To go to a&e...

[raspberryjo]

For my back, for 9 years I've struggled with back pain due to 3 perforated discs at the bottom of my back, they have occasional flare ups, but usually go down again, but the last 3 months it's been particularly painful up until the last 3 days where it's completely gone, the pain shoots down my left leg, my foot has pins and needles, and I can't sit, can't stand straight, can't lay comfortably, I'm just in agony. Doctors prescribed me tramadol but awaiting referral for another MRI. But don't physically see how I can go on like this, MIL had to come over and help me off the floor today because I couldn't get up, she suggested a&e but what could they do?

They can help with pain management. I wouldn’t hesitate to go if I were in your situation.

Go asap

Yes, I'd go if I were you. Good luck, I hope you get some relief very soon.

I agree that unbearable pain is a reasonable thing to visit A&E with. I’d be worried about how uncomfortable you’d be in the waiting room though. Maybe you should ring 111 first. I wonder if muscle relaxants would help maybe?

Yes I'd go a&e.

The only thing that helped my pain from prolapsed disc was gabapentin so can you ask for that? It works on nerve pain. Tramadol didn't help me at all. Is there an out of hours doctor you can see rather than A and E as would be less awful than waiting hours. Sending sympathy.

I would speak to 111 for OOH GP. if A&E know your waiting and MRI for ongoing symptoms they will refer you back to your GP.
GP should be chasing your MRI

Thanks all, I'm gonna head there now, 111 also advised a&e due to worsening symptoms. Tramadol has done nothing but willing to try anything at this point, it is totally unbearable

You'd be better off getting a GP appointment and trying diazepam to relieve the spasms.

If there's any 'saddle anaesthesia' numbness of your nethers or incontinence (signs of a condition called Cauda Equina) there's not a great deal ED can do for you other than some pain relief

Plus sitting for HOURS isn't going to benefit you much 😬

When my mum's back went really badly once (long term disabled as well) the paramedics were able to give her an injection into her back as a pain relief, so I'd imagine A+E can do something similar.
They do get a lot of chancers going in to try and score opioid pain relief though so you might be in for a long wait.

Ring 111
Ive almost identical problems(3 discs, annular tears, 2x touching l1 and s1 nerves, I called 111 last sept (right leg and foot were also lacking feeling) and encountered a suprise medical procedure. I wont spoil the suprise 😆 But they were of the opinion it was just sciatica.
Since then its also looking like Axial spondyoloarthiritus, after physio bounced me and Rheumatology have done some tests I was given an injection which has helped hugely but, i dont know how proactive your GP has been but im still waiting for my telephone consult with a neurosurgeon to decide what they are going to do.
Ring em, keep pushing and dont take no for an answer.
Good luck

@sunshineandtea that’s extraordinarily dangerous advice

Cauda equina is a clinical emergency and it’s EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to get help URGENTLY

VIA A&E

Information about cauda equina

https://patient.info/bones-joints-muscles/back-and-spine-pain/cauda-equina-syndrome

Pretty sure @sunshineandtea accidentally left out/deleted the bit saying to go to A&E with those symptoms, otherwise there's not much they can do.

An unfortunate typo!

@JenniferBarkley yes, sorry my point was that unless you have those symptoms there's not a lot they can do 😬

Sorry, there was a missed bit saying TJOSE symptoms need A&E 😬

I wouldn’t normally jump on someone like this - but can I please respectfully ask you to proof read your posts, if you are going to give medical advice?

Imagine if the OP read that and thought oh well no one will help if I go and never came back to the thread. Could have tragic consequences.

Everyone with medical knowledge giving advice on the internet needs to be damn sure that advice is good.

How are you doing today, OP?

Glad you decided to go OP. In my experience it can help to push treatment along for you too.

Hi all, was seen fairly quickly, given morphine which certainly took the edge off, tested for cauda equina had a bladder scan amongst other tests and he thinks it's the L4&L5 discs have gone. But he's fast tracking an MRI and sent me home with a prescription of morphine which has greatly relieved it! Definitely glad I went. Thanks all!

Very glad you got help.

That's good @raspberryjo , I hope some long term help will happen for you very soon.