Should I go to A&E?

Don't take my word for it, but I had read that ibuprofen is only a problem during the first and third trimesters. Which might be why you were told to take it.

I'm not a doctor or a physio, but I have had a bulging disc which gave me similar pain and immobility. What helped me was a TENS machine and hot baths (not at the same time, obvs) and kneeling on the floor curled up into a foetal position. Various drugs prescribed didn't even touch the pain.

Good luck, OP

depends on the area, they won't where i am unless its an absolute emergency, i had to wait 18mo and go through the MSK team for mine.

This info may be helpful in deciding whether to go to A&E or not.

www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/display-pil/pil-back-pain-6069/

That's not true. I've had two MRIs for back pain via A and E

does the osteo specialise in pregnancy?

Have you been to this one before?

the problem is with sciatica that the type of pain relief required for nerve pain is limited, and has some nasty side effects.

Most pain relief won't work and if anti-inflammatories WILL help, they're often not recommended in pregnancy.

I take gabapentin and naproxen to keep mine ay bay, and some days it still doesn't touch it.. hence me using crutches/wheelchair at 43.

i think pain relief is more important than a diagnosis and an mri

Go to A&E OP.

I had a slipped disc earlier this year, very similar symptoms to you (although I wasn't pregnant). I contacted 111 who arranged for me to have an appointment in A&E (might be something to consider).

I did have a bit of a wait but ultimately ended up with an MRI to rule out cauda equina (I had a weakness in one of my legs and couldn't stand on it). That's how they diagnosed the slipped disc - gave me codeine (60mg 4x day for the first 3 days, then dropped to 30mg 4 x day) and I eventually left 14 hours after I'd arrived.

The pain is the worst I have ever had - worse than either toothache, neuralgia, childbirth, or migraine.

I get all the people saying go to ED, and yes you should go as advised, but I would absolutely be prepared for them not to do anything. Even if they can identify what’s wrong, it’s unlikely they’ll do anything other than physio whilst you’re pregnant. If the osteopath will see you, then hopefully that helps. I had something similar when pregnant and it was solved by swimming. Wasn’t the same or as constant as what you describe but excruciating pain in certain positions. Something had popped out of place and was put back by the leg motion of breaststroke.

not pregnant but i do have a messed up lower back and sciatica. (my l5/s1 is gone)

small tip that might help, do not sit straight up from your bed, you will put more pressure on the disks and sciatic nerve.

lay on your side on the edge of the bed, let your legs drop off the bed and at the same time use that momentum and the help of your arm to lever yourself up sideways.

If its issues weight bearing on one leg, its quite likely its your SI joint on that side, they can get 'stuck' and there isn't much you can do other than wait for it to unstick..

I recently had to start using crutches rather than a walking stick to try and level out my gait as i walk with a limp because of referred pain and joint issues and my SI joints joined the party...

I do know exercises for helping release the SI, but i'm not sure they're safe in pregnancy so won't pass them on.. and the downside if you CAN do them, is they irritate the sciatic nerve... that was a fun week for pain, not. But on the upside, my SI joint 'unstuck' after 4/5 days.

Good luck, i hope it resolves for you.

….unless they have features suggestive of cauda equina syndrome and then they just might…before deciding to admit/transfer. HTH.

Yes if they admit her they can but they won't do an mri for anyone just waiting in a&e

My GP told me they are not allowed to refer for MRIs, has to be done through the consultant/clinic you are referred to.

This is not correct, if they are concerned they may admit and then an MRI could be done.

I think you’re doing this the wrong way round OP. Go to A&E first. If you get the all clear from them or better feedback as to the cause, you can go to an osteopath afterwards for some practical relief if necessary/appropriate.

This is utterly bizarre

You have been explicitly advised by medics to go to A&E

But you’re booking in with Osteos (presumably you’ll have to get to him too?) and mumsnetting

when i was pregnant, i followed whatever my midwife / doc suggested!

They told you to go to A&E.

Go to A&E.

Why are you messing about making osteopath appointments and posting on here when your midwife has told you to go to A&E?

GO TO A&E

if professionals are telling you to go to A&E, I think you have to go now before it gets too mad on a Friday night

You won't get an mri through a&e they only offer xray and ct which would be unlikely to be given due to the risks when pregnant. I know it must be so painful but unless you lose bladder control/incontinence they won't be concerned and will only give pain relief which your gp has already done.

So you have been told by health professionals to go to A&E and you are asking Mumsnet ? You know what you should be doing 🙂

So your midwife team have told you to go to a&e and the gp have told you to go if things get worse, but your questioning whether you should go?

The medical professionals are telling you to go to A&E. Why haven't you gone yet?