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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 · 01/05/2024 12:59

I'm so sorry @Allofaflutter it's an awful time all round

MêmePasPeur · 01/05/2024 14:49

I am sorry that you are going through such a shitty time. Really hope they sort you out soon.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 01/05/2024 21:06

We have been and spent some time with FIL. He’s now in a private room. They have said they have decided that they are not going to do surgery. He’s too old and frail, the risk of not serving the operation are such that it’s not safe. So when it goes it goes. It could be tonight, tomorrow 3 days, 3 months or even a year. But when it goes that’s it very quick. My dh is very upset. We spent some time with MIL too after the visiting hours finished.

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Triflelife · 01/05/2024 22:08

@Allofaflutter gosh your poor DH - I can’t imagine having that hanging over you all. This must be the most anxious time. I hope you still have the diazepam at least it also takes the edge off all the worry as well as the pain.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 01/05/2024 22:19

It’s just awful. It’s the feeling that at anytime, anywhere it will happen. MIL is struggling with the reality as well as my DH and my SIL. They said as they are now giving antibiotics by tablet rather than iv and the pneumonia is on its way out that after that he is coming home. The unsaid words were it doesn’t matter if he is in Hospital or not as there’s zero chance of saving him if the aneurysm bursts. Zero.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 01/05/2024 22:21

The journey didn’t help my pain but it at least got my mind off things.

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justasking111 · 01/05/2024 22:25

My MIL had similar but in her brain. You do learn to put it to the back of your mind and enjoy the time you have. My FIL had dropped dead after a round of golf which was very traumatic. So in a way we had warning with mum which was better.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 01/05/2024 22:42

Thank you both x

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 01/05/2024 22:53

Before we went out I had a shower with help. Afterwards I suddenly felt something in my vagina that felt like a tampon. I felt and it was my cervix, i think it’s prolapsed. Is this related burnoutgp? If not then I’m fed up with it being me having stuff ffs.

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justasking111 · 01/05/2024 23:18

OH crap. Phone the surgery first thing tomorrow 🙈

Topjoe19 · 02/05/2024 09:36

Oh @Allofaflutter I'm so sorry to hear that. Your poor FIL. Please phone your GP today about the prolapse. You must be utterly fed up.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 02/05/2024 10:48

My physio called and it’s not related to my back. Still didn’t need it.

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justasking111 · 02/05/2024 12:43

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/05/2024 10:51

It’s weird cos I can’t bend my little toes on that side. Just my big toe. When the dr was looking at that leg and brought out the reflex hammer and hit my knee and ankle I’ve now got bruises there. The joy of blood thinners.

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Original poster
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.

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Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/05/2024 11:04

I wonder if the stress of my dear FIL is making my pain worse or if it’s just got worse. How do I tell?

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Topjoe19 · 03/05/2024 13:31

I'm sure stress affects pain. How is it now? Do you think because it was slightly better perhaps you were tempted to overdo it slightly? I'm so sorry for what you are going through.

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…

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

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
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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 18:43

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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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 21:27

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

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

It’s 3 weeks tomorrow

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