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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 · 30/04/2024 22:39

So no not getting the surgery at all nevermind sharpish. I’m upset about it all.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 22:38

BurnoutGP · 30/04/2024 22:22

Hi OP sorry yes I saw your updates after I posted that. It doesn't surprise me at all that it's taken so long to get the MRI and tbh I'm impressed you've had one.
I'm no expert (lowly GP) but in my experience it means that you slipped a disc that is now compressing some nerves and part of your spinal cord. The symptoms are as a result of this. You need surgery to relieve the pressure on the cord to prevent permanent nerve damage. And it needs to be done sharpish and should be with that scan.

Show quote history

Thank you. That’s what my gp said who sent me to the hospital last night. The surgeon said no surgery as I could wee and clench my bum hole. I’m feel I should be in hospital being sorted out.

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BurnoutGP · 30/04/2024 22:22

Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 21:49

Unfortunately it’s didn’t help much when I did go. Thankfully jph is a small hospital so the wait wasn’t bad but they didn’t mri me.
I got the mri finally from gp 2 weeks later.

Hi OP sorry yes I saw your updates after I posted that. It doesn't surprise me at all that it's taken so long to get the MRI and tbh I'm impressed you've had one.
I'm no expert (lowly GP) but in my experience it means that you slipped a disc that is now compressing some nerves and part of your spinal cord. The symptoms are as a result of this. You need surgery to relieve the pressure on the cord to prevent permanent nerve damage. And it needs to be done sharpish and should be with that scan.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 22:00

Literally have no idea wtf that all means. I noticed today I can’t bend my toes apart from the big toe. It’s weird.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 21:52

I found this on my nhs app.

Sciatica /slipped disc
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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 21:49

Unfortunately it’s didn’t help much when I did go. Thankfully jph is a small hospital so the wait wasn’t bad but they didn’t mri me.
I got the mri finally from gp 2 weeks later.

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BurnoutGP · 30/04/2024 21:45

CroftonWillow · 14/04/2024 14:32

Without NSAID's you won't be able to get any relief at home. You need to get to A&E ASAP. If it's as severe as you describe they'll likely rush you for an MRI so they know exactly the cause and possibly urgent surgery.

Not sure where you did your medical degree or work in the NHS but that sure as hell isn't going to happen. She might sit in a chair in A+E for 10 hours tho.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 21:42

They just said we will get you an appointment. So no idea. I’m hoping it’s very soon.
I may ring tomorrow and see and hurry it along.

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Topjoe19 · 30/04/2024 20:06

Physio won't be much use while you're in so much pain, you're right. Try to mobilise if/when you can. Then - Rest. Rest. Rest. Take all the drugs. When is your spinal clinic appointment?

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 19:21

Apart from assessing for a splint on my foot.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 19:19

Only plan is spinal clinic. That’s it. I sorted a physio myself but she’s not able to help for ages.

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Topjoe19 · 30/04/2024 19:12

I'm so pleased your mum is home & feeling better. Your poor FIL that sounds awful. I hope he gets treatment & feels better quickly. I think there is generally a huge reluctance to operate on back issues no matter what. It seems to be just give painkillers/physio & hope for the best. But I did think cauda equina required an op. What plan have they given you? Will you have an injection?

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 19:06

GladysOhli · 29/04/2024 21:42

Just been reading along as I recognised the sheer unwillingness to help when k went to an and e crying silently in pain and was sent away by a very uncaring doctor. I was so so upset that even sitting rocking quietly and clearly in a lot of distress I was ignored.
I hope you're soon fixed.

That’s awful. I’m so sorry.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 19:04

I want my back to heal quickly. I’m scared of surgery. I’m a fat menopausal woman with sleep apnea and blood clot issues. I wonder if they don’t want to do it because of that.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 19:01

My mum is home! Her blood count was 6.7 which is like half of a normal (she has a bone marrow disease) and now has had 3 units of blood so is feeling much better now thankfully. FIL they have now found his stomach aneurysm that was fixed in 2018 is leaking as well as his pneumonia. It’s not been an easy week. My ankle has started hurting.

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Topjoe19 · 30/04/2024 18:27

@GladysOhli I'm so sorry you were treated like that. I hope you are feeling better now.

Topjoe19 · 30/04/2024 18:26

@Allofaflutter I'm so sorry you must be so fed up being messed about like that. And the worry about your mum & FIL. What a stressful time for you. I hope you have got some support. I'm thinking of you & hope things get better soon. Keep your chin up.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 18:03

Thanks for that xx

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Triflelife · 30/04/2024 13:48

@Allofaflutter so sorry. All the in and out of hospital no wonder you are upset. Not sure if it’s your thing but there is a sciatica board on Reddit which helped me. It’s a huge community of people. Hope you are ok the combination of pain and the worry over surgery/ no surgery on top of ill parents must be a lot.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 13:18

I had a telephone physio appointment today and she called and was again very surprised I’m not in the hospital having surgery, having seen the mri results. She’s not able to do any physio for quite some time she thinks, but is going to loook further into what and when she can help.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 13:15

I’ve been crying most of the morning. I’ve been told not to bend forward at all. To keep my back upright and straight apart from laying down to sleep. I’m quite distressed by it all. Just heard FIL is in hospital with pneumonia too. My mum is still in hospital too. I’m overwhelmed by it all.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 13:12

I sent my lovely GP a message via the receptionist as it says on my records admitted to hospital. I asked them to tell her I’m at home in pain and to be honest quite upset. I’m hoping she will call.

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justasking111 · 30/04/2024 12:57

Well I'd send your surgery GP an email asking if he could get back to you when he's seen the hospital reports.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 30/04/2024 09:52

They sent me home in the middle of the night. Surgeon said yes the mri is bad but as I can empty my bladdder they don’t want to do anything. It’s only 3 months since all my blood clots and I have a high bmi and I think he doesn’t want to be the one to operate in case I croak. That was the impression I got. He said well there’s a tiny bit of room so 8/10 people heal so just put up with it. I’m not sure how I feel.

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Topjoe19 · 30/04/2024 05:59

How are things @Allofaflutter ?