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Original poster

back pain again

29 replies

gallifrey · 11/05/2013 13:03

I am now on tramadol and paracetamol every 4 hours plus naproxen morning and night.
My back is still painful and I have tingling in my feet and burning in my right leg. The pain is mainly on the right of my back and now I can feel the muscles in the upper part of my back is in spasm and it hurts to breathe in.
I looked on NHS direct yesterday and it said to call an ambulance!!
But tbh when this happened last time and I was incontinent they didn't do a bloody thing and I was in hospital for 3 weeks. I can't do that again there is nobody to look after my 2 girls and dh is being unhelpful as usual and wittering on about how much he is away next week. I don't know what to do :(

OP posts:
CaptainSweatPants · 11/05/2013 13:05

is it a trapped disc?
have you had a scan/ xray?

Original poster
gallifrey · 11/05/2013 13:06

I have 2 herniated discs at l5 and s1 the last mri I had was 3 years ago so I don't know what is going on now. I hurt my back on monday again.

OP posts:
CaptainSweatPants · 11/05/2013 13:07

sounds like you need another mri Sad
back pain that makes you incontinent isn't something to leave
can you go to the gp on Monday?

Original poster
gallifrey · 11/05/2013 13:21

I can ring the doctor and they can fit me in as an emergency on monday I expect if I explain to them.

OP posts:
buildingmycorestrength · 11/05/2013 17:41

Gallifrey maybe you should take DH at his word and say you have to go to hospital tonight since he is away next week.

Really, tingling in both feet is quite serious, I believe...? Always one of the first things they ask me but mine is only ever one sided

Original poster
gallifrey · 12/05/2013 11:10

I am now having problems with having a wee, I can't go unless I have a very full bladder and then I'm sitting on the toilet not able to go Sad

I know this is a really serious symptom but after last time I really don't want to go to hospital. I have a chiropractor appt on Tuesday I will mention it to him.

OP posts:
buildingmycorestrength · 12/05/2013 11:57

gallifrey the reason this is a serious symptom is because the nerves can suffer irreparable damage if it isn't dealt with immediately.

Cauda equina syndrome is a surgical emergency. It requires immediate attention which may preserve function. Google it. Then call an ambulance, seriously.

Original poster
gallifrey · 12/05/2013 12:10

That is what I was suspected of having 3 years ago, they didn't operate or do anything then, just kept me in hospital for 3 weeks! I can't go through that again it was horrendous :(

OP posts:
buildingmycorestrength · 12/05/2013 12:20

Up to you, of course.

YNK · 12/05/2013 12:20

Yup, I suffered this off and on for a year after my back injury and then they gave me an MRI which showed 3 herniated discs.
I was told they could have operated a year earlier if they had done the MRI sooner, but now the situation is chronic so I just have to get on with it,
They will throw any amounts of Tramadol at me though!

buildingmycorestrength · 12/05/2013 12:23

So is leaving it as is an option? Will you manage without seeing someone? I understand you are frightened of repeating the last experience.

OneHandFlapping · 12/05/2013 12:28

There was a poster on here a year or two ago who had back pain, and couldn't go for a wee who ended up paralysed from the waist down.

Personally I'd get to A&E.

YNK · 12/05/2013 14:11

I wish I had gone to A&E instead of taking my GP's advice to rest!
Now my only option is to rest for the rest of my life!!!

OneHandFlapping · 12/05/2013 16:15

YNk, was I referring to you?

I'm so sorry fo what you went through - and presumably are still going through.

Original poster
gallifrey · 12/05/2013 16:32

OMG what happened then?

OP posts:
Queenofknickers · 12/05/2013 17:09

Please - hospital now! I am just recovering from operation on disks in my neck and if I'd left it there would have been permanent nerve damage - do not risk it - I'm pretty sure hospital will admit you - ask for neurosurgeon.

buildingmycorestrength · 12/05/2013 18:33

Gallifrey you do not need to rely the anecdote of one unfortunate person to make your decision. (Sorry, Y, I am not in way belittling you, I do hope you understand.)

There is a whole body of medical evidence saying GO TO A&E NOW. Please do not risk permanent damage.

YNK · 12/05/2013 18:41

Just to make things clear, I am agreeing with a visit to A&E for the OP. I wish I had!

buildingmycorestrength · 12/05/2013 18:44

I just meant although your story is important, YNK, it is not the deciding factor here. If you had not come back, gallifrey should make her decision based on the weight of medical opinion, not your brief post. Smile

YNK Did you have undiagnosed cauda equina then?

YNK · 12/05/2013 19:34

Obviously not, why the hostility?
I am saying that even if it is not cauda equinuina, the op could save herself from a life of pain. In my book that's worth a visit to A&E alone!

buildingmycorestrength · 12/05/2013 19:46

I'm so sorry, I have been trying to get back online to apologise. That came out all wrong. I'm not even remotely hostile towards you and I'm really really sorry since it obviously sounded that way. Blush I just used the wrong words. I am genuinely frightened for gallifrey.

I'm also very very sorry for your condition, it sounds like you have had a dreadful time. Thanks

YNK · 12/05/2013 19:55

No probs.

buildingmycorestrength · 12/05/2013 21:14

Thank you for accepting my apology. Sad

buildingmycorestrength · 14/05/2013 17:16

gallifrey really hope you are okay.

Original poster
gallifrey · 14/05/2013 21:56

hiya thank you, nothing much to report and yet again I feel fobbed off by the dr. Apparently it's only if you are incontinent they treat it as an emergency. I was incontinent last time (3 years ago) and they didn't do anything then anyway. I have been referred for another mri but who knows when that will be!
I obviously don't make enough of a fuss to be taken seriously.
Thank you for all your support everyone it's much appreciated Smile

OP posts:
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