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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be seriously considering A&E

66 replies

SourSweets · 10/01/2014 10:59

Despite it not being an accident or an emergency. I know you shouldn't go if you can avoid it, but I don't know what else to do.

I have an ongoing knee problem. First it was diagnosed as Anterior Knee, then Bursitis, in the last week the pain has got dramatically worse, to the point where I am limping and crying and can barely bend my legs. Went back to the doctor this morning who said it's inflamed, there's something going on with the soft tissue but she doesn't know what. It's also causing me a lot of ankle pain because I'm adapting how I walk to cope with the knee pain. She's given me a shed load of codeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen

She has referred me for an MRI scan but I have to wait 4-6 weeks for it. A month and a half! In this much pain. I can't bear it. I'm also worried about taking codine for that long, that's strong stuff, it makes you drowsy and I have a 5 month old to look after.

I've called NHS Direct to see what my options are about speeding this along and she said I don't have any other options. I started crying on the phone and she just said "well I can continue with the assessment if you insist, but there's really no point as you've already had one done."

My husband can't get out of work early to help me with the baby so that I can rest my knees and ankles. I'm seriously considering going to A&E to get the MRI done there because I don't feel like I have another option. Although I can't take the baby to what is essentially a room full of virus, so Id have to go tomorrow wgen he's being looked after by his dad.

Fuck. I should just take the drugs and wait it out shouldn't i?

OP posts:
BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 10/01/2014 11:23

I take naproxen daily for arthritis, its a v good anti inflammatory :)

Quick thing though, I assume you're not breastfeeding on the codeine?

CouthyMow · 10/01/2014 11:23

Naproxen would help I'm on three a day and they don't make you drowsy.

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 10/01/2014 11:25

(I took naproxen right through breastfeeding btw, if you are)

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 11:27

I an breastfeeding, yeah. I asked the doctor about that and she said it was fine... (Still concerned about it though tbh)

OP posts:
BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 10/01/2014 11:30

Regulations were only changed last summer, so the gp might not know.

here

Don't panic though, I took it just before the regs changed and it was fine :)

Nancy66 · 10/01/2014 11:31

Will icing the knee help?

I get sore knees (not as bad as you I realise) and icing always brings some relief

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 11:35

Oh, thank you Beyond! I'm not going to take it then, I'm sure it's only a small risk but I am very PFB. Smile

I'll see how I get on with the Ibuprofen and ask for naproxen if I need it.

OP posts:
sockssandalsandafork · 10/01/2014 11:35

Is there no way you could afford to go private? I imagine it would be around £250, could you put it on a credit card, borrow it? If I were as desperate as you sound then that's what I would do.

sweetheart · 10/01/2014 11:35

Another saying A&E won't do an MRI. I've dislocated my knee twice playing sports and been taken to A&E - neither time did I get an MRI. Ended up having one after being referred and having to wait.

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 11:36

Nancy, I've tried that (the doctor also recommended it) but it doesn't really do anything. How long do you do it for?

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 10/01/2014 11:37

OP have you been checked out for blood clots?

I had a knee problem after taking up skipping, I thought I had tendon/ligament issues, went to my GP and found that my pain was through a blood clot.

I am still awaiting physio but being on warfarin has got rid of my pain.

We have a system at two local A&E's that have open scanner drop in facilities, though.

Not everyone is lucky in what is available.

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 11:37

Sweetheart, you had to wait for an MRI after a dislocation? Fuck me, that's harsh. I hope you're all healed up now.

OP posts:
Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 11:38

No, I've not been checked for blood clots. We're there any other symptoms?

OP posts:
3littlefrogs · 10/01/2014 11:43

How old is your baby? (Highest risk of DVT is in the 6 weeks post delivery)
Is the pain definitely in your knee?
Do you have calf pain?
Is your leg swollen?
Look at the veins in your ankle/foot. Compare with the other leg. Are they prominent/swollen?
Is there any redness?

sweetheart · 10/01/2014 11:44

yes I did. the first dislocation I got an x-ray and refered for physio. It was only after the 2nd dislocation that they agreed to do an MRI and I still had to wait for it.

