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AIBU?

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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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justasking111 · 21/04/2024 23:36

Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 22:57

Thanks,it’s the leg I can’t cope with. The back is much less pain like a 2 or 3.. It’s the leg that’s killing me. 8-10 when it’s bad.

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Same here the back is under control with Gabapentin. It's the hip and calf plus weirdly pain in my foot. I think it's nerves being compressed by L1 and L2. I have to lie on the sofa with cushions behind and under my back placed strategically. I get back pain when walking even a short distance.

My exercises help me loosen up a bit. Leaning on a shopping trolley helps too when shopping. I'm dithering about getting a walking stick.

tabulahrasa · 21/04/2024 23:02

I’m not saying it won’t do anything for your legs, pthe first tens machine I had definitely had instructions for leg pain.

Just I haven’t found it does much for it for me.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 22:57

tabulahrasa · 21/04/2024 22:05

Tens - you want the pads in a square round the outside of the back pain… if that makes sense? And not on bones at all.

I find it does nothing for the nerve pain in legs btw, just the back pain.

Thanks,it’s the leg I can’t cope with. The back is much less pain like a 2 or 3.. It’s the leg that’s killing me. 8-10 when it’s bad.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 21/04/2024 22:05

Tens - you want the pads in a square round the outside of the back pain… if that makes sense? And not on bones at all.

I find it does nothing for the nerve pain in legs btw, just the back pain.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 21:49

I’m still trying to find a place where the tens works, no luck yet. Is that what my foot is called? Foot drop? The pain/ numbness on the bottom of the foot is so painful too. Gp kept saying it was for a very short term use. And that it wouldn’t be refilled. More than one Gp too. I’ve been doing ice and heat but on the back not the foot. Should it be on the foot?

OP posts:
Topjoe19 · 21/04/2024 21:43

@Allofaflutter Physio can refer you for an MRI. Fight your corner with them on Thurs, but with the foot drop I can't see that they will refuse. And I cannot fathom why a GP would refuse you more meds. Hopefully they give you more tomorrow. Try some ice on the back & heat on the leg. Is the Tens any use?

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 21:37

Flowersandforests · 21/04/2024 20:51

@Allofaflutter @Topjoe19 completely agree with you - it’s unacceptable that you were left screaming in pain and they’re withholding pain medication !!! It’s inhumane.

Feels like back pain is not taken seriously at all - I was only offered a telephone appt, how is a GP meant to diagnose a physical problem over the phone?!?

Hope you’re feeling better today x

Thanks, I wish but nope.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 21:34

When I say they I mean A&E last Sunday.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 21:33

Arrestedmanevolence · 21/04/2024 21:15

If you have any symptoms of cauda equina they should do an emergency MRI (that can be a week wait though so the definition of emergency is loose IME).

Thanks but they said I didn’t have it. They put something up my bum and poked me with a blunt needle and then said I hadn’t got it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 21:32

I’ve just send a desperate message to the gps asking them to put me on gabapentin, give me more painkillers, and to beg for mri. I told them all the symptoms and that 111 send me to hospital for mri and it never happened.
we can self refer and book physio and I’ve managed to get one on Thursday on a new app. So that’s good. I explained I’m unable to lift my foot far and it’s tripping me up lots. I’ve had falls in the last week from it. Which hasn’t helped the back.

OP posts:
Arrestedmanevolence · 21/04/2024 21:15

If you have any symptoms of cauda equina they should do an emergency MRI (that can be a week wait though so the definition of emergency is loose IME).

DuesToTheDirt · 21/04/2024 21:05

Flowersandforests · 21/04/2024 20:51

@Allofaflutter @Topjoe19 completely agree with you - it’s unacceptable that you were left screaming in pain and they’re withholding pain medication !!! It’s inhumane.

Feels like back pain is not taken seriously at all - I was only offered a telephone appt, how is a GP meant to diagnose a physical problem over the phone?!?

Hope you’re feeling better today x

My first GP appointment about my sciatica was over the phone. She glanced at my X-rays (hadn't looked at them before the phone call) and told me I had osteoarthritis. Hmm When I got to see a physio, in person, he told me my X-rays looked normal for my age, and my issues with movement showed it was sciatica.

