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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
MyrtleStrumpet · 19/12/2024 21:28

Yes, but also talk to every healthcare person you come into contact with and ask them about it. Make a fuss.

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 21:21

@MyrtleStrumpet through gp?

OP posts:
MyrtleStrumpet · 19/12/2024 21:04

autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 20:58

Thank you I just feel really alone. The GP doesn't seem to have a clue. They couldn't advise on pain meds. I've started physio but it's very basic on the bed exercises. I have an appointment with the consultant in jan which I'm hoping might help.

Show quote history

I think you should ask to see a pain specialist. You won't be able to progress until you have it under control.

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 20:58

MatildaTheCat · 19/12/2024 18:47

With pain control it’s important to keep your pain within a reasonable range and not allow it to peak. It’s far easier to do this when you’re on a schedule rather than trying to brave it out. I obviously also pace myself a huge amount and it’s taken years to get to my current state.

A disc prolapse will almost always resolve itself eventually but it will take time and if you have decent pain control you will be able to start moving around more easily, not tense up and start physio. I winced when I read you were forced into sitting in hospital. I still can’t sit comfortably for any length of time. Do what feels possible. You’ll get there.

Thank you I just feel really alone. The GP doesn't seem to have a clue. They couldn't advise on pain meds. I've started physio but it's very basic on the bed exercises. I have an appointment with the consultant in jan which I'm hoping might help.

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 19/12/2024 18:47

With pain control it’s important to keep your pain within a reasonable range and not allow it to peak. It’s far easier to do this when you’re on a schedule rather than trying to brave it out. I obviously also pace myself a huge amount and it’s taken years to get to my current state.

A disc prolapse will almost always resolve itself eventually but it will take time and if you have decent pain control you will be able to start moving around more easily, not tense up and start physio. I winced when I read you were forced into sitting in hospital. I still can’t sit comfortably for any length of time. Do what feels possible. You’ll get there.

MatildaTheCat · 19/12/2024 18:41

autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 18:10

@MatildaTheCat are you taking these meds long term?

Yes. It’s quite complicated but I have an injury that can’t improve ( and widespread joint problems).

Cyb3rg4l · 19/12/2024 18:27

autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 16:06

I could try stopping the asprin or paracetamol but i don't want the back pain to get worse

Please don’t mess with your pain medication, you need it to get better. Are you making sure you are eating at the right times for the medication? Drinking enough? Dehydration is a bastard for causing headaches and the pain meds mess with your appetite. Sometimes the simple things make all the difference!

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 18:10

@MatildaTheCat are you taking these meds long term?

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 19/12/2024 17:15

I’m sorry you’re going through all this. I’ve been there and have the T-shirt. I did have surgery and it wasn’t a success now have chronic pain in my back and leg.

im going to post my med regime in case it’s helpful. It was a case of trial and error and an excellent GP.

8am
tramadol x2
naproxen 500mg
pregablin 75mg
omeprazole 20mg

1pm
tramadol x2

6pm
cocodamol 30/500x 2
pregablin 75
naproxen 500

10pm
cocodamol 30/500 x 2
amitriptyline 10mg

some of those doses may be wrong for you but the mixture of opiates, anti inflammatories and nerve pain suppressants makes it possible for me to live my life reasonably well. I’m also absolutely addicted to my plug in heat pads.

I wish you well. I started a long running thread on here called the back story which brought me a lot of support from others who understood.

Keep the faith, you will get through this.

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 16:50

LongDarkTeatime · 19/12/2024 16:08

Have you taken you blood pressure recently?

Today it was normal

OP posts:
LongDarkTeatime · 19/12/2024 16:08

Have you taken you blood pressure recently?

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 16:06

I could try stopping the asprin or paracetamol but i don't want the back pain to get worse

OP posts:
Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 16:05

I went to doctors they said either tension headaches or meds. He suggested giving it a few days and gave me a number for iapt. He offered sumatriptan but I wasn't keen to throw something else in the mix.

OP posts:
WinterBones · 19/12/2024 13:07

it could be a med reaction headache, i know my friend who has POTs, hEDS, VVS and chronic migraine was told to stop taking pain relief as they felt it was causing her migraines more than helping them.. she used to take aspirin and co-codamol i think.

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 09:48

justasking111 · 19/12/2024 09:44

Are you taking anything to protect your stomach lining with these drugs. Often they prescribe PPIs for that. Might explain the nausea

Just lansasoprole. I was given anti sickness in hospital but they never added it to my prescription for going home

OP posts:
justasking111 · 19/12/2024 09:44

Are you taking anything to protect your stomach lining with these drugs. Often they prescribe PPIs for that. Might explain the nausea

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 09:16

@Skibidee thank you doctor is seeing me in a hour. I'm going to ask I have taken a lot of paracetamol in the past 3 weeks. I'd heard mixed reviews about tens machines.

OP posts:
Skibidee · 19/12/2024 09:13

autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 08:00

I'm wondering if it's a medication reaction. I've been taking 2 tapentadol, 2 asprin and 8 paracetamol a day for 3.5 weeks

Show quote history

Sweetheart, paracetamol is well known for causing medication overuse headache….please speak to your GP. Have you thought about trying something like a TENS machine, you could ask your physio to show you the points to use and where to buy one if they don’t have a loan scheme.

Flannelectomy · 19/12/2024 09:04

Monvelo · 19/12/2024 08:08

Naproxen is a nerve pain blocker, it's what I was given for prolapsed discs and sciatica. You have to take it consistently every day. I also had strong codeine for a while. Aspirin and paracetamol don't make much sense.

Edited

No it's not it's an NSAID like ibuprofen just a more potent one. A drug for nerve pain would be something like amitriptyline, gabapentin or pregabalin

Monvelo · 19/12/2024 08:58

If it's not doing it's job I would speak to your GP to see if there's an alternative. Apologies if you've already done that.

Naproxen was what my physio first prescribed, she works with spinal surgeons and does rehab in the hospital. But I'm sure there are lots of options so if something isn't right you can try something else.

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 08:16

Monvelo · 19/12/2024 08:08

Naproxen is a nerve pain blocker, it's what I was given for prolapsed discs and sciatica. You have to take it consistently every day. I also had strong codeine for a while. Aspirin and paracetamol don't make much sense.

Edited

It's what the pain management team gave me in hospital and sent me home with a months supply

OP posts:
Monvelo · 19/12/2024 08:08

Naproxen is a nerve pain blocker, it's what I was given for prolapsed discs and sciatica. You have to take it consistently every day. I also had strong codeine for a while. Aspirin and paracetamol don't make much sense.

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 08:00

Monvelo · 19/12/2024 07:06

I wouldn't have thought ibuprofen would do that. Have you got naproxen?

I'm wondering if it's a medication reaction. I've been taking 2 tapentadol, 2 asprin and 8 paracetamol a day for 3.5 weeks

OP posts:
Monvelo · 19/12/2024 07:06

I wouldn't have thought ibuprofen would do that. Have you got naproxen?

Original poster
autienotnoughty · 19/12/2024 06:46

Happyhappyday · 19/12/2024 05:57

My dad had a bulging disc a few years ago and they did what you’ve had - opiates, Physio etc. did not help, partly because he does not tolerate opiates well so they struggled to control side effects.

He ended up having surgery and recovered within a couple months fully (he is very active and skied several weeks within 4 months of the surgery). We are not UK though and have excellent health insurance so options were more flexible, I would have a look at what the NICE guidelines recommend and see if you are getting that care or a more aggressive approach is warranted.

It's a mild bulge they won't operate at this stage

OP posts: