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AIBU?

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Original poster

A&e, doctors or wait it out?

566 replies

autienotnoughty · 23/11/2024 19:53

Off and on back pain for past 15 years. More on in past two years. Symptoms include lower back pain, painful spasms , shooting pains in thighs. Being managed with physio, Pilates, walking and yoga.

Last six weeks pain has got significantly worse. I keep experiencing weakness in my legs, periods of not being able to stand/needing support to walk and get up.

Today my back has locked three times leaving me unable to walk, getting worse each time. I am now laid flat on my back, I can't sit up. Dh had to drag/walk me to the toilet. I can't walk. I can't turn over. I'm applying heat and cold.
I'm also feverish . I have shooting pains/tingling in my legs plus the back pain and spasms.

Do I go a&e?
Ring doctor Monday?
Ride it out?

OP posts:
LoonaBaboona · 23/11/2024 20:58

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This is terrible advice!
The op can’t walk, there are potential symptoms of cauda equina which can lead to permanent disability.
Boiling your piss or not, the op should be calling an ambulance so she can be checked out properly.

Ceebs85 · 23/11/2024 20:58

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Thank goodness you're not a triage nurse

LBFseBrom · 23/11/2024 20:54

Osteopath or chiropracter.

MyrtleStrumpet · 23/11/2024 20:53

autienotnoughty · 23/11/2024 19:53

Off and on back pain for past 15 years. More on in past two years. Symptoms include lower back pain, painful spasms , shooting pains in thighs. Being managed with physio, Pilates, walking and yoga.

Last six weeks pain has got significantly worse. I keep experiencing weakness in my legs, periods of not being able to stand/needing support to walk and get up.

Today my back has locked three times leaving me unable to walk, getting worse each time. I am now laid flat on my back, I can't sit up. Dh had to drag/walk me to the toilet. I can't walk. I can't turn over. I'm applying heat and cold.
I'm also feverish . I have shooting pains/tingling in my legs plus the back pain and spasms.

Do I go a&e?
Ring doctor Monday?
Ride it out?

@autienotnoughty
This sounds like cauda equina syndrome which is "a particularly serious type of nerve root problem. This is a rare disorder where there is pressure on the nerves at the very bottom of the spinal cord.

The condition may cause low back pain and problems with bowel and bladder function (usually not being able to pass urine), numbness in the saddle area, which is around the back passage (anus), and weakness in one or both legs. It needs urgent investigation and treatment to prevent the nerves to the bladder and bowel from becoming permanently damaged.

See a healthcare professional immediately if you suspect CES

This is from patient info.

Call an ambulance now. You are not wasting anyone's time or money.

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 23/11/2024 20:52

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StandingSideBySide · 23/11/2024 20:52

Zanatdy · 23/11/2024 20:49

Not everyone waits hours in A&E, whenever i’ve been with a serious condition i’ve waited less than 20 mins. They prioritise

The only problem is they won’t consider this a serious condition….sorry OP. Despite the pain they will manage that and make you wait.
No idea how busy your A&E gets but it’s Saturday night here.

Zanatdy · 23/11/2024 20:49

Not everyone waits hours in A&E, whenever i’ve been with a serious condition i’ve waited less than 20 mins. They prioritise

CatalinaLoo · 23/11/2024 20:49

Could be Cauda equina. That’s serious enough for A&E.

BlueMum16 · 23/11/2024 20:41

Ring 111 and get an out of hours GP appointment.

You need some painkillers and an MRI.

Assuming nothing major then physio and exercises.

StandingSideBySide · 23/11/2024 20:41

Sounds like sciatica.
I went to A&E with this. They gave me codeine for the pain and left me waiting 14 hours at which point I gave up and went to see a doctor the next day.
Another guy in A & E for the same also gave up as neither of us could cope with sitting there for so long.

I have since found vitamin D has helped significantly.
Ive been taking vitamin B12 as well ( as I was very low ) so this could be helping too as low b12 can cause nerve damage.

CatCaretaker · 23/11/2024 20:38

I have a congenital fused vertebra that causes lower back pain, and tingling in my leg at its worst. I was told that if I ever experienced weakness in the leg to go to A&E.

