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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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justasking111 · 04/05/2024 13:36

@Allofaflutter for the Norwich hospital and others there's an app you can download for waiting times. Reading online your hospital does well. I'd download the app. You'll only be seeing junior registrar staff though. My friend has two sons juniors who are working all over this weekend because higher ups are off

justasking111 · 04/05/2024 13:20

Our hospital had 15 ambulances with patients in yesterday because A&E was chokka. That was before the thousands of tourists descended this weekend.

So I'd avoid the hospital over the bank holiday

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 12:02

Helpline only Monday to Friday so it will Tuesday I’m suppose until I can call.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 11:53

Topjoe19 · 04/05/2024 06:18

Would you consider going back to a&e? They really should have operated by now. You must be so stressed & absolutely fed up. Other than that, with private, I'd look at their experience/specialisms & make a judgement off that. I dont have any experience of choosing someone, although I'm considering going that route myself now as I'm fed up of being in this situation. I'm not an emergency like you though. I've had it for over a year & I just want to get better!

I’m desperately trying to find the money. I’m not sure I can find the £12k either. I had been off work so much this year and I’m not paid a whole lot anyway. I’ve applied for a new credit card and we will see if that will help.
if I go back to A&E over a bank holiday weekend I’m going to get the lower ranked dr again. I only want the consultant. So I guess I’m going to have to pay for it. Anyone want a kidney? Hardly used?

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 11:48

buffyslayer · 04/05/2024 01:25

(I've NC)
Don't understand why they aren't operating
This comes up again and again. On my Instagram I have a photo tagged cauda equina so I get a lot of people messaging about questions
I've heard so many similar stories. They say it's rare but 3 of my 900 FB friends have had it

Wonder if it's worth messaging these? They say they are working to reduce delayed treatment and there's a helpline

www.championscharity.org.uk

Thank you so very much. I will call.

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Topjoe19 · 04/05/2024 06:18

Would you consider going back to a&e? They really should have operated by now. You must be so stressed & absolutely fed up. Other than that, with private, I'd look at their experience/specialisms & make a judgement off that. I dont have any experience of choosing someone, although I'm considering going that route myself now as I'm fed up of being in this situation. I'm not an emergency like you though. I've had it for over a year & I just want to get better!

buffyslayer · 04/05/2024 01:25

(I've NC)
Don't understand why they aren't operating
This comes up again and again. On my Instagram I have a photo tagged cauda equina so I get a lot of people messaging about questions
I've heard so many similar stories. They say it's rare but 3 of my 900 FB friends have had it

Wonder if it's worth messaging these? They say they are working to reduce delayed treatment and there's a helpline

www.championscharity.org.uk

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 00:42

Not neuro though

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 00:42

Mr Am Rai is more money all the others are less. Does that means he’s the best?

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 00:41

justasking111 · 03/05/2024 21:59

"Spire Norwich Hospital | Private Hospital in Norwich, Norfolk | Spire Healthcare" https://www.spirehealthcare.com/spire-norwich-hospital/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Hospital_GMB

This one @Allofaflutter ?

Yes thanks

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Mischance · 03/05/2024 22:39

In fact a spinal surgeon did my op - but it was virtually all he did, so I reasoned that he would have lots of experience.

ItWillBeDone · 03/05/2024 22:35

You definitely want a neurosurgeon, this is what they are brilliant at dealing with.

justasking111 · 03/05/2024 21:55

There's something like trust pilot where patients give reviews on surgeons. It's a bit long winded but you research yourself each surgeon.

ChickenDeChick · 03/05/2024 21:46

Sorry you're going through this op, I had a friend in a similar situation recently. She was dismissed by spinal/ortho surgeon but luckily an amazing neurosurgeon finally took her seriously and offered her surgery, she's made a really good recovery. So I'd look at their speciality, if you look at the private hospital website they would provide a bio for each specialist.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/05/2024 21:28

Does anyone have any expertise on choosing a surgeon?

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/05/2024 21:27

It’s 3 weeks tomorrow

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/05/2024 21:27

The us website talked about red flags being too late and it needs to be done before.

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ItWillBeDone · 03/05/2024 20:57

You're really going through the mill OP. You're totally right to keep on to the NHS. I'd be tempted to go back to a&e with the prolapse. Sending you good luck and strength.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/05/2024 18:43

I’m going to go private for a consultation. There’s a spire hospital next door to the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. I’m going to go look and see if I can afford a consultation. I just can’t do this anymore. The worry of losing function. The lack of nhs care.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/05/2024 18:30

I sent my usual good drs a message asking for them to ask gp about this. Reply was appointment
for 15th May.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/05/2024 18:28

So physiosaid not related but here is says red flag. Ffs. Now it’s 3 days of oncall drs.

Sciatica /slipped disc
OP posts:
justasking111 · 03/05/2024 14:03

Allofaflutter · 03/05/2024 11:04

Yesterday evening I had one of the worst pain evenings I’ve had since the first few days. Earlier in the day it actually felt a bit better, and I thought maybe the amitripline had built up enough to work. But it can’t have done as last night all I could do was cry.

Prolapse I discovered causes back pain so might be a bit of a red herring. I also read that there's a tampon type thing to push it back up to relieve the pain @Allofaflutter

HoneyButterPopcorn · 03/05/2024 13:58

I think so. I was once going through a really awful period (unexpected parental death, redundancy, small child, and more) and my back ‘went’.

My osteo told me that I’d actually managed to pop a disc because I’d been holding myself so badly and sleeping all twisted up. my ribs also hurt because I was so ‘tight’ in my chest area.

I popped a disc through stress…

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