to go to A&E for Sciatica?

[doyouseeme1]

I'm one of those people who don't like making a fuss, I hate going to the gp or health services as I always feel like theres someone worse than me.
I hurt my back a few months ago at work, a few days later I got sciatica. It wasn't bad and I was managing well with exercising and pain killers. Two weeks ago it started to get worse and really intense, I ended up going to the gp and he gave me stronger tablets and advised to keep moving which I had. Yesterday the pain got horrendous, I cant stand up, walk or put my foot down. I've had to get my dp to help me to the toilet and I've cried 5 times in the last 15 hours when I'm never one to cry, especially in front of others. I can't keep active as I feel my leg just isn't working properly and the pain is too much, I'm sobbing with every step.
I know it's not an accident or emergency but I can't move without being in agony

doyou apparently a medication i use for my anxiety can't be taken with one of them, so he doesn't want to prescribe it until he's sure i need it and have discussed with my regular GP about the propranolol.

i agreed to just bumble through for a few more months until we'd got the MRI scan back and could set a plan out.

Ah, gabapentin, yes, that's what I take now, as 2 years of naproxen was not doing my internal organs any favours. I was tried on amatryptaline, but I had dangerous side effects - read the leaflet carefully.
The consultant bone man bloke (forgot the proper word) said that as long as I am not incontinent, then they won't operate, which means I'm not only in permanent pain, but always careful of what I do, so I don't make it worse. As an older, not working woman, and also with ME, I'm at the bottom of the pile for being taken care of - younger people get fixed.

You should see a chiro, I know it is terrifying to you, the idea of them making it worse, but they really REALLY helped me when I was at my worst. The way I see it, you've got nothing to lose

I've got sciatica which is caused by another spine condition. My rheumatologist explained that when a disc has a prolapse liquid from the disc leaks out into the surrounding area which is what causes the intense pain, nerve irritation and the general feeling of being unwell. It takes 6-8 weeks for the inflammation to improve while the leaked disc fluid is absorbed back into the body and the surrounding nerves start to heal.

This is why you are being told to wait to see if your condition improves and why physio or any manipulation treatment can't start until you begin to heal up.

My advice is to rest as much as you can, take whatever pain relief you are prescribed, use alternate hot and cold packs (if it helps)and to move around slowly when you feel able to. You have my sympathies, op x

I've had amitriptyline before on a higher dose so I'm fine with that but I always read the leaflets too, I just can't have tramadol which I wouldn't want to take anyways.
cranky I can't believe you kicked him in the face, i bet he wasn't expecting that haha

annie oh that sounds awful for you. It's horrible to feel like people won't help or do anything for you, we're all humans and no matter what age we shouldn't have to live life in so much pain.

lilets ah I guess that makes sense about why there is a wait, my physio said she doesn't think I've got any disc problems but didn't explain what's irritating my nerve. I hurt my back badly before the sciatica started but its been okay most of the time since. My tablets are starting to kick in and make a little difference so ive been shuffling around a little to try stay active.

Hehe he was a little stunned, as was I because I screamed as well. It was completely involuntary, I had no idea that was going to happen.

I've seen that Dr a couple of times since and he's not touched my spine.

I'm glad to hear the tablets are kicking in. Just don't overdo it.

Hey@doyouseeme1 I know it’s been many many many years and I’m wondering if you will actually still see this?
how are you? I’m hoping you’re much better now? I found your post whilst searching the web for help whilst crippled in pain. I just need the hope of ‘it will get better one day’

Hey @amyh2012 I'm still lurking on mumsnet! I'm not sure whether I can provide much reassurance as I ended up having surgery to solve the problem in 2017. It turns out my disc had herniated and due to previous issues there was also scar tissue which was pressing on my sciatic nerve so i had a microdiscectomy and the relief was instant. I've had a couple of niggles here and there but it was a life changer and I've been back to normal since.
I hope you manage to get relief soon. Have you had any types of scans or seen physios etc?