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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask for CT or MRI

55 replies

LongTallPain · 10/09/2021 09:06

Try to keep short, but if you have any advice please let me know, I'm sort of desperate.

Tuesday woke up with very slight discomfort from sciatic nerve, but not even enough to take analgesia and I went to work. I'm a student Nurse but work as relief support worker around that. Did no heavy lifting and very little P/C. Tuesday night it was worse but still manageable.

Woke up Wednesday, in agony, couldn't walk properly,pins an needles in right foot. Had to call in sick for work (which means no pay). GP prescribed tramadol, first 4 tablets were fine, but then I started being sick. Wednesday night / Thursday morning pain getting worse and worse. Sick at 10.30.

Thursday morning, in worse pain, now can't weight bare on leg, can't get dressed, son had to help me out of shower, children helped me get dressed, couldn't walk them to school, they had to take themselves. Took no more tramadol, but sickness continues, around 24 times I was sick, just bringing up water I'd sipped. Can't walk, can't sit, excruciating to sit on toilet, peed myself a little. My brother is paramedic and he called me an ambulance, even though I asked him not. Ambulance arrive thinking I'd had a stroke because of communication mix up, I was so deeply embarrassed I downplayed everything. GP spoke to paramedics and said I just need to stop being sick so analgesia can work. Took antisickness, brought up first one, but managed to stop being sick after second.

I've been given amitriptilene, codeine, Diclofenic, diazapam, omeprazole and cyclizine.

I still can't drive, can get dressed without children, can't work, couldn't walk children to school again this morning, can't clean properly. I'm meant to be back at uni next week. I'm a single Mum in agony on a concoction of drugs making me feel dizzy and sleepy.

Should I ask to see GP in person, or ask for CT to find out what's going on. GP thinks acute sciatica. I'm a very active person, although I'm a size 14 since lockdown, but walk around 5/6miles a day. That's another thing, I can't walk the dog.

OP posts:
Original poster
LongTallPain · 10/09/2021 10:17

Spoke to GP she said I need to go to A&E. Seemed a bit annoyed at me. I feel like I'll go, waste time and it'll be sciatica. She said I need MRI.

Only problem is children at school until 12.30, and all my friends at work or don't drive and they all live in the last city whereas I'm I'm 20 minute drive from the city

OP posts:
DogFoodPie · 10/09/2021 10:27

I would call your family OP they might be able to help with the kids? If it were CES you would need an emergency operation and be in hospital a few days at least plus you will need some help once you get home.

Original poster
LongTallPain · 10/09/2021 11:06

I'm going to get a taxi there, that's the least bothersome.

Itll be okay won't it. I'm sure it's just sciatica attack

OP posts:
DogFoodPie · 10/09/2021 11:12

There's a good chance it could be "just" sciatica but we'll worth getting checked out and the doctors will think so too. Here's a link to a CES charity for information www.championscharity.org.uk/

sprinkleyumnut · 10/09/2021 11:19

Yes definitely A and E.

Froppysue · 10/09/2021 11:19

As someone who is permanently disabled from missed ces I’m glad you’re getting seen - an mri is imperative.

Hopefully it isn’t, sciatica can feel similar and the drugs could be causing your bladder issues but it’s important to get checked out.

Wishing you the best of luck Flowers

MouseInCatsClaws · 10/09/2021 12:35

you poor thing op, glad you are going to a and e and don't mind whether the doctor is annoyed or not, or whether you're causing a fuss, you need to mind your health and this is not something you can just cope with.
I hope you sorted someone to mind your kids and that you're not too stressed. Hopefully you will be right in no time and everything can go back to normal.
Best of luck, hope it goes well.

EnjoyingTheArmoire · 10/09/2021 12:54

I'm sorry to read this Op, sciatica is the worst.

Just as a forewarning, they may want to do a rectal exam (just finger to check your sphincter muscles) when assessing if it's Cauda Equina and if you need a scan.

When I took tramadol following an accident (that left me with scatica) I was constipated for the first week-10 days which was agnosing, and just didn't help matters.

I would strongly recommend asking for something to take such as laxido to try and prevent this from happening, and clear any constipation that you may be accruing.

When I finally went my mother (who had come to help care for me) got me a "new baby" balloon such was the big deal Blush

Other things to note, you can take paracetamol alonside Tramadol. As a previous poster said, medicines such as gabapentin or pregablin can work better for some on nerve pain such as sciatica so it may be worth trying those if your Dr agrees.

