to go to A&E?

[Greensleeves]

typing this onehanded so no capitals

i hurt my back before christmas, trapped nerve and trn muscle the gp thought, she gave me codeine which didn't touch the pain but it did get better after about a week of rest

ive re-injured it this morning, it's much worse than the first time, in spasm and i can't breathe in properly it hurts so much

iwbu to go to a and e wouldn't i

can't walk to gp and they will only give me more codeine anyway

ouch

If it's in spasm then the gp should prescribe you a muscle relaxant such as diazepam. Honestly try the gp first.

I had a trapped nerve in my neck a few years back, my god, most painful thing ever (and I've had 2 kids!) I would go to A&E yeah, I went to my Doctor who referred me there and they gave me proper pain killers etc

im in pyjamas and i cant move my arm properly, feel like crying at the thought of getting ready and going out

feeling very sorry for myself!

When my husband was like this, I got a telephone appt and they prescribed co codamol and tramadol (I think) over the phone. The prescription was ready within the hour. Worth calling the surgery to see?

Ring 111. From there, they might be able to get an urgent GP appointment.

DH's back regularly goes into spasm after an initial injury years ago. It's horrifically painful and he can't walk/move. I take him to the GP and they prescribe diazepam and very strong codeine. Never used A&E for it.

I would get an urgent appt at the GP, not A&E.

Agree with PPs. Call GP for phone consultation or appointment. Say is urgent. I wouldn't go to A & E. You'll be up there hours for waiting for consultation and meds the GP can perform via phone in your own home.

Ring your GP and talk to them. You need an anti-spasmodic as has already been said. When this happened to my SiL the GP came to the house to examine her (she couldn't get off the floor) and the pharmacy arranged delivery to her house - two things we never knew were possible.

calledd gp, someone will ring me back later this afternoon

it's going to be hours before i get any oain relief

aaargh

It would be hours before you got any pain relief at A&E to be fair....

It’s Wednesday morning so GP would definitely be first port of call.

I have been to a&e in this situation, they can give you gas and air to get you up onto the bed and morphine for the pain.
If your gp can get to you that's great but I don't think a lot of people realise how immobilising a back injury like that is.
Also I was taken straight through and didn't need to wait in the waiting room.

Also

Oh god, yes OP go to a&e. They are the emergency department and this is and emergency for you.

Backs in spasm are awful.

Maybe in a good week. Our A&E is currently scoured out with flu cases and we're back to patients in beds in corridors. OP if you are thinking of A&E I'd at least ring them and see what the situation is.

I'm sorry you're in so much pain but it doesn't constitute an emergency, as in it's not life threatening and you're already under treatment for it. Please don't go to A&E.

I'm reminded of a BBC article I saw earlier where a woman had to have a gynaecological examination in front of other patients because there were no private areas available for her to go to as the hospital had run out of beds.

And to be more helpful, 111 is the next step after GP

If you go to A&E you could be sat there 10+ hours or more, on a hard chair. If you know it's a spasm, stay at home!

Hopefully the GP will prescribe over the phone (ours phone patients at lunch time ish) and your pharmacy will deliver to you, mine does anyway in this situation.

because I know what you are going through. Sorry I can't offer any suggestion except medication!

Definitely ring 111 if you get no where with your GP. I wouldn't be taking up A&E space with a non-emergency condition at this point, or risking flu exposure or frankly wanting to sit around for hours waiting to be seen. 111 can at least get you an urgent appt with someone other than your GP if needed.

Beyond that, once you are able to manage to, I would seriously look into seeing an osteopath. I had some nerve problems due to a back injury and the osteopath has been amazing. I feel like a new person. I'm even 35 weeks pregnant and have had almost no issues this pregnancy. It was much more effective than physio or painkillers.

PinkyBlunder its Thursday today not Wednesday....

Are you able to take ibuprofen? If you can and you don't have anything else in your system, take 3 or 4 ibuprofen regular strength 200mg ones along with 2 paracetamol normal strength without caffeine. Perfectly safe dose as long as you eat with it but the same as you usually get on prescription. It'll take the edge off for a bit. Wait 8 hours after before you take anything else though. That's what I have to take 3 times a day when my dodgy disc plays up.

Any chance of getting into a warm bath? Don't do it if you are alone in case you can't get out.

Electric blanket?

It will likely take hours at A&E. If you're going to wait around hours, you'll be less uncomfortable waiting round at home.

I’ve lost a whole day?!?! This is impressive since I’m not drinking thanks for the heads up snowsky!