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Original poster

Lower back pain and numb foot???

24 replies

SillyTilly123 · 02/09/2013 17:30

I've always had back pain, but the last few days its been pretty bad. Not done anything that i can think of (ie lifted something heavy) but i've also noticed that the outside of my right foot is numb (3 days now) I've read on t'internet that its probably related, but should i go to the docs or will it just go away on its own? I only bother the doctor if i really need to see him. I do need to go for my next pill prescription in the next month so could just do that early, but appointments are usually a weeks wait so if its gone by then i'd rather wait.

OP posts:

magso · 02/09/2013 17:57

I think numbness below the knee with back pain is a red flag to indicate the need for relatively urgent medical advice- so I think you should see the GP. Alternatively if you can afford it or have private medical cover perhaps a chiropractor or osteopath could help? I speak only as a fellow back sufferer so could be wrong! I personally got nowhere with my (previous) GP so see a chiropractor.

fatfingers · 02/09/2013 18:00

Sounds like pressure on the nerve in your back. I suffered a prolapsed disc which caused lower back pain and the disc pressed on my nerve, which caused me to lose the use of my left leg for a while. The outside of my leg is still numb even though it has healed now. I think you should see GP just to get it checked out.

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 02/09/2013 18:08

Thanks! I just took a chance and got an appointment for Wednesday morning, which i'm very surprised at! Hopefully he is more sympathetic than when i had back pain when i was younger (18yo) and said my back pain was wear and tear (at 18??!!) and to take paracetamol.

Can you get a back brace from the doc, or will i need to buy one? (short on money atm) but think it might help.

OP posts:

valiumredhead · 02/09/2013 18:09

Ask to be referred to a physio.

Vatta · 02/09/2013 18:16

If you need a back brace, your dr can prescribe one.

However it sounds more like a nerve has become trapped/compressed in your lower back, which can cause numbness in your foot. If so, physio is likely to be the best solution. Waiting lists for nhs physio can be long though.

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 02/09/2013 18:19

Is there anything I can do to relieve it myself? If left(till i can get physio) will it get worse?

OP posts:

valiumredhead · 02/09/2013 18:26

Alternate heat and ice packs for ten mins at a time?

Deep heat?

Lying on the floor with legs raised to ease the pressure?

You might not have to wait long for the physio, it's only a week's wait where I live.

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 04/09/2013 07:54

Well my back only hurt me on that day-its been fine since, however my foot is still numb. Seeing the doctor at 9 so will see what he says.

OP posts:

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 04/09/2013 11:13

"Come back if it gets worse" everytime I go about something they say this!

He did say it sounds like sciatica but 'im too young for that' I said I'd suffered with sciatica for years. I never went to docs about it because they cant really do anything for it.

OP posts:

valiumredhead · 04/09/2013 11:15

How can you be too young for sciatica?

LadyGoodman · 04/09/2013 11:17

I've had sciatica since I was 19 at 32 have it again at the moment it's a right pest

Delayingtactic · 04/09/2013 11:19

It may resolve with time but if you develop pain shooting down both legs, any weakness or numbness down the other leg, any problems passing water or have any bladder or bowel incontinence you must go to the doctors straight away (either same day emergency appt or A&E). There is an incredibly rare complication of a prolapsed disc which needs treating relatively quickly. Fwiw I would have arranged an MRI to see what your back looks like (orthopaedic doctor).

Out of interest how old are you? Rude question I know but I'm interested to hear how young is too young.

valiumredhead · 04/09/2013 11:27

There's lots that can be done for sciatica.

RaspberrySchnapps · 04/09/2013 12:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 04/09/2013 13:42

I'm 31 He did say he could give me anti-inflammatories but gaina i'm "too young" to be put on them for life (because they only work when taking them) He didn't even say to take paracetamols, just keep an eye on it.

I'm not actually in any pain now. My back only hurt for that one day (i do have a slight back problem but thats always been there and is managable) and my foot is not hurting it is just numb and slightly tingly. My sciatica only really bothers me now and then, usually in the colder weather.

I guess i'll just see how it goes. Thanks for all the help btw, I've no idea about things like this as i only go to the doctor if i HAVE to (only went this time because i needed a pill prescription) which is one of the reasons i never went for the sciatica (kinda wished i had now so it was on file-not sure the doctor believed me when i said i had it)

OP posts:

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 07/09/2013 16:39

I'm in agony today with my back I dont think my foot is any worse (but cant tell if its numb where there is dry skin) but its no better either. I took 2 paracetamols and 2 ibuprofen this morning and it did nothing. So just took the same again adding a codeine for good measures. I hate just sitting/lying here, it's so boring. On the plus side I can order a takeaway for tea cos I cant stand cooking for long

OP posts:

zipzap · 07/09/2013 18:21

Is there any way you could get to a&e or an on call doctor?

From the advice of people on here who seem to know what they are talking about, you have been fibbed off by your doctor and it's worth getting at least a physio who knows about backs to take a look at you to see if you are doing long term damage to yourself. It might be a way of getting a second opinion or at least some serious pain relief if neurofen and paracetamol aren't touching it, especially as it was bad, went away, came back - so sounds a legit reason to go down the a&e or out of hours route! (I'm like you, hate going to the doctor unless there's something badly wrong, but i think this would be enough to make me at least ring up the out of hours gp!)

Also - any chance of seeing a different doctor at your practice if you don't find this one very helpful?

Wereonourway · 07/09/2013 18:33

Sciatica is shit op, you have my sympathy.

I have it following awful forceps delivery with ds( he was back to back and got stuck too)

I did have a few sessions of physio and you can google the exercises but for me when it's painful it's just that, exercises don't help me much.

I also get the numbness and tingling and have found the only thing that gets me pain free is either solphadine or volterol, can't remember what they contain but worth checking out.

I'm a wuss with tablets and both of these have me woozy so only an option for me at night time.

Hope it improves soon

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 09/09/2013 13:12

Well phoned up for an emergency ap this morning and saw a different doctor who seemed a lot more sympathetic. He got me on the bed (oh-aye )and moved my leg in different ways to see if it hurt, but the thing is its not when i move in a particular way-its constant. So anyhow he's given me some co-codamol and the number for the physio who he said to ring in a few days if no better.

I took a co-codamol at 11 and the pain never went away, so just took another (at 1) and although the pain is still there, its less but my back feels really tight. Is this normal? At least I can do a bit tidying up now, the house is a bombsite.

OP posts:

valiumredhead · 09/09/2013 13:20

Ring the physio!

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 09/09/2013 13:24

Forgot to say, i also have to take a water sample down to rule out water infection/kidney problems.

OP posts:

valiumredhead · 09/09/2013 13:27

Your back is probably tight now because your leg has been manipulated by the doctor. The physio will get you sorted.

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 09/09/2013 13:35

Do you think? I thought it might have been because the pain is gone(ish) but i can still feel the "muscle" or whatever it is swollen (thats what it feels like-like the muscle is swollen) I think i might give the physio a call in a min, just to see what they say. Thanks :)

OP posts:

valiumredhead · 09/09/2013 13:37

Physios are fab, they have x ray eyes it's amazing how they know what's wrong with you. It's quite possible it's actually deferred pain.

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