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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?

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 25/05/2024 17:09

intresting. What size did it go up to?

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justasking111 · 25/05/2024 16:53

I've ordered a belt that is supposed to help a lot by realigning your spine relieving the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Some excellent reviews.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 25/05/2024 15:39

No different. Still in lots of pain, laying bed flat most of the time as it helps with the pain. Thanks for asking. Long recovery, just glad I’ve got adult kids as if I had littlies I would be in trouble.

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ItWillBeDone · 25/05/2024 15:33

How are you doing @Allofaflutter ?

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 20/05/2024 22:35

Interesting though my mum said the same today about weather and old injuries.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 20/05/2024 16:00

im not any better. I’ve not noticed any changes with weather.

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MêmePasPeur · 18/05/2024 21:35

How are you doing?

justasking111 · 12/05/2024 21:47

Anyone noticed a reduction in pain when the weather was dry and hot for a few days. The heavens opened this afternoon and the pain is back.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 09/05/2024 11:30

HollaHolla · 08/05/2024 23:51

OK, if that happens, you have about 48 hours for intervention. It can be resolved. I was numb between my legs, and couldn't pee. I had surgery at about hour 18, and I only have patches of numbness now.
Very many disc herniations/bulges self-resolve. So, ask for intervention via physio - and whether they might consider a nerve root injection. That's done as a guided scanner, so just a wee bit of local, and can be very effective in getting you moving again.

Very glad to hear that you have had time with a specialist now - and that they actually spent time to explain things better.
Take care.

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They said until I get at least 6 months past blood clots, which is end July they won’t operate. Im just glad you got the operation in time.

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HollaHolla · 08/05/2024 23:51

Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:46

If it hits the nerves I’m fucked, lose use of leg, bladder, bowels and sexual function.

OK, if that happens, you have about 48 hours for intervention. It can be resolved. I was numb between my legs, and couldn't pee. I had surgery at about hour 18, and I only have patches of numbness now.
Very many disc herniations/bulges self-resolve. So, ask for intervention via physio - and whether they might consider a nerve root injection. That's done as a guided scanner, so just a wee bit of local, and can be very effective in getting you moving again.

Very glad to hear that you have had time with a specialist now - and that they actually spent time to explain things better.
Take care.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:55

I have had so much support here it spurred me on to get help. I appreciate all of you. Family wise I’ve gone nc with flying monkeys. Mum and dad are ok.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:51

ItWillBeDone · 08/05/2024 22:47

You must be so relieved to have seen a consultant who has explained everything properly. I guess the hope is that it will settle down without needing surgery at all?

Absolutely but I shouldn’t have to email a consultant personally to get it.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:50

I have suffered. I’m still suffering.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:48

That’s the hope but he’s concerned as it’s still getting worse. The pain is bad too. I was quite pissed though while at mri there was a lady in a bed with exactly the same issue possible ces not had mri yet but very much in pain. Not other issues she said but she’s been admitted for pain relief! I was left to scream.

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ItWillBeDone · 08/05/2024 22:47

You must be so relieved to have seen a consultant who has explained everything properly. I guess the hope is that it will settle down without needing surgery at all?

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:46

If it hits the nerves I’m fucked, lose use of leg, bladder, bowels and sexual function.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:42

I’m a bit scared it will get bigger again as it got bigger in 11 days. There’s not much room left. But the consultant was nice.

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justasking111 · 08/05/2024 22:33

Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:25

I don’t feel ignored anymore. Not great news but at least I totally understand it all now.

You know that's all we ask, explain it to us. Armed with knowledge you can start to move forward. The clinic is more progress.

TheWayBackHome · 08/05/2024 22:29

I'm so glad they took the time to explain things properly OP. Hopefully it'll improve quickly.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:25

I don’t feel ignored anymore. Not great news but at least I totally understand it all now.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:24

They also said the original mri report was wrong. It’s not compressing the cauda equina it’s just very close mm away.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:20

Thank you all for the support.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:19

HollaHolla · 08/05/2024 17:13

Sorry - just caught up with your other posts. The last thing you need is the additional hassle. It's so difficult when you're not getting supported either. I was incredibly fortunate that my siblings understood when my parents used a whack of cash (about £8k) to cover some private medical expenses for me. They knew they would get it if they've needed it - and they just felt for me, that I was in that situation. I am sorry your sibling is an arse.

Re: reading the report. As standard, it would go to a radiologist/neuro to read, and report back to the Neurosurgery team. However, in an emergency, if you get someone senior enough, they will read it then and there. I know, because I've had both. The routine ones, where the report takes about 4 weeks - from memory.... and, then the middle of the night, cauda equina, emergency one, where the neurosurgery team were standing waiting, and the Specialist Registrar read the scan from the screen, and I was taken straight from the MRI to the operating theatre.

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My original one took 48hrs to get report to gp. Today it took 2 hours from mri to results.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:18

So I saw the consultant. Had a new mri. It’s got bigger but the consultant showed me and it’s not squishing the nerves it’s a mm away so it’s enough pressure to cause symptoms but not damage nerves. The main issue is that as I’m only 3 months after a pulmonary embolism blood clots on high blood thinners they can’t operate. It’s far too risky. So I’m I have to hope it doesn’t get bigger and then it will damage the nerves and they can’t stop it without surgery. Another 3/ months then it wouldn’t be so risky. I’m not sure how I feel. But at least I’ve talked to a consultant and had a new mri. And they booked me an appointment next week for clinic. He showed me the mri. I now understand.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:09

justasking111 · 08/05/2024 13:45

Why is that something that annoys the GP? I'm baffled.

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Not the gp the same dr from the on call last week.

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