To go to hospital for this?

[Micemice]

I suffer from a back issues- herniated discs and had an MRI and am looking at possible surgery in the future.
I was doing so well pain wise until a flair up this week after a very minor car accident - now I am in absolute agony . I mean want to vomit it is so painful, can’t move, lie , sit stand etc I contacted my GP this morning who just issued more cocodamol.
Tonight I feel unable to tolerate the pain, I mentioned to a family member I might go to the hospital and they said this was absolutely not a reason to go to A and E, that I wouldn’t be seen and was wasting their time considering I know what the issue is and also how stretched staff are. Out of hours has several hours call back and the last time I contacted them months ago they told me to take the meds I have. So my question is would I be unreasonable to go to a and e for some additional pain relief? If that’s even an option . . Or is that unreasonable and I should just suck up the pain and it hopefully eventually eases? I don’t want to waste resources but equally feel the levels of pain is beyond “normal”.
thanks

You’ve been in a car accident and are now in pain that pain meds won’t touch and now you have a numb limb! I absolutely think that’s absolutely an a&e job personally.
Hope you get seen and some relief soon @Micemice

Of course it’s a reason to go. Hope it doesn’t take long to be seen. I’ve been to A&E many times, all pretty serious, rupturing appendix, 4 x acute pancreatitis. When I’ve been waiting (not long as I’m usually in a bad way by the time I give in and go) I’m always surprised the things people go with. And wonder why I’ve sat at home for days suffering so badly. So go, they will help

Time your a and e visit and it'll be fine. I had to go with my DC recently, it was a limb break, we were at first unsure whether to take them but I decided to, and timed it so we went at 5am, before the rush of people in the morning and after the drunks have cleared out. We were in and out in 10 mins and the nurses and doctors were amazing.

morning OP - How are you feeling?
I assume the co-codamol you are taking is the strongest....?? 500/30 strength? If not that might be an option to get hold of GP and see if you can get some stronger pain relief..??

@parababe yes max of that dose. I’m getting ready waiting on childcare now.

I'm @Toomuchtoolong name change fail?

I know this is slightly outside of the thread but have you got a really good physio OP? I had issues with herniated discs some years ago to the point where surgery was on the cards (I had nerve damage and foot drop), found an amazing private physio who basically sorted me out. If you have any possible way of seeing a physio beyond waiting on the nhs list I’d recommend it after you’ve got this episode of pain / injury under control

@loopyb Has spoken everyone
Dont worry! @loopyb is a medical professional and knows everything.

👎🙈😱👎 !

@Potato28 I hope the next time you have a medical issue someone with the relevant qualifications is available for you

@loopyb Not you :)

Cocodamol (codeine) is a really unreliable medicine. I never prescribe it.

if you don’t have new weakness that isn’t caused by the pain itself, can wee and aren’t have difficulty with faecal continence you almost certainly don’t have a problem with your back that needs hospital attention acutely.

soft tissue injury and secondary spasm of the lower back is better treated with muscle relaxants like baclofen and heat patches or pain killers like ibuprofen taken at maximum dose.

if you need opioids I would use tramadol. Although none of them are long term. Solutions.

soft tissues injury can take up to 6 months to heal. Physiotherapy with good compliance would be of great benefit. Also being as fit as possible and at your optimum weight would be essential for maintaining existing back problems.

You've had an accident and you're in agony, so you go to Accident and Emergency. Ignore the silly person who said otherwise.

Ugh. Zombie thread. 🤷🏻‍♀️🙄