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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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9
Triflelife · 16/04/2024 13:14

@Allofaflutter can you query if you can up the dose? The dose of diazepam the Gp prescribed was half what I had in a&e to bring the pain down and like you wasn’t doing anything. I was crying in pain the next day when the doctor phoned and they upped the dose.

ps just saw your post as thread hadn’t updated - 2mg diazepam didn’t do anything for me but 4mg plus made things much better

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 13:11

I need the pain to stop to be able to lay down and sleep.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 13:08

HollaHolla · 16/04/2024 13:04

I'm so sorry - I see things have moved on (my page hadn't refreshed!)
It's good that you don't seem to have Cauda Equina, but it is still grim. Sounds like they've just given you opiates (oramorph/diazepam). You can take a nerve drug, an NSAID (although I know you can't), and opiate together - as well as paracetamol. For example, I take Pregabalin, Naproxen & OxyCodone, with paracetamol too. When things are really bad, I can add Oramorph. I do have all of this prescribed, and honed, via the Pain Clinic. Might be worth asking if you can speak with them?

Thank you for the sympathy, sorry you are suffering too. They gave me amitriplyne too weird tiny bright blue pills lol. A and e said they were referring me to the pain clinic.

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ConsistentlyPeeved · 16/04/2024 13:08

Sorry but those who are advising to go to A&E probably don't understand that nobody gives a shit about a slipped disc.
I had 3 and couldn't use my bowels properly, my Dr forgot to do my referral and I ended up in a wheelchair.
I finally had an epidural and touch wood I've been fine since.
All I'm saying is, strap yourself in for a long and fucking excruciating wait. You will however appreciate your mobility a lot more when it's all sorted though! I no longer take mine for granted and I'm super careful.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 13:05

Caerulea · 16/04/2024 12:52

Coming in with supportive words, OP. Hope you get your scan & results soon. Just out the other side of the worst back (of any!) pain I've ever had with a herniated disc week before last. I've an appt with the Dr this week cos I absolutely cannot go through that again, there's just no words to describe the pain at all.

Sounds silly, but this helps me a bit, can you pull your knee up to your chest? That might offer momentary relief? If you're tall enough, can you stand by the worktop & raise your worst side leg up to rest on it? So your legs are at 90°to one another if that makes sense?

Edited

I can’t lift my leg or knee up very far so I can’t pull it up to my chest or lift my leg more than 30cm. Hardly managed to lift it enough to do the stairs. But thank you.

OP posts:
HollaHolla · 16/04/2024 13:04

I'm so sorry - I see things have moved on (my page hadn't refreshed!)
It's good that you don't seem to have Cauda Equina, but it is still grim. Sounds like they've just given you opiates (oramorph/diazepam). You can take a nerve drug, an NSAID (although I know you can't), and opiate together - as well as paracetamol. For example, I take Pregabalin, Naproxen & OxyCodone, with paracetamol too. When things are really bad, I can add Oramorph. I do have all of this prescribed, and honed, via the Pain Clinic. Might be worth asking if you can speak with them?

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 13:02

ineedastrongercoffee · 16/04/2024 12:46

I have a herniated disc and a compressed disc right at the bottom on my spine. It's been 3 years since I've had an episode like what you are describing. You need a compassionate GP (I know hens teeth) who will arrange a MRI to see what is going on. GP prescribed diazepam but these didn't touch the sides really so I got Tramadol. They are strong but do allow you to get some rest.

I go to see a chiropractor, not for everyone I know but for me she has worked miracles.

It really is the most painful thing in the world, you have my sympathies.

I did read a bit further upthread that you are struggling to go to the toilet, if this is still the case then please go back to A&E, not being able to go to the toilet can be a really serious sign of trouble.

Thanks. I had the finger up the bum test and it’s all ok.
they think the numbness is not caudia equine. Still keep tripping up as my foot can’t lift it far.

OP posts:
HollaHolla · 16/04/2024 12:58

Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 15:08

So don’t go to A&E if I’m ok with pee/ poo? Don’t want to put myself through the torture to be told go home.

Show quote history

Yep. They don't consider it an emergency unless it's Cauda Equina. You will be told to manage it at home, from experience. See if you can get a nerve pain drug prescribed (I take Pregabalin). It takes the edge off it.

