AIBU to go to A&E?

[katelily2017]

Hi all,

Would like opinions please? I'm under gp's treatment for suspected herniated disc. Have had terrible sciatica since January. Was being referred for scan but all been stopped obviously due to covid.

A week ago I turned in bed and heard a huge crack, since then I've had excruciating sciatica. It's a constant sharp pain down my leg which is driving me to tears. I'm sleeping for half an hour max before being woken in pain and then taking another 1-1.5 hours to get back to sleep. I'm on strong painkillers and anti inflammatories. I'm allergic to the nerve blockers gp has advised nothing else will help. I'm unable to walk, I'm currently furloughed and looking after my two DD's both under 3 whilst DH wfh, I'm unable to lift DD's. I feel at my wits end, I'm in so much pain, it's making me depressed. I can't stop crying.

Do you think AIBU to go to A&E has anyone got any advice?

Go to hospital ffs

Yes you should go

Go now I certainly would or maybe a walk in centre?

Only other option would be a walk in centre.

My mum has just narrowly avoided surgery for this. The only thing that worked for her to even dull the pain were Butrans ( no idea on spelling) pain patches that the hospital prescribed.

My understanding is if you lose the use of your legs and/or bladder and bowels you need to be admitted. Ring 111 or out of hours if you prefer otherwise get yourself to a&e. Someone else may know more than me though. I hope you get it sorted however that may be, I had it in pregnancy (albeit a lot milder) and I was miserable.

You should go. I was twisting round and heard a loud crack the other week. Turns out I've torn a large ligament at the back of my pelvis. Plus the X-ray found I have osteoarthritis in my left hip so I'm getting treatment for that.

Definitely go. Most hospitals are quiet

Thanks everyone was expecting a resounding YABU so thanks a lot! Will go first thing tomorrow

Go, good heavens, nerve pain like sciatica as a result of an injury may well turn out of be nerve damage.

My mom had a similar turn/stretch injury having popped something during a very normal movement (getting a mug down from the cupboard), saw her GP a couple of days later with constant tingling down her leg and ended up having to go to hospital that afternoon and have spinal surgery in the morning. This might not be anything like your situation, but I wouldn't ever take a new nerve pain lightly.

Aw OP that sounds really painful Go. I hope you feel better soon!

That sounds awful OP. Hope you get some relief soon. What did the GP say when you told them you were allergic to nerve blockers?

You need to go,OP. You may think it is sciatica, but in that much pain and as a PP said, any loss of bladder or bowel feeling is a sign that you require urgent medical attention.

Why wait,go now.You could unwittingly be causing more damage if you leave it.

AandE by me is quieter than normal,they are asking people to attend on their Facebook page.

Everything is in place re infection control.

From experience, if it’s ‘just’ sciatic pain, they won’t do anything at A&E. It’s usually a case of continuing with the painkillers, physio, and exercise.

PPs are absolutely correct, though, in that if you lose feeling in your genitals, or your bladder/bowel become affected, it’s A&E urgently, as it could be cauda equina. Do not pass go, do not collect £200. I waited about 8 hours (finished work, went home, etc) and ended up in an ambulance from my local A&E to the nearest neurosurgical unit, around 3am.

I’ve had 4 spinal surgeries now (3 micro discectomies & 1 spinal fusion), and believe me, you do not want surgery if you can avoid it at all. I have been left with constant, chronic sciatic pain, some bladder dysfunction and numbness in my foot, leg and bum. ... but my spine is more stable. The surgeons really don’t want to operate either - but they may offer you a nerve root blocker injection, which is often a first try to settle things down. They do sometimes work quite well (had a few of them too.)

I’m just trying to advise you of what may, or may not, happen, should you go to A&E. I wouldn’t necessarily hold your breath for any sudden treatment, but you could strike it lucky. good luck. It’s grim.

To be honest I don’t know what a&e can do. I was suffering with sciatic pain for months gradually getting worse when one night it became unbearable and took me 2 hours to get off the floor (the comfiest place to lie.) I called nhs 24 and got an appointment at a&e that was a total waste of time. The following morning I could not get out of bed - a phone call to the drs and I was prescribed morphine (luckily my husband was at hold to collect) only after that kicked in could I move.

I had a drs appointment the following day and as soon as he saw me walking to his room he told me I’d slipped a disc, urgent mri referral then microdisectomy within a month.

@Laaalaaaa The OP may not have the same injury as you so A&E may help her.

@NerrSnerr I’m giving my experience of a herniated disc - I’m not telling her to follow my advice. She asked for advice so as someone who had a very serious occurrence that’s what I’m doing.

A&E shoved morphine down me, and then scanned me urgently when I had similar. I couldn't cope with the pain and then lost all feeling. Went to a&e and said I have cauda equina, they operated shortly after the scan (which was MRI number 3)
Go