.

nozbottheblue · 14/04/2024 14:57

Might you be able to kneel up on the back seat of the car, facing backwards? That was the only way I could be driven to hospital when I was in labour. Different thing I know but worth a try?
I feel for you- Ive also been there with sciatica and that nerve pain is like nothing else, no painkillers touched it and only amitryptiline gave me any relief.
Best of luck!

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