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 11:46

He's 5 months. Pain started behind the knee cap but has moved and spread to the inside and back of the knee, and down the leg a bit. Then there's more pain in the ankles, pretty much all round. It's both knees but one is worse. I don't think there's any redness or weird veins but there is some swelling.

OP posts:
gnushoes · 10/01/2014 11:49

One option would be to go an see a physio privately (it would probably cost around £30 for that first appointment) and ask them to check out what they think the problem is. Physios much better at knees than GP. If nothing else they will be able to give you an idea of what the problem is/anything you can do to help yourself/pointers for GP while you are waiting for MRI.

3littlefrogs · 10/01/2014 11:52

Anti-inflammatories would be better than codeine.
I would take them regularly, as prescribed and give it a couple of days to see whether it improves.
Can your husband look after the baby over the weekend so that you can rest?
Also - wear the softest, thickest soled shoes you can. If you have some air filled trainers they will act as shock absorbers and reduce the impact on your knee.

3littlefrogs · 10/01/2014 11:53

And yes - totally agree about the physio.

CrispyHedgeHog · 10/01/2014 11:59

If you can, ask your gp for Brufen granules, they're ibuprofen in soluble form and much more effective than tablets.. I'm sorry you're in so much pain :(

Slubberdegullion · 10/01/2014 12:00

Phone consult with GP to update them on your change in symptoms. Also if you have clicking, locking or giving way those are symptoms that HCP's are listening out for wrt knees. Ask for an urgent referral to your hospital physio dept. Ask GP to put on the referral the recent change in symptoms, your difficulty walking and that you are a carer for an infant. This will have you triaged you quicker by the physios.

Phone hospital physio dept to see if they have a self referral service. Some do. If not tell them that you are being referred by your GP (if they have agreed to do this) and ask if they do telephone consults with an outpatient physio. Some do. this might speed the process up a bit and they can have you flagged up for a new patient appointment if they have a cancellation.

in the mean time, regular analgesia and antiinflammatories. Rest, ice, compression elevation as possible with a baby.

Bloodyholly · 10/01/2014 12:07

I had issues with a painful and inflamed knee for about 3 years. It started as a dull ache and gradually worsened until I couldn't walk without pain, couldn't bend the knee, tender to touch on sides and up the back from top of calf to mid thigh and the joint would freeze or totally give out on a regular basis. It took me about a year to finally get referred for an MRI and longer for physio. It caused me ankle and also toe problems as I was over compensating.

It turned out to be caused by weak/unsupportive joint muscles as a result of previous trauma to the knee that hadn't been treated properly- is there maybe an accident or fall that you've forgotten about?

One thing that helped me was Cortisone injections into the joint. Is that something you could ask your GP about?

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 12:09

Great advice Slubber, thank you.

I do have some shock absorber trainers from back in the day when I used to run, so I'll dig them out. And yes, the baby is aaallllll his this weekend, I'm planning on lying on the sofa.

OP posts:
AnyoneforTurps · 10/01/2014 12:15

Regulations were only changed last summer, so the gp might not know.

Soursweets' GP is prescribing in line with the new guidance on codeine & breast-feeding, i.e. using codeine as a 3rd-line painkiller. However I agree with all those saying try paracetamol plus naproxen instead of the ibuprofen. If you are still in pain, it is OK to use codeine.

As all have said, do not go to A&E. You will probably see a doctor with far less experience than your GP (25% of all GP consultations are about musculoskeletal problems) and you will not get an MRI. A phone call to your GP to request some naproxen is far more likely to help.

Hope you feel better soon Smile.

3littlefrogs · 10/01/2014 12:17

If you are lying on the sofa, keep well hydrated and do some ankle exercises regularly to keep the blood moving out of your deep calf veins.

Pretend you are on a long haul flight and follow the appropriate regime!