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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to ask for even more medical help?

19 replies

Namechanged36 · 28/12/2017 03:46

I posted about my back a few days before Christmas.
Recap - agony, have not done anything to it afaik, couldn't get GP appt but had phone appt. co-codamol + diazepam prescribed.

Since then it's getting more painful everyday. Christmas Eve had OOH appt. He prescribed gel.

Yesterday had appt at my own surgery. This was the first time a doctor had looked at / touched my back. Did urinalysis which was normal.
Gave me some exercises & a reduced prescription for diazepam- from 5 x 2mg a day to 2 x 2mg per day.

I am still in agony and genuinely believe it's getting worse. (This is 11th day , 9th day with meds)

Tonight I had to crawl to the bathroom but did not make it in time. Very upsetting, embarrassing (although no one else here).

What do I do? Is this normal? Never really had anything like this so I don't know.

OP posts:
GetOutOfMYGarden · 28/12/2017 03:48

If you've lost control of your bowels at this point and you have back pain you need to go to A&E.

Original poster
Namechanged36 · 28/12/2017 03:51

It wasn't bowels. I needed a wee and couldn't get to the bathroom & remove pyjamas in time.

OP posts:
BulletFox · 28/12/2017 03:51

Definitely NBU.

Seek medical help and sorry, you must be in quite a lot of pain

Original poster
Namechanged36 · 28/12/2017 03:54

Thanks Bullet I just got the impression from the GP that Id had my lot and just had to wait until it improves. It scares me that it seems to be getting worse.

OP posts:
Fatso1978 · 28/12/2017 03:58

If you are losing control of your bladder/and or bowels and have such back pain you need to go to A&E.

Loss of bladder/bowel control with that back pain can be a prolapse disc. You Don't mess with such a thing as you can end up permanently damaged.

I had this. It isn't fun. You need to get some proper help.

Anonymum123 · 28/12/2017 04:06

If you have any of- loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the anus, numbness or weakness of the legs, new sexual dysfunction... you must go to a&e now. This could be indicative of a serious condition called cauda equina syndrome.

Otherwise, it’s not unreasonable to go to a&e at all- if you really can’t cope at home then you need to. But be mentally prepared that they may not be able to do anything for your pain, and you already have diazepam which is usually the most effective for such pain. Also, lower back pain that is not cauda equina syndrome is not investigated in a&e as scans do not affect management- they will just prescribe pain killers anyway regardless of the cause, and so a scan isn’t seen as cost effective IYSWIM.

(Just wanted you to be prepared. As a an ex A&E worker I saw many similar cases and unfortunately if it is not a query cauda equina syndrome then the management is often to discharge with medication (and you have already had most options) or to admit as ‘social admission’ until pain under control/help at home arranged).

I really hope that you feel better soon x

Original poster
Namechanged36 · 28/12/2017 04:17

Thanks anonymum I really appreciate the realistic reply.
I don't think I could say I've lost control of my bladder- it was getting my pyjamas off while in agony which caused the incident Blush
I will wait and carry on with meds
/ exercises.

OP posts:
brizzledrizzle · 28/12/2017 04:26

Get well soon OP

Bowerbird5 · 28/12/2017 04:34

Have you considered seeing an osteopath? I use one for this type of back pain. You need to make sure they are fully trained to degree level. You can find them on the Internet and sometimes they will make home visits. It will cost about £45 for a first visit ans slightly less for following appointments. Sometimes three or four will be enough to put it right. Sorry you are in such pain I have been there several times it is awful. Can someone buy you some Deep Freeze? Initially it is awful but the alternating of warm and cold will help. I hope you get better soon. I have always used an osteopath at this stage. It always works.

Bowerbird5 · 28/12/2017 04:44

Registered with General Ostepathic Council. If you go to them you can type in your address to find the nearest to you.

TeeBee · 28/12/2017 07:43

Don't bother seeing a GP with back pain, you're wasting your time. Mine once told me I had premature arthritis. I went to an osteopath and he laughed, and fixed the twisted sacrum that I actually had in 20 minutes.
Go and see someone who knows about backs!

steamboatwilly123 · 28/12/2017 07:56

I would definitely go get more help. I was diagnosed with sciatica after an injury at work I March. Was fobbed off by every doctor I saw and had various pills thrown at me and told not to worry it was "just sciatica". I was told to "keep active" which in itself was a joke as I literally could not get out of bed and live my life normally. Had one day of horrendous, constant pain and woke up the next day with all the pain gone, bit numbness on my lower leg.......long story short, was referred for an MRI (8 months after the diagnosis of sciatica) and I have a herniated L5 disc that is now pinching my spinal cord (hence the leg numbness). Now facing surgery and a 3 month recovery. I'm convinced if it was picked up earlier it wouldn't be this bad now and I aggrevated it by trying to keep active. The ironic thing is now I have no pain at all since the disc moved.
If I knew then what I know now I would have rocked up to A and E and not left. I'm sure you'll be fine, but you can't be too careful with your back.

Original poster
Namechanged36 · 28/12/2017 15:23

Thank you everyone.
An update... I got beside myself with pain this morning and went to A&E.
Saw the loveliest ❤️ Dr who talked to me for ages and gave me thorough examination.
He is almost certain it is prolapsed disc. He was a bit surprised that GP had given me exercises & told me not to do them.
Have stronger pain killers & advice & told to go back if anything changes but otherwise see GP next week.

Thank you all. Having people take it seriously makes such a difference.

OP posts:
trinity0097 · 28/12/2017 16:04

I would go to a chiropractor or osteopath immediately. I was told prolapsed disc,which wasn’t anything of the sort, just a seized back! I also was dragged up in diazepam and codine and couldn’t move at all.

Rossigigi · 28/12/2017 16:06

Is the pain just in your back, or also running down your legs?

JaneEyre70 · 28/12/2017 16:09

I would second going to an osteopath. I've got problems with degenerative discs, and found painkillers/rest just made it a million times worse. We've got a fab local osteopath who has magic hands - two or three sessions is enough to sort it out, and gentle moving/exercise really helps too. Whatever you do, don't stay still. Initially the pain makes it hard but you will get past that and it will improve much quicker. It's such a horrid nagging pain.

Roystonv · 28/12/2017 16:22

Long similar back history here won't go into but I was referred for physio and she would not touch me until I had seen the specialist (by the time I was meant to see physio the specialist was meant to have seen me but gp cocked up). I would just be wary unless you have been 'cleared' for physio/osteopath.

MeadowHay · 28/12/2017 16:29

Yeah I deffo wouldn't be running off to see an osteopath if the hospital doctor told you to rest it and not to do exercises, that could cause more harm. Speak to your GP when you see them about the possibility of physio but I wouldn't do anything like that before getting their advice.

lljkk · 28/12/2017 17:07

I hope this is right diagnosis & treatment will soon be very effective. Thanks for update.

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