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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?

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9
HollaHolla · 08/05/2024 17:13

Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:17

So who is best at reading mris, the person giving the report or the dr on call?

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.

HollaHolla · 08/05/2024 17:05

Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 00:42

Not neuro though

Get a Neurosurgeon. I'm at the other end of the country, so can't advise on who - but I was told repeatedly, to only let a Neuro look at my back.
Good luck to you. You poor thing. You're really going through the mill.

Topjoe19 · 08/05/2024 16:19

Well done for standing up for yourself. Get the mri done. Although I think it's dreadful you have to put yourself through another one.

justasking111 · 08/05/2024 13:45

Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 13:11

Well it’s the same dr and he’s pissed I contacted a consultant. He told me it’s not compressed the cauda equines nerve at all. But I’ve insisted on a new mri

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

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 13:11

Well it’s the same dr and he’s pissed I contacted a consultant. He told me it’s not compressed the cauda equines nerve at all. But I’ve insisted on a new mri

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Topjoe19 · 08/05/2024 12:45

Good luck @Allofaflutter hope you get a resolution finally

Flowersandforests · 08/05/2024 10:55

Good luck - honestly shocked how hard you’ve had to fight for this so really hoping you get the help you need now

justasking111 · 08/05/2024 10:11

Good luck 🤞

ItWillBeDone · 08/05/2024 09:12

Lots of luck to you

buffyslayer · 08/05/2024 09:09

Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 09:06

Omg it worked the surgeon wants to examine me. I’m going in. Fingers crossed.

Everything crossed for you

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 09:06

Omg it worked the surgeon wants to examine me. I’m going in. Fingers crossed.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 07/05/2024 22:11

I had come to terms with the fact I can’t raise the money for private treatment.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 07/05/2024 22:09

I’ve hacked the email address formation and have sent an email to every spinal surgeon at the hospital. Hopefully that will help me. Gp wasn’t in today but back tomorrow so will see my message about not getting treated.

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ItWillBeDone · 07/05/2024 21:19

It definitely looks like you do. Can you chase up your GP again? Do you have a number for the hospital department? I'd be calling and asking them for urgent advice. I really hope you make some progress. What a worry.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 07/05/2024 19:13

Why not treat me?

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 07/05/2024 19:04

Confused my report from the surgeon last week is in. So I’ve copied and pasted the diagnosis.
Working Diagnosis and Plan MRI showed L5/1 disc prolapse causing Left S1 nerve root compression, CES around cauda equina. - Left S1 radiculopathy - analgesia, safety netting, spinal follow up to be arranged.
Investigations requested
Investigation comments

so does that mean I have Cauda Equina? If so why send me home after telling me I didn’t have it?

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ChickenDeChick · 07/05/2024 15:38

How are you? @Allofaflutter

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:38

I’m trying to message you but it won’t find you.

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BurnoutGP · 04/05/2024 20:33

Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:29

Now my mum is worried if I do have surgery as my sister has said I’ll probably die. So now doesn’t want me to have it. Disability v death.

Why would you die? Its no riskier than any other surgery with your personal risks. But the surgeon can tell you what the risks are. You need to see a spinal or neurosurgeon.
If I saw you with your history and that scan I would be trying to get them to see you urgently.

BurnoutGP · 04/05/2024 20:31

Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:17

So who is best at reading mris, the person giving the report or the dr on call?

The person doing the report is the expert on reading scans. Though an experienced spinal or neurosurgeon will be better at transferring that to what can be done. An A+E dr will be the least expert of the 3.
Feel free to message me though I'm jot sure how much I can help. I'm no expert. But GPs can try and put some pressure on secondary care.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:29

Now my mum is worried if I do have surgery as my sister has said I’ll probably die. So now doesn’t want me to have it. Disability v death.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:23

It’s too late She’s taking shots of my threads and have been sending them to my family.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:22

Just in case anyone is thinking I’m a troll.

Sciatica /slipped disc
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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:20

I’m also sorry to hear you are in a bad way too.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:19

RainbowZebraWarrior · 04/05/2024 20:15

My apologies. I have spinal issues, and I know that A&E do perform MRI's in certain situations.

A lot of people think that if they go to A&E they will 'bypass' the system. Obviously this is often not the case.

I saw the post directed at the family member, and the post about MNHQ not allowing deletion of your thread, and thought it all sounded a bit off.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't be policing anyone's pain, medical conditions or threads.

You have my utmost sympathy. OP. As I say, I'm in a similar boat with spinal issues, and wouldn't wish them on anyone.

Apology accepted. Shit family isn’t unusual unfortunately. I just am trying to ignore her atm. She doesn’t have my number but has been trying via sm to me and everyone close to me. I can post the mn reply from Kim at hq if anyone wants.

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