Sciatica /slipped disc

hold up a minute.... anyone knows a trip to hospital a&e or otherwise, to get a prescription of that size drawn up would have taken hours?? so they acknowledged your pain by giving you these drugs... without knowing what was causing the pain? they are heavy duty drugs?

My friend was admitted but she had lost the use of both legs and couldn't feel her bladder, bowels letting go.

Another friend was in A&E for 32 hours before being assessed and admitted for a stroke.

So being sent home isn't surprising.

No it wouldn't. I got something very similar a week or two back when I was in due to naproxen issues. I was already on amitriptyline and had does of diazepam, codeine and morphine.

there is nothing they can do with a slipped disc.. they will not operate immediately unless its life threatening... which is clearly wasn't

you have to give things a chance to heal on their own before you start drilling holes in spines potentially, at best paralyzing you and at worst.. killing you!

those of us who have had spine issues, have been suffering in pain for years and years, not days or weeks...

so your oly gripe is you didnt get an MRI there and then? at least now you are on the list, lets hope the wait is not too long for you

The thing about the MRI is that a diagnosis can be confirmed quickly and the correct treatment started which reduces further damage. With me it's certain drugs and physiotherapy which I paid for because the waiting list for physio in my health trust is six months. Then you only get one session and a photocopy sheet.

I luckily did see a GP in a person. Just the once he referred me privately because I had cover. I've never had a follow up call but presume they have all the information from the clinic.

I've been on Gabapentin for nine months now, again no idea if this is good or maybe should be reviewed

and you will be well aware that the NHS does not like spending money.. i honestly understand why they did not MRI this person there and then. i dont agree with it, but sadly thats how the NHS is now, there is a strict root of treatment that has to be followed now and sadly unless you are litterally at deaths door, you unfortunately have to stick to that process they follow.

i think its disgusting, but like i say, the NHS doesnt like spending money and spending money on an MRI there and then is not in their remit.

it will be interesting to see how long it takes to get the acutaly MRI (unless they go private)

when i had my issues, i had to wait 3 months of just pain relief before i was referred too the pain clinic, they then examined me and said it was a herniated disc and that i had to have steroid injections, they might work, they might not.. they didnt work... so then at the 6 month mark i was given an MRI.. surprise of surprises, given the extent of issue they admitted that the steriod injection was a waste of time and it wouldnt have worked on me, but they have to try first because it works for some and not others!

i finally had my first surgery at about the 9 month mark, sent home the day after and then 4 weeks after that i was back as the surgery was classed as failed and this time suspected CE.

but during all of this... not being able to work etc... i was never left without pain killers

You’re supposed to get a medication review once a year, mine is just a phone call with the practice pharmacist unless I ask for an extra one because I want to change something and then I get a GP

Give them your mobile number and carry your phone everywhere or get a hands free phone.

With the hospital board everything is confirmed on my mobile. I've been getting messages for a few years now. My GP, hospital, dentist all use this system.

Good luck 🍀

Rats. Ask them to remove your home number or at least prioritize your mobile.

Goodness. Reading this makes me extremely glad I took out private healthcare last week :o I'm so sorry you're in so much pain OP, I've had a slipped disc and my god, its so debilitating and painful. If it is that then you will get better but it takes time - traction was the best thing in the world for me.

Gabapentin from the doc really helped me with the pain.

She won't take it something to do with dementia. Which can happen in the elderly admittedly.

Gabapentin is used in dogs and cats for pain relief and a calming effect on stressed/vicious animals

Amitryptaline is fab, Pregabalin works well for me. So sorry you are in so much pain and hope you are treated soon.

Re weight gain, Amitriptyline has it as a side effect too

But with both that and gabapentin - they don’t directly cause weight gain, they affect your appetite so you eat more and often crave certain stuff.

You’ll also be moving less, obviously, lol and probably grabbing quick food? Because you can’t stand and cook properly…

There are very few medications that literally cause weight gain, most do other stuff that has a knock on effect of causing weight gain.

That probably sounds pedantic, but I mention it because the weight gain isn’t inevitable, it makes it harder to just maintain or lose weight, but you still can.