Cauda Equina?

[goingpearshaped]

Hello,

Has anyone had Cauda Equina? I can't tell if I need to do something. Back pain radiating down legs. Called GP and went for f2f appt on Friday as they were concerned re numbness. They think not Caula Equina which is most likely I know, jus sciatica. I do have increasing leg weakness though. Can still feel them and stand etc but not strong and that part is getting worse. Is this a common experience?

I am really not panicking, I can't keep ringing up for emergency appts as do not want to be a pain (had two last week since they asked me to call back if still numb, it was).

If I call 111 they will just send me to A&E which seems madness if just part of sciatica which is what they think it is. It's hard to know whether getting worse or not as variable throughout the day. Pain perhaps less but numbness worse and talking mostly more difficult than the other day.

Thanks
PP

No, but my sister did. She had to have emergency surgery and they told her if she hadn’t had it, she’d have risked permanent faecal incontinence. If you’re at all worried I would go to A&E.

Thanks @GiantCheeseMonster, hope your sister is doing much better. Hard to make the call as I have called the GP twice and seen them Friday pm). They thought it was not CE btw else I would be more worried!

If the numbness is worse you need to be seen, CE can be effectively treated, but it's important to get it done asap. Changes in neurological symptoms need to be seen, that's why 111 will just say A&E. it's not worth risking.

Not an expert but my SIL had it. I think one of the main symptoms is inability to feel the need to empty bladder/ bowel. If you get that it needs to be emergency scan and then surgery ASAP. Within 36 hours I think.

Can you pee if not a and e.
Have you soiled self?

Get some pregabalin or amitriptyline

Thanks all. I have amitriptyline, codeine and now naproxen. Not touching it, last night was just evil. Took me an 1hr 40 mins to get off the bed and I promise I am not totally hopeless with pain. This is something else. Call with practice nurse (emerg appt) says just add in naproxen and phyiso (Dec). Not concerned re CE. I said about my left leg feeling very numb and weak (I can stand on it) but they talked to GP who feels not CE. Likely not but this feels awful and more thna just sciatica. I can't even sit as left leg is just numb yet also painful. I realise that this sounds impossible.

thanks for the responses :) No inability to pee/poo/soiling although codeine has the opposite effect!

I had this and doctors were concerned about CE as I did lose the ability to walk. I couldn't feel my lower half yet it was painful if that makes sense. It hurt but I couldn't stand up because they were numb.
It wasn't CE but my arthritis had caused inflammation in my spine and it was trapping a nerve. Morphine for the pain and diclofenac for the inflammation helped but I was in hospital for 2 days until feeling came back in my legs.
I was only 28 at the time.

Thanks @HerRoyalWitchyness, that sounds similar and what you said about numb and pain is exactly my current experience. I have been stood up all morning as I can't sit down (and am still working). I don't have arthritis though that I am aware of (don't think so). I suppose it it continues at night I may end up calling 111. I really don't want to do this as I don't want to burden services nor do I want to end up in A&E. I just can't live like this though, truly I cannot.

My DH had sciatica pain so bad he was in tears trying to get up from the sofa at its worst and he's a man with an extremely high pain threshold.

He was prescribed Gabapentin, Naproxen and Diazepam. Nothing really worked and so he had a steroid injection with an epidural in Harley Street (couldn't wait for NHS as pain was so intense and he also had numbness down his legs and buttocks).

Took about 3 weeks and suddenly he got heaps better and about 3 months later the pain was gone.

Thanks @BentCandle, sounds just like me. I am so glad he is better :). Will look into this, we don't have private healthcare but struggling hugely. I am exhausted by all of this!

Hi I think it would be worth a trip to a and e. I had numbness but without pain and ended up being diagnosed with a neurological condition. They did suspect CE and it is a medical emergency so I wouldn’t feel guilty about going. Sounds like you need an MRI. Hope you get sorted.

Thanks @Stellashere, I would have been happier with an MRI but they said no this morning. Will see how this PM goes I think. It's hard to be pushier but sometimes you have to be.

Hope you are faring better now :)

This was me 2 years ago. Absolutely horrendous pain, numbness in my left foot, codeine and Naproxen didn't touch it. Not CE ( but that doesn't mean yours isn't). I tried everything. physio helped a bit but not much.
In desperation I went to an osteopath that someone recommended. I had always avoided them.as being unqualified /scam artists but she was brilliant. Three appointments later I was completely fine and have stayed that way ever since.

Classic symptom of cauda equina is numbness in the 'saddle' area. Inability to pee and unable to feel bowels. If you get any of these you need an emergency mri and surgery within 24 hours.

You’re right it is hard to be pushy but sometimes you have to be. The GP told me to come back in a week if the numbness hadn’t gone but I went back the next day as I was so stressed and ended up seeing a different GP who packed me straight off to a and e. I’m fine now thanks and I hope you are too soon

Please do get seen my DH ended up with emergency surgery after weeks and weeks of agonising pain, he was offered the injections but we refused knowing that they just block the pain. It's been 6yrs since his surgery and whilst he still has to do his stretches and exercises he's not in pain.
You really need an MRI, hope you get sorted soon

THanks all, I am listening and really grateul for all the replies.

Sorry for typos, I am absolutely exhausted. Worried that if I call 111 and end iu in minor injuries or A&E then it will piss off the GPs etc. I literally have been stood up all day, sometimes on one foot only to do the best I can to relieve the numb/pain sensation. This is just madness.

At this stage I wouldn’t worry about pissing anyone else off, you know your own body and it’s clearly not resolving by itself. Maybe worth giving 111 a call and just see what they say.

Thank you @Stellashere, I really do appreciate it.

Do not worry about pissing off your doctor!! If you are at all doubtful call 111 it sounds to me like getting checked out in A&E won't be a bad thing.

Don't be worrying about the GP get yourself seen as the treatment they are giving you isn't doing the job anyway as you're in so much pain.

Thanks all . They have given me an emergency appt tomorrow eventually. If awful tonight I will call 111. I just needed that kick up the arse to take the reins and not feel bad about it. Would not hesitate if one of my DC!

@goingpearshaped

Thanks all . They have given me an emergency appt tomorrow eventually. If awful tonight I will call 111. I just needed that kick up the arse to take the reins and not feel bad about it. Would not hesitate if one of my DC!

Good luck with your appointment today keep pushing! How are you feeling this morning ?

Thanks @glitterelf, that's so kind of you to ask. Neuralgia pain is much better ironically, best I have felt for about two weeks now. Numbness still in legs and also pain with it. But GP says not CE and has seen a lot of it so feel reassured. Just sciatica although he was very nice about me going as I felt like such a fraud. Agh! Here's hoping this is the up side of things now. Thanks again