Youvebeenframed · 23/11/2024 20:38

Horrendous … A&E for pain relief and find a good chiropractor.
I had all of these symptoms and excruciating sciatica. Umpteen Dr's appointments, physio, acupuncture rattling with painkillers and a chiropractor had me sorted in 6 visits.
I really hope you can get sorted soon 💐

PrawnofthePatriarchy · 23/11/2024 20:37

Try 111. You may need an ambulance.

KTSl1964 · 23/11/2024 20:37

Ex has this - he’s usually given muscle relaxants - we called an ambulance as he couldn’t walk - you need to call an ambulance.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 23/11/2024 20:36

Friend ignored for a bit and turned out was equina. Get thee to a&e!

WhimsicalGubbins76 · 23/11/2024 20:35

Shooting pains or tingling in your legs raises concerns over cauda equina, it should be A&E really. I wouldn’t mess about with possible spinal cord issues.
If you want extra reassurance before attending then phone 111 first, I’m pretty sure they’ll confirm you should be at a&e

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 23/11/2024 20:34

MissMoneyFairy · 23/11/2024 20:26

Either call 111 or for an ambulance, you don't want to cause any more damage being dragged to walk to the toilet. Do you still feel the sensation to use the toilet.

Yes i got the urge it was hard to go but I think that was due to awkward position/pain

OP posts:
JLM1981 · 23/11/2024 20:33

autienotnoughty · 23/11/2024 20:24

Do you still have it?

Show quote history

I do but it's never returned as bad as that A&E experience. I know the warning signs now and stop lifting ANYTHING for a few days if I feel a spasm. I also do regular exercises/stretches for acute back pain (3 times per week) really helps strengthen the lower back to prevent it. And I take Ibuprofen for back/muscle pain I think it's Annadin the brand. Helps.

MissMoneyFairy · 23/11/2024 20:26

Either call 111 or for an ambulance, you don't want to cause any more damage being dragged to walk to the toilet. Do you still feel the sensation to use the toilet.

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 23/11/2024 20:24

JLM1981 · 23/11/2024 20:17

I've had this before. Similar. On and off back pain for years and on the worst occasion I went to A&E as I couldn't sit and actually got stuck in my car trying to drive home from work as the spasms were so bad. Didn't even make it out of the car park then had to be lifted out the car which was agony. Couldn't use my legs properly. Staff member took me to A&E where I had several tests then they gave me muscle relaxants and pain killers. Eased off after a week. Was terrible. Hugs. Get treatment.

Do you still have it?

OP posts:
Original poster
autienotnoughty · 23/11/2024 20:23

itsmylife7 · 23/11/2024 20:14

Have you taken any ibuprofen?

Haven't you had any x rays or scans over the 15 years .

Been taking ibuprofen for past few days. Had a X-ray in2021. Nothing showed. But didn't have the leg pains etc then. No other scans, just keep being offered physio.

OP posts:
JLM1981 · 23/11/2024 20:17

I've had this before. Similar. On and off back pain for years and on the worst occasion I went to A&E as I couldn't sit and actually got stuck in my car trying to drive home from work as the spasms were so bad. Didn't even make it out of the car park then had to be lifted out the car which was agony. Couldn't use my legs properly. Staff member took me to A&E where I had several tests then they gave me muscle relaxants and pain killers. Eased off after a week. Was terrible. Hugs. Get treatment.

itsmylife7 · 23/11/2024 20:14

Have you taken any ibuprofen?

Haven't you had any x rays or scans over the 15 years .

Overthebow · 23/11/2024 20:11

If you can’t sit then phone for an ambulance

everybodystalking · 23/11/2024 20:11

at triage say

  1. you have lost the use of your legs ...x times today
  2. have localised pain
  3. have fever
  4. muscle spasms
  5. difficulty getting to the toilet.

don't say (immediately) that you have 15 years of back pain...say this is new on a background of chronic pain.

Don't lie but to be taken seriously presentation helps!

sorry you must be feeling awful

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