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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:
2rebecca · 21/01/2015 12:32

No she needed adequate analgesia to mobilise which is what she is now getting. The ambulance team were right to state that this didn't need a trip to hospital and could be provided by primary care.

Nancy66 · 21/01/2015 12:32

that sounds more positive. Try and keep moving if you can. movement is the best thing for back pain.

it sounds like you've already improved a lot since yesterday and hopefully that will continue. Take the painkillers, take them regularly even if you feel like you don't need them and try and build up to taking a few steps in a day or two.

If any of the painkillers you are on are codeine based then be aware that constipation is a big side effect and straining for a poo is not something you want with a bad back! So get your DP to get some stool softners and laxatives to take in a couple of day's time if necessary.

ChestyTheSnowman · 21/01/2015 12:47

Glad you're up OP. What did GP give you?

GraysAnalogy · 21/01/2015 13:21

2rebecca do you work in this area then, since you seem to know better than I do.

Just because you're used to the bare minimum being done by the NHS due to lack of funding and resources does not mean what has been done is all the OP needs.

Treating the symptoms and not getting to the root of the problem is not helpful for long term health.

GraysAnalogy · 21/01/2015 13:23

What I always find interesting too is that if this was happening to a child or a teen there would be no question of taking to hospital. But in adults it's seen as par of the course and something that should just be dealt with. This doesn't have to be the case.

ChestyTheSnowman · 21/01/2015 14:13

I thought that Grays
Everyone has a medical degree, eh.

SauvignonBlanche · 21/01/2015 14:20

I hope you feel better soon, keep taking the tablets! Flowers

goodasitgets · 21/01/2015 14:27

To be fair when my back went I was taken to hospital after the gas and air. Left in a cubicle for 4hrs and discharged with no meds. So I got a taxi home and woke up the next day stuck in bed. Took an hour to get me up with me screaming in pain which is when I hobbled to the doctor and got meds. Doctor referred to physio who found the cause and I've had no problems since

Mrsstevejones · 21/01/2015 17:06

Glad you are off the floor. From my experience: Take your painkillers regularly. Def yes to stool softeners i didnt have them at first and i thought would pass out from the pain, having had babies i can honestly say it was worse!

I had emergency physio - there was a 3 month wait but i begged the woman who ran it and was lucky enough to get a cancellation. I had 6 sessions and that kept me upright.

My mum made me get up and walk around every hour, she also fed me hundreds of cups of tea so i had to go to the loo. After 8 weeks i was strong enough to go swimming although i could only do 6 lenghts, i mainly let the water support my weight and stretched my back leg muscles really well after - i am sure that made a huge difference. I couldnt sit up at all and spent 3 months lying down when not standing, i couldnt stand up straight either. Then loads more swimming by the end i could swim a mile - front crawl only.

I had a plug in hot pad which i lay on constantly, it helped the muscles not go into spasm. Then it was just a time thing.

I have a massive fear that it will come back again but its been 5 ish yrs and two pregnancies so fingers crossed. It was total misery and i wish you a speedy and easy recovery. The NHS cant really do anything - at least thats what every health prof told me. Yoga also helped.

Chchchchange · 21/01/2015 20:51

Also if you can afford it get to an osteopath and physio. Osteopaths are wonderful with backs, they can get all the muscles loosened off which helps a lot.

hanban89 · 21/01/2015 21:49

Please call an ambulance now if you haven't already. I think you have a genuine need for medical help from the ambulance crew and hospital. If you were a little old lady they would never leave you like that so why should it be any different for you.
I remember once watching a programme where a train worker was in agony and couldn't move off a seat and an ambulance was called and moved her with gas and air. Similar situation so please get some help as it's not a time wasting situation!

gamerchick · 21/01/2015 22:04

Glad to hear you're upright OP. If you're able my tried and tested thing when I put my back out is to get a hot bath run with a generous amount of radox muscle soak and quarter/half a tub of Epsom salts. Lie there for as long as you can and it eliminates all the muscle aches and tightness you get in a reaction to the pain. The actual injury will feel more glassy and you can pinpoint where it is in your back. Next morning you might feel a bit stiff but should be able to move more freely which helps with coping with the actual injury itself. Stay ahead of the pain with the painkillers instead of playing catch up.

It really sucks putting your back out and there's a chance if it happening again. Ask your doctor for help in building your back muscles up.

WillBeatJanuaryBlues · 21/01/2015 22:16

Bouncing you have sounded so nervous about calling from the start I wonder if you minimized your injury to them?

My dh does this and it scares me when I was having babies as I knew he couldnt fight for me if needed and he has a fear of seeming dramatic or ott which makes me go even more ott. Grin

I think your dp should have called with more urgency in his voice etc.

for instance getting your call being able to prioritse you - get someone out ( and by the way ambulances are not frantically busy all the time, as many crews who have attended us have told me....) is far better than your medical history kicking in ad the whole thing getting urgent, then having to have an urgent call out.

i hope you get the help you need but i also hope you get more demanding about the help you need!

londonrach · 21/01/2015 22:27

Shocked op. For those saying never heard of an ambulance being refused before. Back in the 90s my friend had fits (found at later linked to hormones). She had one every couple of days for about 5 mins. One day she had one on going for 6 hours ending at 12am!!!!! We called 999. They refused to come out as we were at uni and it was a hock call. We ended up waking up a teacher at the halls get them to get someone out. After returning from hospital she sleep for 24 hours!!!!

ExitPursuedByABear · 21/01/2015 22:30

My elderly father was once left for 3 days sleeping in a chair unable to walk. Turned out to be an infection dissolving his spine and he spent 13 weeks in hospital.

Hope you are safe and well op.

TSSDNCOP · 22/01/2015 09:44

How are you doing today Bouncing?

Original poster
bouncingbelle · 22/01/2015 18:07

Hi, I'm now stuck in my bed instead of stuck on the floor! Can make it to the toilet or stand up for a few minutes so things are every so slightly better......thanks for asking!

OP posts:
TSSDNCOP · 22/01/2015 18:40

Good for you. Do you feel the pain meds are kicking in?

Original poster
bouncingbelle · 22/01/2015 20:51

I thought they were, but it seems to have got worse again, just had crying fit to myself! After being out of work for a year, I have two interviews lined up next week and at this rate I'm never going to make it. And I know it's too much info, but I can't poo! Don't know if it's the tablets bunging me up or the pain itself.

How long do I let this go on for?? I know it's in,y been 3 days but it feels like forever.

OP posts:
Nancy66 · 22/01/2015 20:53

constipation will be due to the meds probably.

ExitPursuedByABear · 22/01/2015 21:06

Wht i the doctor doing? Or planning ?

elliegoulding · 22/01/2015 21:53

I've had a prolapsed disc followed by a few years of repeat episodes.... its fucking awful!! TENS machines and acupuncture where my saviours ..... good luck op, you will feel better soon, don't lose sight of that Thanks Thanks

Original poster
bouncingbelle · 23/01/2015 13:11

Off to the osteopath this afternoon. First time walking more than 2 mins and being out the house since Monday but needs must!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
bouncingbelle · 24/01/2015 01:02

I,ve dislocated a part of my pelvis at the very base of my spine. Goy accupuncture ? some manual manipulation and a belt thing to wear to support my pelvis. Still in pain but feeling better now I know it's not in my head! :)

OP posts:
NadiaWadia · 24/01/2015 04:25

Goodness you poor thing! And did you have to pay to see the osteopath? I think you should be putting in an official complaint about the lack of help you have received from the NHS, it's disgraceful.

Hope you are feeling better soon. At least you know what it is now!

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