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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?

OP posts:
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9
Arrestedmanevolence · 22/04/2024 15:18

Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 14:45

Dr called he’s chasing the mri as urgent. He’s refilling all my meds. I’m sticking with amitripline not gabapentin. Thanks for the warning on that. Dr was very happy to hear my thoughts on that. He also reassured me that this pain wasn’t permanent. He was a bit worried the numbness was on my right side too now so he’s chasing the mri and pushing it as much as he can. So I’m relieved I’m not going to stick like this forever.

In my experience of having back issues for decades, a slipped disc or two take about 6-8 months to come right. That's why you should, if you can, not rush to surgery. Physio is better. All orthopaedic surgeons I've seen have said that surgery is essentially hit and miss and can make things a lot worse. Surgery also leaves scar tissue which you will need to have physio for anyway.

Mischance · 22/04/2024 15:38

I had a microdiscectomy - no physio afterwards - just got on with life. No problems.

Topjoe19 · 22/04/2024 15:49

@Allofaflutter that's great news about the MRI hopefully you get it very soon. That'll get you on the right track when you know exactly what's wrong. Glad they refilled all the pain relief! Hope you are feeling slightly better now you know you're going to get help.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 15:53

FreyaFromTheFens · 22/04/2024 14:48

You should build up to a minute at a time but I was really only holding it and able to lower maybe a couple of inches for 10 seconds or so but over the course of a few days I felt like I could release more and drop into my knees a bit.
I never took my feet off of the floor as just couldn't but I haven't thought about it for weeks now so wanted to mention it to @Allofaflutter on the off chance it helped as I thought surgery was going to be my only option.

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I’m going to try it next dose of morphine. Thank you all for all your support and all the help.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 15:57

The GP I spoke to was more than happy to refill the painkillers and was a bit confused as to why the others said no. He said you can’t be left screaming. He was very sympathetic, I wonder if he’s had it too? He was going to do all he could to chase the mri.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 16:10

I do feel mentally better that I’m not being left.

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pelotonaddiction · 22/04/2024 16:10

Mischance · 22/04/2024 15:38

I had a microdiscectomy - no physio afterwards - just got on with life. No problems.

I had physio and paid for a private PT but I had a massive herniation with cauda equina and 5hrs op so it wasn't quite as straightforward as a normal one! Was still back on a horse 8 weeks after and virtually no scar tissue as I worked so hard

nervousweddingguest · 22/04/2024 16:19

justasking111 · 21/04/2024 00:17

Really that's your take from this thread

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yes... a&e is just that! accident and emergency. i fully understand that the OP has been in pain with their back.. and trust me i have been there, done that got the T-shirt.

going to a&e will not force a better service and will take away from those who need immediate medical care.

and then to state they are going to complain to PALS if they dont get what they want? thats petty and childish, its blackmail.

and before you rant at me...b herniated disc at L4/L5 with 2 surgeries, hernicated disc at C4, on the waiting list for a new hip.. and other associated issues so i am fully aware of what back pain feels like.

nervousweddingguest · 22/04/2024 16:22

Allofaflutter · 21/04/2024 21:34

When I say they I mean A&E last Sunday.

when you say 'last sunday' do you mean yesterday or like 7 days ago.

tabulahrasa · 22/04/2024 16:29

nervousweddingguest · 22/04/2024 16:22

when you say 'last sunday' do you mean yesterday or like 7 days ago.

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7 days ago, same day the thread was started

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 19:32

nervousweddingguest · 22/04/2024 16:19

yes... a&e is just that! accident and emergency. i fully understand that the OP has been in pain with their back.. and trust me i have been there, done that got the T-shirt.

going to a&e will not force a better service and will take away from those who need immediate medical care.

and then to state they are going to complain to PALS if they dont get what they want? thats petty and childish, its blackmail.

and before you rant at me...b herniated disc at L4/L5 with 2 surgeries, hernicated disc at C4, on the waiting list for a new hip.. and other associated issues so i am fully aware of what back pain feels like.