Heat can help, in my experience.

I hope that you get on okay at the hospital, and that they you don't have too long to wait, especially if sitting on unconfortable chairs.

Original poster
LongTallPain · 10/09/2021 13:41

GP did a house visit.

I've got loss of rectal tone and loss of reflexive in my legs. She going back to surgery to phone neuro. I've also got a temp and heart rate has been over 100 for two days, was 108 today.

She mentioned spinal sepsis. I'm so scared and anxious, I'm shaking.

Waiting to hear back from GP whether I go by ambulance or by car to hospital.

My son called his Dad, then he called me to tell me he won't be helping as he's got a wedding today, so that was nice.

OP posts:
DogFoodPie · 10/09/2021 14:12

I'm glad they are doing something to help now and hopefully they will soon work out what's wrong and give you some treatment. Flowers

Rainbowsew · 10/09/2021 14:20

Hope you get sorted op, another radiographer here concerned about cauda equina Sad

Your child's father doesn't get a choice about stepping up to look after his child if you are admitted, which sadly you probably will be Angry

KatieB55 · 10/09/2021 14:28

Sounds awful. Good luck OP. Hope you are better soon. Never worry about making a fuss!

LittleMissMe99 · 10/09/2021 14:35

I would go to a&e personally. I have awful sciatica and it's not as bad as what you are describing. I hope you've seen someone now as I see you posted this much earlier. If not, go to A&E

Mumski45 · 10/09/2021 14:36

I think you need to tell your ex that if you are admitted for cauda equina it will be out of your hands and the kids will have to go to him or they will be sent to social services. Is that what he wants? He doesn't get to opt out of being a parent just because he is the non resident parent. So angry on your behalf as it sounds like you have enough to deal with.

Eeiliethya · 10/09/2021 14:44

Don't worry OP, everything is going to be alright. You've done the right thing. Please let us know how you're getting on we're here for you Thanks

EnjoyingTheArmoire · 10/09/2021 17:09

It does sound scary, but they sound like they are doing all of the right things, and once you've seen a neurologist you should hopefully be closer to treatment.

I'm really sorry that your Ex was so useless. You need to try and be very firm and tell him that you are quite seriously unwell and he needs to take sole parental responsibility whilst you are being treated.

I'm sorry this is happening to you, and I hope things move quickly.

Glssr195726113493 · 10/09/2021 17:10

I would stop waiting for the GP and just get to to hospital, though I’m sure you have by now. Also, I beg you, please stop worrying about making a fuss. You need a fuss to be made. I really hope they are getting you sorted.

LadyJJ · 10/09/2021 17:23

I'm a physio.
Go to A&E. Get CE ruled out.
Yes I have seen sciatica from disc prolapse that is as painful as yours, just get CE riled out. It will get better.

Teaandcakeordeath83 · 10/09/2021 21:55

Hope you're ok OP. X

Lougle · 10/09/2021 22:03

I hope you get seen very quickly.

Original poster
LongTallPain · 11/09/2021 08:19

Thank you so much for the kind messages.

So, I'm home. Essentially, they don't know what is causing this.

I went to A&E, didn't see neurology. My CRP level is 135, anything above 5 suggests infection. I have a fever. They did MRI and chest Xray, which were normal. They don't know what's causing loss of rectal tone and reflexes. I am in less pain than I was, but my gait is still changed. My right leg is weaker than left. They said its probably something viral, and I'm probably constipated (which I have never been other than when I had children because I was scared to go!, I eat a good diet and drink lots of water). Before MRI results were back I heard the doctors and nurses handover and they said spinal absess and admission. But the MRI was normal.

So, if no improvement by next week I'm to ask GP for outpatient neurology appointment. And I'm to take movical for constipation.

OP posts:
CounsellorTroi · 11/09/2021 08:25

I’m glad you’re home OP and that they seem to have ruled out cauda equina. Hope you’re ok.

crumblebug · 11/09/2021 12:55

Poor you

Hope you are feeling better very soon

Don't be afraid to go back if you deteriorate (fever doesn't resolve or worsens, neurological deterioration etc)

DogFoodPie · 11/09/2021 14:49

Glad you are home and it's not CES but I really hope they find out what it is soon and get it treated!

Mischance · 11/09/2021 15:19

Well that's one thing ruled out - but still a mystery and a trial for you. I hope you get a diagnosis soon and that it resolves in time.