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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want the dr to do more

246 replies

bouncingbelle · 20/01/2015 19:39

I've been lying on my living room floor for 20 hours since bending down to pick up my phone and doing something to my back. I literally can't move-can't roll over, sit up, anything. Called gp and they have given me painkillers but they aren't touching the pain and I still can't move.

AIBU to want someone to do SOMETHING? How long am I expected to lie like this??!! (Self-pity alert!)

OP posts:
GraysAnalogy · 21/01/2015 10:53

Oxy. Oxy will be your friend.

Original poster
bouncingbelle · 21/01/2015 10:54

I was meant to start Ivf yesterday. If I could have crawled to the hospital,I would have!

I'm back on the floor - attempt to move just caused more pain, dizziness and vomiting.

Will let you know the result, thanks for keeping me going, it's been a v long 35 hours.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 21/01/2015 10:55

She's already moved which means she can. She isn't paralysed, hasn't had a nasty accident and ill bet getting up and moving despite the pain will help. The people who've assessed her will know that.

I know I sound unsympathetic.. dealing with my back I know what it's like and I apologise for that.

Putting your back out bending over to pick something up is not hospital worthy other than a bit of physio to get you mobile again.

TSSDNCOP · 21/01/2015 10:57

I read that part earlier OP. I'd have killed anyone that stood between me and my IVF, so I can measure your incapacity on that alone.

Stay on the floor. Let the GP see the state you're in. No point trying to earn medals for a stiff upper lip if it doesn't sort the problem.

Keep posting.

ohdearitshappeningtome · 21/01/2015 10:57

Good luck

gamerchick · 21/01/2015 10:58

You're dizzy and vomiting because you've been in one position for a long time and had hardcore meds on an empty stomach. I know it's scary experiencing intense pain if you're not used to it but you can do this.

spiderlight · 21/01/2015 10:59

Hope he sees sense and gets straight oin the phone for an ambulance for you.

shouldnthavesaid · 21/01/2015 10:59

Gamer she can get painkillers, and proper assessment.

Spinal disc ruptures carry a risk of serious nerve compression which can lead to long term complications. The OP needs an MRI scan urgently to assess the degree of compression, and to see therefore whether she requires surgical care or pain management and physiotherapy.

Either way, she cannot be left at all in this state.

I agree about the spinal board but in all honesty, if that's not going to happen - if an ambulance or GP isn't forthcoming - she just needs to get herself to hospital.

GraysAnalogy · 21/01/2015 11:01

gamer im quite sure if she would have been able to move initially she wouldn't have been lied on the floor pissing in a pot.

It is not as simple as you're making out, pushing through the pain. She has not been properly assessed. She is on strong drugs. If she were to try to stand after all these hours and fell either through the pain, through a change in blood pressure, or something to do with medication then it would be much much worse.

sparechange · 21/01/2015 11:07

shouldnthavesaid,
Sadly unless it is a Cauda Equina (which it isn't, given where her pain is and that she has full bladder control), the hospital just won't see it as anything more serious than requiring drugs, time and physio
At best, she'll get an epidural steriod injection...

Gileswithachainsaw · 21/01/2015 11:19

Well the initial assessment by the NP was either wrong or the wrong meds were given or she needs an alternative as they barest working.

She needs to see someone and preferably not someone like the gp who's willing to leave her lying on a floor for two days while waiting to see of the next lot of meds are the right ones.

at least a hospital means she can sleep in a bed regardless of what they can or cant do.

And the meds will at least work before she gets sent home

ChestyTheSnowman · 21/01/2015 11:22

Tell the GP exactly how bad it is, no minimising.

Hope you get some kick ass drugs to make you comfortable.

It is totally unacceptable to leave someone on the floor for that long, peeing in a pot Angry

306235388 · 21/01/2015 11:40

You have my deepest sympathies - this happened to me a couple of years ago.

BeggingYourPardon · 21/01/2015 11:41

bouncing has the GP been?

lemisscared · 21/01/2015 11:45

I really hope that you get some respite today :( my mum has a broken back due to osteoporosis, she is treatment resistant stubborn but is actually not a lot they can do for it. I cannot believe they have left you for so long and yes, pain that wont respond to pain medication IS hospital worthy, in fact, in a conversation with 111 about a visit to A&E, they said that is one of the parameters they use. So YES go to hospital, its what you pay your NI for

GokTwo · 21/01/2015 12:05

Thank goodness. How can he possibly not get you to hospital? You can't stay on the floor!! Hugs to you op, you're having a really tough time of it.

GokTwo · 21/01/2015 12:07

Yes, make it very clear how I'll you are. Don't do what my mil does and minimise it by laughing and joking.

FannyFifer · 21/01/2015 12:14

This is awful, previous stroke, currently numbness, vomiting when moving, this absolutely constitutes an ambulance, why the fuck is your partner not doing something?

I hope you get proper treatment very soon.

ChickyEgg · 21/01/2015 12:18

I hope you get proper treatment soon. I am astounded that despite being stuck on the floor for over 24hours you were refused an ambulance!

Chchchchange · 21/01/2015 12:20

The NHS are useless with backs, but this is really ridiculous. They need to get you to hospital. I hope there is someone with you getting you the help you need now.

2rebecca · 21/01/2015 12:21

I'm not sure what difference people are expecting going to hospital to make. They now only admit people with the symptoms Spare change discussed. I think a steroid epidural is unlikely to be given by most A&E departments though. She hasn't fallen and fractured her spine. She probably has a disc problem but they are treated with medication and mobilisation initially. If an ambulance had taken her to A&E she'd have hung around for a few hours been given a different analgesic and had to make her own way home. Back pain doesn't need a hospital it needs adequate analgesia and to try moving a bit.
The days of bed rest and traction are long gone.

Original poster
bouncingbelle · 21/01/2015 12:24

Thanks all, I'm still at home but I'm upright! (Well, sitting on the couch in agony but still sitting upright - I even stood up earlier!).

GP says bowel/bladder function ok, reflexes ok so he doesn't think it's a slipped disc. Still not 100% sure what it actually is.

He gave me another injection and then waited till him and dp could get me up. He says movement is good for it, which I did know but wasn't capable of over the past 2 days.

Am so glad to be off the floor I'm trying to ignore the fact that sitting up is agony. Just having a sandwich to line my stomach before more painkillers. Thank you all so so much. Dp is taking rest of week off work to maje sure there's someone with me.

OP posts:
GraysAnalogy · 21/01/2015 12:28

I would say you need to realise that all A&E's are different. In the hospital I work at this would be treated and investigations would be made to find out what has gone on. She would get referals to whichever teams she needs, even if it's just pain management.

What would you like her to do? Lie on the floor again for the next couple of days? Until she gets a blood clot and it's deemed serious enough in your eyes?

Original poster
bouncingbelle · 21/01/2015 12:31

I,ve had amazing experiences with the NHs over the years but this time I really feel I skipped through the cracks of the system., what if I,d been elderly or vulnerable or unable to keep phoning??

OP posts:
GraysAnalogy · 21/01/2015 12:31

Glad you have been helped OP. I'm still not 100% happy with your outcome but I'm glad you are upright.