A&e, doctors or wait it out?

I had this recently. A@e werent interested unless I had symptoms of cauda equina (see google). Always call 111 before going to a&e unless its a heart attack. I live alone and was completely immobile. My GP sent the rapid response team in to take me to the loo. It was awful.

Gosh OP sounds like you’ve been through one hell of an ordeal, glad you’ve been admitted and have a diagnosis. Hope you can find meds that help suppress the pain whilst you recover.

cant believe they won’t consider surgery for such acute pain, but I guess it depends on how much disc compression you have. I’ve had two discectomy ops (12 yrs apart). I never got to the point of A&E admission but nerve damage in leg / foot both times was serious enough for it to happen. Still have permanent nerve damage but acute pain has gone.

It wasn’t PR in Telford was it, their A&E times are awful? In Jan my husband had to sit for 36hrs in a bog standard chair after being blue lighted with stroke symptoms, people in the “fit to sit” space with him were on drips and lots were in agony! He got upgraded to a trolly in a corridor, then finally admitted 6hrs later.

best wishes for a speedy recovery

It will get better though I realise it doesn't feel like it when you are on a hospital ward.

I have a hip problem that subluxes and that has led to bulging discs because I have been trying to put most of my weight on one leg for years.

When my hip or back go out or into spasm I have very strong muscle relaxants to stop it getting as bad as yours has got. I also have Butran pain patches to keep the pain at a level I can sleep.

For now, try and imagine yourself floating in a warm pool and trick your mind so you can get some rest - hopefully once you think of yourself in a pool you will be able to relax enough to sleep or to move and not seize up

It is frightening and I do feel for you. I have experienced it, many years ago, but it went off within a day. I had hoped the same for you, then someone talked about the symptoms of cauda equina and that was scary. It now sounds as though you have a disc problem which can be sorted; it will take time, autieno, but you will recover. I am so sorry you are going through this, it's horrible to be in hospital, helpless, whatever the cause or the predicted outcome; we are so vulnerable at times. We're all rooting for you. I hope you get some sleep.

I had major spinal fusion surgery and it left me mostly bedbound. I certainly wouldn't rush to it, it often doesn't help and can worsen things.

Since that surgery I've had several bulging and herniated discs. When my L3-L5 herniated I was left with incontinence, the GP didn't believe me and then it took 4 months for them to arrange a scan. Due to all the metalwork in my spine they couldn't see clearly. I learned to live with it and after 18 months had more movement and less pain but I still can't control my bladder and bowel properly.

Recently it was my SI dislocated and I was left lying on the floor of A&E for 13 hours and eventually sent away with morphine that didn't help. It is terrifying when you can't bear any weight on your legs. My fused area is now causing difficulty with being able to weight bear or lift my torso and I have had moments being scared, but somehow you get used to it.

I've learned to enjoy what I can and live within these limits. It's mostly only other people's lack of understanding and unrealistic expectations that upset me and make life more difficult. For a lot of people they recover and get on with life, I hope you have a smooth recovery OP and that your husband continues to help, that'll make all the difference for you.

After 25 years of ongoing back pain which is normal or due to old age (I was 15 when it started). Take the surgery!

Have you not experienced chronic back pain before? You kinda get on with it because there’s no choice. How you feeling? Did something happen to trigger it?

I had a ruptured disc.
Nobody believed me that something serious was going on, but it got to the point where I couldn’t walk.
Finally, they put me in hospital and called in a neurosurgeon. This was years before MRIs so they did a bunch of unpleasant tests - even a spinal tap & found an infection in my spinal fluid.
So anyhow, he operated (after 30 damn days) and found I had a ruptured disc and removed it and closed me back up and guess what?
That was 1981 and I haven’t had a single solitary bit of trouble since.
Bur it was one hell of a year before that.
I wish you nothing but a pain-free life. ❤️

I delivered my third baby with zero painkillers and the gas and air was broken.

I'd rather do that than go through those back spasms again.

Ambulance x

Yup, saw that after I posted

Unnecessary.

Sending hugs op. What an ordeal x

If you RTFT you'll see the OP already went to A and E.

111 is always my first port of call. We rang when my husband had a pain in his leg - within 20 minutes there was an ambulance outside the house. He had a dvt
a few weeks ago I rang them and they got me to see an out of hours doctor within 3 hours. Admittedly I ended up at ED but it saves time as you’re already in the system when you get there.

Rapid deterioration +fever= A&E

I had similar and diagnosed with 3 bulging discs after an MRI. I was not able to sit or stand and ended up on a trolley as emergency case as thought i may have cauda equina which is immediate surgery. Please be careful especially with pain down leg and if you loose any sensation down below you need to go straight to a and e. Hope you get sorted as the pain was worse than childbirth and my other half had never seen me cry before in pain xx

When I can't sleep or wake up in pain. I pop on a streaming service and listen to a series I know well. At the moment it's Friends. I find that relaxes me.

I'm lying in front of the log burner on my stomach just now. Making up the bed with clean linen this evening has done a number on my lumbar region. When my back does this my feet get cold the Labrador ate my sheepskin slippers the other day so I'm 🥶

OBVIOUSLY you should have read the OP's updates before wading in. But I'm sure she will appreciate your apology.

I've been following for a couple of days, but you were inundated with messages and it felt like a lot to deal with.

I really hope you're feeling better this evening. I'm sure it's been said before, but try and keep calm. Try and make the most of being off your feet. Can you use the time lying down to buy Christmas presents or plan for things? I know it's really not how you want it to be, but if you try flipping it on its head, you might start to relax your muscles, which will definitely help.

If you have some headphones, try popping on a mediation video on YT. It might not be your scene, but it will relax your large
muscle groups and your mind. I tried it when I was suffering last year, and I was amazed at how much it helped.

Also I really want to add that the medication can make you emotional and weepy. Very common. Also add to the fact you haven't slept properly for days, it's no wonder you're feeling wobbly.

I've had severe back pain before and I know how horrendous it can be. You have my sympathies and I really hope it improves soon

OP I know it's hard not to be able to sit up to eat etc but my advice is just try to lie still and relax as possible whilst keeping your pain relief meds regular. I had two herniated discs and it was absolutely hellish for a week or so until the pain relief and rest started to help. I remember lots of staring at the ceiling and trying to sleep as much as possible. Then gently getting yourself going again.

I will never forget how even the simplest movement, something you wouldn't even think involved your back, like moving your facial muscles caused me pain. It is rough but honestly it will be ok - and the calmer and nore positive you can be despite the situation the more your muscles will relax and the pain ease a bit. Good luck!

@Iwanttoputmytreeup OBVIOUSLY I’d not seen she was on a ward. I do apologise.