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sorry I think I’m so out of it on drugs I’ve worded it wrong. The two sentences are separate. I’m complaining about the treatment at the first hospital, I was sent because I called 111 as my leg went numb, the dr on 111 said I needed a mri. It didnt happen and I was sent home literally screaming. So I was sent to A&E I wasn’t going to block treatment for others.a dr sent me there. I don’t think I should have been sent home screaming and that I should have had the mri but I didn’t because it was a Sunday night. The sentence about the bigger hospital has nothing to do with complaining. Just was told to go back to A&E if it got worse which it has so I was following advice from A&E. I just was choosing to go to a bigger hospital that does mri 24/7 not the smaller local one that doesn’t even have the staff to read the mri. Sorry if it wasn’t clear as I say I’m higher than a kite atm.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 19:33

tabulahrasa · 22/04/2024 16:29

7 days ago, same day the thread was started

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Yes Sunday last week. Again I’m a bit muddled as I’m on all the drugs.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 19:37

What I’m typing is not as clear as what’s in my head if that makes sense. The spell check is working overtime too!

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tabulahrasa · 22/04/2024 19:39

Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 19:37

What I’m typing is not as clear as what’s in my head if that makes sense. The spell check is working overtime too!

I couldn’t even work my phone on morphine tbh 😂

I forgot what I was saying halfway through sentences never mind typing 😐

nervousweddingguest · 22/04/2024 19:42

Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 19:33

Yes Sunday last week. Again I’m a bit muddled as I’m on all the drugs.

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ah my apologies... i very stupidly thought that current active posts are in the here and now, it didnt occur to me to look at the date of the original date of the thread, so i apologise.

i am surprised you were sent away from a&e screaming in agony? this bit does surprise me...

111 sending you to a&e stating you need an MRI.. this doesnt surprise me... you can ring 111 with a chesty cough and they will send you to a&e. its definately not their call to tell you what treatment they think you should get.

i was in a&e in october with a suspected stroke.. a&e send me for a CT scan and said they would have to wait for the results to come back from AUSTRAILER... basically, out of hours they send of the scans overseas where they are looked at and sent back.. so the actual hospital doesn't look at them.

i was kept in because thankfully there was no stroke but its suspected i have MS. i had my MRI on the friday and was kept in because the constultant was unavailbale to read the scan over the weekend as it was his weekend off and i finally got my results on the Monday.

nervousweddingguest · 22/04/2024 19:47

Mischance · 22/04/2024 15:38

I had a microdiscectomy - no physio afterwards - just got on with life. No problems.

me too... although 'getting on with life' led to a 2nd emergency miscrodiscectomy and CE!

after the 2nd surgery still no Physio... its taken 2 years and a suspected stroke for the hospital to look at my file and realise!

the NHS is total rubbish

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 20:00

I was a bit surprised about screaming in pain but being made to leave. They gave me a morphine dose, gave me boxes of amitripline, cocodamol and diazepam. Told me to come back if I if got worse but being in that much pain isn’t a reason to stay. That’s what I’m complaining about. I don’t think it’s right.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 20:02

I also was worried as I had only two months earlier had pulmonary embolisms (blood clots on lungs from dvt in the leg that was hurting so much). Not even a blood test to check.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 20:03

I felt I was not getting the best care.

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

Blood clots nearly killed me so I’m also suffering from health anxiety.

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

That complicates things if I need surgery too as I’m still on strong blood thinners.

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bombastix · 22/04/2024 20:37

Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 15:57

The GP I spoke to was more than happy to refill the painkillers and was a bit confused as to why the others said no. He said you can’t be left screaming. He was very sympathetic, I wonder if he’s had it too? He was going to do all he could to chase the mri.

Because he is a proper doctor and not a robot. Painkillers are for acute pain. If you had been asking for them six months on then they would be different.

Arrestedmanevolence · 22/04/2024 21:54

Amitriptyline is a build up drug. It'll probably take a few weeks for you to feel the benefit.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 22:11

tabulahrasa · 22/04/2024 19:39

I couldn’t even work my phone on morphine tbh 😂

I forgot what I was saying halfway through sentences never mind typing 😐

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I’ve typed stuff out then forgot to press post!

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 22/04/2024 22:13

Arrestedmanevolence · 22/04/2024 21:54

Amitriptyline is a build up drug. It'll probably take a few weeks for you to feel the benefit.

Thanks this is very important to know as I may have stopped if I thought it wasn’t working.

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