A&e, doctors or wait it out?

I’d phone for an ambulance , if you have lost the ability to walk and are in severe pain and cannot sit then it’s an emergency.

How on earth would it be an abuse of the ambulance service? What do you think it's for?

X-rays don’t show disc issues, can you pay for a private MRI?

I'd phone for an ambulance. You might have a long wait, but I wouldn't want to risk causing more damage by trying to get there by yourself. I know it's a bit controversial on Mumsnet, but there are times when an ambulance is appropriate.

If OP can't sit, how else is she supposed to get there, or wait once she's arrived?

You really are displaying breathtaking levels of ignorance and knee-jerk ire on this thread. Are you one of these people who reads the words 'back pain' as 'bit of backache, take some ibuprofen and don't bother the NHS'? Because that's certainly how you're coming across.

@Icanthinkformyselfthanks

Your anger is misguided. It doesn't matter how long you've had something, if it escalates, that could indicate an emergency. I had unstable angina. It escalated so I went to A&E and I was having a heart attack - see how it works?

A&E isn't just for people whose legs are hanging off with exposed bones showing.

You're being a twat.

This thread is a prime example of why questions like this should not be allowed.

I do hope the op has called 111, as it would have flagged the symptoms of cauda equina which is very serious.

1000% A&E

I bloody hope not.

@Icanthinkformyselfthanks Just wondering if you’re an NHS employee?

Any change in your ability to walk or change in bladder or bowel habits related to a back injury is an A&E visit.
in your case, preferably by ambulance as your ability to sit or stand is not present .
Best wishes

She’s not having an asthma attack.

Definitely a&e

exactly the same as me - always had back issues but had a period when it felt very unstable and I was suddenly unable to put weight through my legs and thought I’d pass out from the pain. I went to A&E and had a bulging disc but nothing more “serious” so to speak. Not minimising your situation and do what you think is best - but honestly I thought something much worse was going on that they’d find immediately.

Firstly, so sorry for your pain. It takes other sufferers to understand the agony.
You definitely need to get checked for cauda equina.
As it’s Saturday night you will clearly have a long wait, but it is necessary due to the possibility of an incredibly serious condition.
If this condition is ruled out, you will probably be sent home with advice about painkillers.
When I was in a similar situation to you in the summer, I was sent home without any further tests.
A subsequent MRI revealed a fracture at L3, bulging disc causing nerve pain & arthritis of sacral joints.
I do hope cauda equina is excluded & you get a diagnosis. Update us!

I’d call an ambulance. My father had a similar background to you - years of back
issues. Then one day he couldn’t get up and initially thought it was an extension of that. And well, I won’t scare you with what it was, because this probably isn’t that, but you need to go to to the hospital and get checked out ASAP.

Please go to a&e, I had a very similar situation and ended up calling an ambulance as I completely lost power in my legs, had an mri almost on arrival, where it was discovered I had cauda equina, emergency surgery that night. Very much an emergency so please do get help.

Apparently not no. You’re just expected to manage the symptoms and then die. The you can try and phone the GP the next working day, post mortem

Cauda equina is an emergency.
So get off your soapbox.

Anyone showing symptoms of symptoms of cauda equina will ALWAYS be sent straight to a&e. Unless you receive urgent surgical intervention, it causes permanent paralysis.

Hopefully op just has a particularly bad case of sciatica, but she won’t know until she’s seen

I've had asthma for 30 years. If I had an asthma attack would that not be an emergency?

Do you have a fever? A fever (as in high temperature not just feeling hot) can be an A&E issue especially if its not coming down with paracetamol.

The rest will not be dealt with at A&E as its not an Accident or Emergency and I say that as someone with skeletal issues that has back problems aswell and have personally learned this. A&E only deal with it if you have had a high risk accident (long fall, car crash, horse tredding etc...) or if you have loss of bowel/bladder control. Sitting in A&E in pain, being ignored and then sent home won't help and if your anything like me it will be hard physically getting there.

Back pain does suck and if its too much to wait till Monday to be seen then call 111 and ask for an emergency care center walk in appointment. They will see you much faster, prescribe medications and possibly send you straight for tests (like scans or xray's) if needed.

Cauda equina IS an emergency! Jeez.