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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
ChickenDeChick · 07/05/2024 15:38

How are you? @Allofaflutter

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 07/05/2024 19:04

Confused my report from the surgeon last week is in. So I’ve copied and pasted the diagnosis.
Working Diagnosis and Plan MRI showed L5/1 disc prolapse causing Left S1 nerve root compression, CES around cauda equina. - Left S1 radiculopathy - analgesia, safety netting, spinal follow up to be arranged.
Investigations requested
Investigation comments

so does that mean I have Cauda Equina? If so why send me home after telling me I didn’t have it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 07/05/2024 19:13

Why not treat me?

OP posts:
ItWillBeDone · 07/05/2024 21:19

It definitely looks like you do. Can you chase up your GP again? Do you have a number for the hospital department? I'd be calling and asking them for urgent advice. I really hope you make some progress. What a worry.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 07/05/2024 22:09

I’ve hacked the email address formation and have sent an email to every spinal surgeon at the hospital. Hopefully that will help me. Gp wasn’t in today but back tomorrow so will see my message about not getting treated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 07/05/2024 22:11

I had come to terms with the fact I can’t raise the money for private treatment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 09:06

Omg it worked the surgeon wants to examine me. I’m going in. Fingers crossed.

OP posts:
buffyslayer · 08/05/2024 09:09

Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 09:06

Omg it worked the surgeon wants to examine me. I’m going in. Fingers crossed.

Everything crossed for you

ItWillBeDone · 08/05/2024 09:12

Lots of luck to you

justasking111 · 08/05/2024 10:11

Good luck 🤞

Flowersandforests · 08/05/2024 10:55

Good luck - honestly shocked how hard you’ve had to fight for this so really hoping you get the help you need now

Topjoe19 · 08/05/2024 12:45

Good luck @Allofaflutter hope you get a resolution finally

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 13:11

Well it’s the same dr and he’s pissed I contacted a consultant. He told me it’s not compressed the cauda equines nerve at all. But I’ve insisted on a new mri

OP posts:
justasking111 · 08/05/2024 13:45

Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 13:11

Well it’s the same dr and he’s pissed I contacted a consultant. He told me it’s not compressed the cauda equines nerve at all. But I’ve insisted on a new mri

Why is that something that annoys the GP? I'm baffled.

Topjoe19 · 08/05/2024 16:19

Well done for standing up for yourself. Get the mri done. Although I think it's dreadful you have to put yourself through another one.

HollaHolla · 08/05/2024 17:05

Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 00:42

Not neuro though

Get a Neurosurgeon. I'm at the other end of the country, so can't advise on who - but I was told repeatedly, to only let a Neuro look at my back.
Good luck to you. You poor thing. You're really going through the mill.

HollaHolla · 08/05/2024 17:13

Allofaflutter · 04/05/2024 20:17

So who is best at reading mris, the person giving the report or the dr on call?

Sorry - just caught up with your other posts. The last thing you need is the additional hassle. It's so difficult when you're not getting supported either. I was incredibly fortunate that my siblings understood when my parents used a whack of cash (about £8k) to cover some private medical expenses for me. They knew they would get it if they've needed it - and they just felt for me, that I was in that situation. I am sorry your sibling is an arse.

Re: reading the report. As standard, it would go to a radiologist/neuro to read, and report back to the Neurosurgery team. However, in an emergency, if you get someone senior enough, they will read it then and there. I know, because I've had both. The routine ones, where the report takes about 4 weeks - from memory.... and, then the middle of the night, cauda equina, emergency one, where the neurosurgery team were standing waiting, and the Specialist Registrar read the scan from the screen, and I was taken straight from the MRI to the operating theatre.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:09

justasking111 · 08/05/2024 13:45

Why is that something that annoys the GP? I'm baffled.

Show quote history

Not the gp the same dr from the on call last week.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:18

So I saw the consultant. Had a new mri. It’s got bigger but the consultant showed me and it’s not squishing the nerves it’s a mm away so it’s enough pressure to cause symptoms but not damage nerves. The main issue is that as I’m only 3 months after a pulmonary embolism blood clots on high blood thinners they can’t operate. It’s far too risky. So I’m I have to hope it doesn’t get bigger and then it will damage the nerves and they can’t stop it without surgery. Another 3/ months then it wouldn’t be so risky. I’m not sure how I feel. But at least I’ve talked to a consultant and had a new mri. And they booked me an appointment next week for clinic. He showed me the mri. I now understand.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:19

HollaHolla · 08/05/2024 17:13

Sorry - just caught up with your other posts. The last thing you need is the additional hassle. It's so difficult when you're not getting supported either. I was incredibly fortunate that my siblings understood when my parents used a whack of cash (about £8k) to cover some private medical expenses for me. They knew they would get it if they've needed it - and they just felt for me, that I was in that situation. I am sorry your sibling is an arse.

Re: reading the report. As standard, it would go to a radiologist/neuro to read, and report back to the Neurosurgery team. However, in an emergency, if you get someone senior enough, they will read it then and there. I know, because I've had both. The routine ones, where the report takes about 4 weeks - from memory.... and, then the middle of the night, cauda equina, emergency one, where the neurosurgery team were standing waiting, and the Specialist Registrar read the scan from the screen, and I was taken straight from the MRI to the operating theatre.

Show quote history

My original one took 48hrs to get report to gp. Today it took 2 hours from mri to results.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:20

Thank you all for the support.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:24

They also said the original mri report was wrong. It’s not compressing the cauda equina it’s just very close mm away.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:25

I don’t feel ignored anymore. Not great news but at least I totally understand it all now.

OP posts:
TheWayBackHome · 08/05/2024 22:29

I'm so glad they took the time to explain things properly OP. Hopefully it'll improve quickly.

justasking111 · 08/05/2024 22:33

Allofaflutter · 08/05/2024 22:25

I don’t feel ignored anymore. Not great news but at least I totally understand it all now.

You know that's all we ask, explain it to us. Armed with knowledge you can start to move forward. The clinic is more progress.

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