I've had 4 spinal surgeries, and wish I hadn't, in many ways. Time is the only real thing which will help it settle, unless you get Cauda Equina, or foot drop...... Only then will they consider surgery, in my experience.

Look after yourself. It's grim. I'm on 11 years of the constant sciatica, sadly.....

Caerulea · 16/04/2024 12:52

Coming in with supportive words, OP. Hope you get your scan & results soon. Just out the other side of the worst back (of any!) pain I've ever had with a herniated disc week before last. I've an appt with the Dr this week cos I absolutely cannot go through that again, there's just no words to describe the pain at all.

Sounds silly, but this helps me a bit, can you pull your knee up to your chest? That might offer momentary relief? If you're tall enough, can you stand by the worktop & raise your worst side leg up to rest on it? So your legs are at 90°to one another if that makes sense?

ineedastrongercoffee · 16/04/2024 12:46

I have a herniated disc and a compressed disc right at the bottom on my spine. It's been 3 years since I've had an episode like what you are describing. You need a compassionate GP (I know hens teeth) who will arrange a MRI to see what is going on. GP prescribed diazepam but these didn't touch the sides really so I got Tramadol. They are strong but do allow you to get some rest.

I go to see a chiropractor, not for everyone I know but for me she has worked miracles.

It really is the most painful thing in the world, you have my sympathies.

I did read a bit further upthread that you are struggling to go to the toilet, if this is still the case then please go back to A&E, not being able to go to the toilet can be a really serious sign of trouble.

tabulahrasa · 16/04/2024 12:44

can’t help you with diazepam I was on it for a week or so, before the first time I ended up at A&E, it did nothing.

Greyat · 16/04/2024 12:34

I go straight to a private osteopath with anything musculoskeletal. I know it's not an option for everyone, but for me it's £50 well spent. He can usually fix things within one or two sessions, including in the past sciatica and a compressed disc.

I'm grateful for the NHS, when it's something life threatening they can be wonderful, but IME they're rubbish for anything that "just" affects quality of life.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 12:31

Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 12:31

tabulahrasa · 16/04/2024 12:28

Also, if painkillers aren’t working, you have to keep getting back to the GP telling them that or they assume you’re ok IME.

That’s a good point. I’ll tell the drs it’s not doing anything. I do wonder if my diazepam is too small a dose too. Only 2mg 3 times a day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 12:29

Yes tried all that. I’ve ordered a sciatica cushion of Amazon so we will see if I can sit. It’s becoming so tiring standing all the time. My numbness in my painful leg is tripping me up like my leg is controlled by someone else. Can’t lift it properly.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 16/04/2024 12:28

Also, if painkillers aren’t working, you have to keep getting back to the GP telling them that or they assume you’re ok IME.

tabulahrasa · 16/04/2024 12:26

Have you tried on your back with cushions under your knees so your legs are bent?

or on your side with cushions between your legs?

Katiesaidthat · 16/04/2024 12:25

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.

Show quote history

My husband had to take me to hospital lying down in the back of the car, fuck seat belts. It was agony.
My neighbour was taken to hospital (screaming like a banshee in pain) by ambulance and was admitted, they had some job controlling the pain.
Had a good laugh reading over the counter meds will do it. Yeah, right.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 12:25

During the early hours I was tempted to take a much larger dose of oromorph. In A&E they gave me 10ml in one go and it took the edge off. I’m unsure why my dose is so tiny.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 12:22

I can’t get comfy at all. Last time I slept properly was Friday night.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 16/04/2024 12:20

I’ve not had any real sleep. Still can’t sit or lay. I’m perching or standing leaning over the back of the high sofa back where I’ve passed out a few times from the pain. I now have a small bottle of oromorph but the dosage I’m allowed is tiny. 1.25-2.5ml a time. It’s not done anything.

OP posts:
keeptalkinghappytalk · 15/04/2024 23:15

Hope you re getting some ( chemically induced) sleep OP x

pelotonaddiction · 15/04/2024 17:23

Try not to sit, it's so bad for your back
Standing is much better if you can
Or lie on your side with a pillow between your knees
Numbness is fairly usual as the nerve gets trapped

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 15/04/2024 16:23

It’s mostly 8,9or 10/10 pain wise. Still can’t lay down. All I can do is perch, even then it isn’t comfy.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 15/04/2024 16:21

Dr called and giving me oromorph but only a tiny bit. So only have when it’s unbareable. Didn’t seem worried about other leg going numb.

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