Flowersandforests · 21/04/2024 20:51

@Allofaflutter @Topjoe19 completely agree with you - it’s unacceptable that you were left screaming in pain and they’re withholding pain medication !!! It’s inhumane.

Feels like back pain is not taken seriously at all - I was only offered a telephone appt, how is a GP meant to diagnose a physical problem over the phone?!?

Hope you’re feeling better today x

Topjoe19 · 21/04/2024 20:47

Honestly with anything else they'd investigate if you were screaming in pain. If you'd turned up with a chest pain or terrible headache, or stomach pain. But you were told to go home without proper investigation. It is unacceptable and you're within your right to complain if you wish. Don't be afraid to say what you feel. I hope you are feeling a bit better today?

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 19:20

nervousweddingguest · 20/04/2024 22:40

oh please dont do this... thats so unfair! make an appointment with your GP...

Show quote history

Why is complaining that the smaller hospital didn’t do the mri when I was sent there by 111 to have the mri? And that they left me in pain and sent me home literally screaming. I think I was badly treated by them, i was going to complain to pals about the hospital. I wasnt going to complain to pals about the lack of painkiller refills from the gp. Pals are nothing to do with the gps.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 19:15

I can’t take naproxen, I’m on blood thinners.

OP posts:
Flowersandforests · 21/04/2024 17:09

Pretty sure you’re meant to take a stomach protector with Naproxen - GP should presrcribe both at the same time.

bombastix · 21/04/2024 08:55

Be careful with naproxen. Got me admitted to hospital with internal bleeding and I am not the only one.

This was incidentally because the doctor would not provide an opiate or other painkiller.

Naproxen is imo dangerous. I will not take it.

Topjoe19 · 21/04/2024 08:14

YANBU - it's absolutely unfair of the GPs to not give you enough adequate pain relief. I hope you get some relief soon. Amitriptyline takes a while to work, also you can up your dose of that too. Or there are other meds you can try. Hope you are a bit better today.

ArcticOwl · 21/04/2024 00:36

Allofaflutter · 20/04/2024 22:34

Apparently 13% of people think I’m being unreasonable 😂

so sorry you're struggling.. another person here with similar issues, although mine are long term/chronic now.. i have degenerated disks and my l5/s1 is fubar'd and dried to a husk.

Gabapentin or amitriptyline are the only things that's ever knocked the sciatic pain on the head for me, alongside anti inflammatorys, and even now on 900mg gabapentin dose daily it still does bleed through occasionally.

If you DO lay down, the old pregnancy trick lying on your side with a pillow between your knees and ankles to keep that hip/knee/ankle bone all level does offer some relief.

Babyroobs · 21/04/2024 00:23

Allofaflutter · 19/04/2024 22:18

So I’m rationing them. I only have 4 tablets left of cocodamol left. That’s 2 doses.

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Shame you can't take anti-inflammatories. I've had severe back and hip pain this week ( big car shunted my small car whilst I was sort of half in/ half out of the car) and naproxen have been amazing. Gp was a bit reluctant to prescribe them due to stomach issues but they have been amazing. I'm still in agony in the mornings but can at least move freely for most of the day. Also have diazepam but have held off on them for now. Hope things improve soon.

justasking111 · 21/04/2024 00:17

nervousweddingguest · 20/04/2024 22:40

oh please dont do this... thats so unfair! make an appointment with your GP...

Show quote history

Really that's your take from this thread

justasking111 · 21/04/2024 00:15

Allofaflutter · 20/04/2024 22:34

Apparently 13% of people think I’m being unreasonable 😂

You've actually got to go through it to understand

ItWillBeDone · 20/04/2024 23:44

OP, can you afford to see a physio privately? If so, they might be able to refer you for an MRI if they are concerned. I totally understand your worries. Your symptoms are scary. I also worry about using too many painkillers. Having had neck surgery and only one dose of morphine at home (I hated the side effects) I also recommend using ice on the painful area. That doesn't help with numbness of course. I hope you turn a corner soon.

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