A&e, doctors or wait it out?

I suggested that but I thought you were already on your way to hospital.

That’s what you’d do once the hospital have ruled out worst case scenarios.

Not mean in the slightest.

If you dint think being able to walk or pee isn't a medical emergency with the ambulance wait and assessment, that's fine.

Delays in treating caudal equina can cause permanent damage. Speedy treatment is key.

If you can't walk or sit call 999 for an ambulance.

I'm a nurse.

Please call an ambulance now, I very much doubt you'll be left waiting for hours on a plastic chair. Plus we can give you decent pain relief!

Hope you're okay

It really does sound like you need an Ambulance. I had back pain a few weeks ago that I think was sciatica and standing or sitting was near on impossible but it went after a day or so. I phoned my GP who said to look out for the symptoms you have and if I got them to go to hospital.

Take care and I hope you get treatment.

I get that you're trying to talk yourself down but honestly however you get there I think you need to be in hospital as you've been advised by 111. It sounds like you couldn't get down the stairs so you're going to need some assistance to do that. Rather than awaiting a clinicians call did 111 say what to do if it got worse. I can't see how you can avoid ring an ambulance and although you'll wait ages at least you'll do that at home and then presumably be transported flat on a stretcher (once you've been chair lifted downstairs)

I'm sorry it sounds scary but this isn't one to ignore

You know you don't actually have to take 111 advice or wait for their permission you can just call 999 yourself and get an ambulance

without being rude.. FGS call a bloody ambulance if it is THAT bad. You need pain relief if nothing else, you CANNOT carry on like this.

The pain level alone is worth an ambulance ride, never mind throwing in the red flag CE symptoms.

Stop being an idiot, please.

You wanted a. "less panicked response" than from 111? Frankly, and kindly meant, you're behaving like an idiot. Go to A and E if they suggest it.

Get yourself to A and E asap. If you unable to get to or in the car then call for an ambulance. You need to be assessed regardless of waiting time records

You have described "red flag" symptoms of cauda eqina syndrome . Its a medical emergency and you have a 24 hour window to avoid paralysis . Don't wait for tomorrow or a private MRI . Yes its very rare and more likely sciatica with no spinal cord compression but its not a wait and watch situation . I had years or back pain, dismissed by my GP for months before completely losing all feeling from the waist down and despite emergency surgery the damage means i am now in a wheel chair and incontinent . I wish i had gone to A and E . Sit or lie in what ever position in the car you can manage and lie on the floor if you need to at the hospital but you should be seen quickly because of your symptoms.

111 have said a&e so go to a&e. The clinician will also try and convince you to go to a&e as that's the safest option for you, if the option was ambulance you would have been sent one. Just go to the hospital, I understand it's painful but you've been told what to do, why wait?

@autienotnoughty You're not thinking clearly. If you book a private MRI, you'll still have the same issues with getting in/sitting in a car, won't you? You need a medical evaluation of your symptoms. You can't just jump to an MRI, because you won't get treatment from it, you'll get a diagnosis. You need diagnosis and treatment.

Don't wait for a call back, that might take hours, just call an ambulance now.

Go to A&E OP. I herniated 3 discs in my back and well remember the agony that was the car ride to the hospital, the scans etc. But you must go and get checked out. Obviously significantly less than ideal but do you have an estate car where you can lie in the boot with the back seats down, with lots of duvets for padding? Otherwise if you genuinely can't get in the car phone an ambulance.

I'm concerned about your difficulty to wee.

There's one test that the GP told me about. If when you wipe your bottom area it feels a bit numb that's a really bad sign.

"Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) - Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust" https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/services/specialist-spinal-orthopaedic-physiotherapy-service/common-spinal-conditions/cauda-equina-syndrome/

Please check this list.

@Brownwitch first I had severe pain, then I lost feeling in my leg and had foot drop, I could only walk dragging it but it wasn't CE at that point
I was in bed and it was like a sudden rush of warm water feeling down my legs. Lay there for a bit contemplating then took myself to a&e and said "I'm due to have surgery in 48hrs for my back and I think I have CE"
They scanned and confirmed it was

This is mean. Op has clearly said she can’t sit & her A&E is particularly busy & that she could go in the morning. She’s phoned 111. She can’t walk or stand so sitting on a hard a&e chair with no guarantee she’ll be seen by morning is a genuine concern. Sat night at a&e will be far worse than sun am.

Hopefully they’ll decide to send ambulance op. Good luck to you🥰

Get thee to A&E. Straight away.

OP - As per PP, if you can get to A&E please go!! No it's not an ideal situation, but it sounds like you need medical attention, and it could take hours for an ambulance to turn up.

@autienotnoughty My pelvic & lumbar MRI took 30 minutes. The staff were extremely sympathetic & raised my legs over a pillow. I could see the ceiling when moved into the machine. It was uncomfortable but I knew it had to be done for a diagnosis to cure the pain.