Cauda Equina Syndrome?

[CheckeredShirtsRule]

Would you be concerned about CES with these symptoms? I don’t want to bother my GP or waste time and resources at the ED.

Severe low back pain with stiffness (unable to sit or walk)
Feeling the need to pee all day (but no issues peeing other than urgency)
Pins and needles in one foot
Mild tingling sensation down the back of legs
Burning sensation in lower back along with feeling icy in the same region.

Thoughts?

Yes (I had CE)
Better to be told it's not than not be seen

Sounds more like Sciatica.
Physio assessment would appear appropriate.
In my area you can self refer to practice physio but practices differ. You may need to see GP first. Totally not wasting GP's time - That's what they are there for.

I would certainly be talking to the gp about those symptoms

@Craver I don’t think it’s sciatica, there’s no pain going down my legs. Physio has been ongoing for months and has been useless.

I'll add my symptoms in case they're helpful for anyone reading this thread in future
Foot drop (I had to drag my leg to walk)
Pins and needles, tingling, severe pain in my leg then total numbness
Couldn't do a straight leg raise
Had full bowel and bladder control
Sensation like warm water running down my legs

I had CES, you could ask for a referral for an mri. Just keep an eye out for any numbness around saddle region, if that happens go straight to A&E.

Please see your gp ASAP.

GP is of no help , unfortunately they are too busy. Would an urgent treatment centre provide strong painkillers?

Well if it is Cauda Equina, painkillers are not what you need. Surgery is what you’ll need, and quickly. If you want pain meds, then the doctor will supply them. You will need an mri though so ask your doc to refer you. How long has it been going on?

I’ve had chronic back pain for a while but this latest saga has been going on for two weeks now with no end in appearance.

Does your GP know what your concerns are? Potential CE is very serious

Ok so here’s my experience. Bad sciatic pain started in April 2021, tingling down leg, unable to bend over, . Back and fore to doc for meds, physio which didn’t work. In some sort of pain for months. Sometimes worse than others. Was on waiting list for mcas for mri.

One evening I went numb in saddle area, sat in a&e all night, had mri scan first thing in morning, CES discovered, surgery within 4 hours.
If you look at the main CES symptoms, if you have any one of them, get to a&e. Otherwise just treat the pain.

@Bikeybikeface That sounds scary <flowers>

I don’t have numbness in the saddle area just an urgency to pee. Is saddle numbness the key defining symptom?

I had similar symptoms but then my left leg started to give way without warning . I went to A&E and was seen very promptly and had an urgent MRI to rule out CE. I didn't have CE...I have bulging discs that are impinging on nerves. I've had extensive physio and I'm still on crutches...a year later.
You really would need an MRI to see what's going on . You certainly wouldn't be 'bothering' the doctor.

Saddle numbness is a big neon sign flashing. In regards to bladder, with me, I found that I’d be bursting to go, and leaking because I was so full to bursting. The CES stopped me emptying my bladder fully so I needed to go more often. I think any change to your bladder should be investigated though.

Yes, certainly don’t worry about pushing the doctor for help.

If I go to the emergency room am I likely to be scanned today? I have nobody to have my DC overnight.

No it's not always. Please ask for an MRI or go to urgent care . I know from bitter experience this needs to be treated asap.

Is it likely I’ll get scanned today? My last experience of a&e was being discharged at 3am. I don’t want to repeat that with this pain.

My friend thought she had sciatica but turned out to be CE. Had to have an urgent operation. Please ask for a referral for a scan.

When I had CE I was numb on the inner thighs which is one of the tell tale signs apparently. Also can be around your anus.

I’d still go get checked out. But was told the above is an immediate hospital admission.

I wish you all the best.

The urgency to pee is big red flag.

Plus unless someone actually examines your bum you may not be aware of numbness.

You need checking out - better to have wasted your time than end up with serious nerve damage

My GP has just called and asked for a urine sample. There’s no further medication to be offered for back pain; more tests but focusing on the pelvic area.

I did mention my symptoms but they weren’t too concerned so I will be aware but it doesn’t seem to warrant an emergency visit.

@CheckeredShirtsRule I was prescribed diazepam which alleviated my back spasm and stopped it happening again. Is that something your doctor would consider?

If GP is looking at a urine test then in the circumstances I would advise straight to hospital with an explanation of a new symptom relating to defecation feeling odd. I'd do this deliberately based on the consequences of any progression and risk of permanent disability. You might worry about overnight child care, if it does progress, how long do you think you might end up in hospital after surgery?