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Original poster

Any docs on here? Please explain the thinking behind my treatment.

30 replies

Dillidalli · 27/02/2022 09:41

Can anyone with inside information explain why I don’t qualify for a scan/X-ray/mri on my back.
Have been living with sciatica for over a year. Gradually getting worse. The last 5 weeks it has escalated. 5 weeks ago I was prescribed Amitryptaline and naproxen and cocodamol 15/500. Pain got worse, upped amitryptaline dose, upped cocodamol to 30/500. They don’t even touch the pain.
After a night and day of agonising pain where I can’t sit and it was painful to even take a few steps, I phoned 111 (yesterday) and they gave me diazepam. So I’m on…amitryptaline, naproxen, cocodamol and diazepam. Last night the pain was horrific, there wasn’t a position that didn’t cause me to be in pain.

I have muscle spasms every time I move, my lumber region is swollen, pain is radiating into my buttocks and thugs. I have no reflex in my Achilles and my legs feel weak. Tingling all down my right leg, sometimes both.
Every doctor I talk to asks about my bowels, have I lost control of them. I’m on so many painkillers I’ve been constantly constipated so even if I did lose control I doubt very much I’d notice. I have been leaking urine though.

So, are they just going to keep upping my painkillers until I’m a zombie? Im afraid that if I go to a&e I’ll just end up sitting (leaning/resting/laying) on those hard seats just to be sent home with a prescription for yet more painkillers.
Seeing as I’ve had back pain for over a year, wouldn’t it be good to find out what’s causing it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dillidalli · 27/02/2022 09:45

Forgot to mention, I have had physio. I paid to go private to a top physio and he was great but it only reduced my pain, it didn’t solve the issue. I’ve been referred to MCAS.

OP posts:
Cowardlytiger · 27/02/2022 09:50

Have you told anyone about leaking urine with back pain? I would strongly suggest you do and ask for reassessment via 111 or A+E. Clearly we don’t know your full history and inappropriate to assess here but if you have new / changing urinary incontinence wiyh back pain that is a red flag needing reassessment at the very least

Mollymalone123 · 27/02/2022 09:53

If you are leaking urine you need a and e as it’s possible that’s you may have cauda equine.ring 111

AnnaMagnani · 27/02/2022 09:55

A change in urinary continence is as significant as a change in bowels.

If leaking urine is new for you then you should be going to A+E and telling them all about the back pain, shooting down legs and new leaking urine - before waiting for them to ask.

CactusFlowers · 27/02/2022 09:57

Cowardly tiger is right, you need urgent assessment for cauda equina. Hopefully not that but loss of control of urine is a red flag symptom. www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/patient-information-and-leaflets/documents/patient-information-leaflets-a-z/2435-cauda-equina-syndrome/file

MarmiteCoriander · 27/02/2022 09:58

What is MCAS? Not a Dr, but very surprised they haven't don't an MRI by now- esp given your symptoms! I too would be calling 111 or going to A&E.

Original poster
Dillidalli · 27/02/2022 10:13

Thank you, I thought I may just be being a bit dramatic. Each doc I see (never the same one) has just added more painkillers. I feel like the very hungry caterpillar, pharmaceutical edition.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/02/2022 10:17

Every doctor I talk to asks about my bowels, have I lost control of them. I’m on so many painkillers I’ve been constantly constipated so even if I did lose control I doubt very much I’d notice. I have been leaking urine though

Urgent care or A and E immediately, stress you are leaking urine. This could be very serious and injuries and infections on the spinal cord don't always present in the usual way of losing bowel control. It's appalling you haven't been offered an MRI, an x-ray won't necessarily show up anything sinister.

Justkeeppedaling · 27/02/2022 10:21

I'm guessing you haven't been offered an x ray previously because you've described the pain as muscular above.
But yes, incontinence/unable to move bowels - get yourself seen, urgently.

hedwigismyowl · 27/02/2022 10:25

Where I live GPs cant request CT or MRI scans only X-rays, which are non-specific in back pain. GPs have to refers to hospital doctors who then request scans if required.

Cowardlytiger · 27/02/2022 10:32

I also wouldn’t wait for GP tomorrow. This is a today / now thing. Either call 111 now or go to A+E.

Original poster
Dillidalli · 27/02/2022 10:32

@hedwigismyowl that sounds familiar, now that you’ve mentioned it. I recall hearing the doc saying that she can’t ask for one and I’d have to go through MCaS, and she can’t refer me to them, that Physio have to do it.
You know, I haven’t seen one doctor face to face.

OP posts:
catfunk · 27/02/2022 10:38

My DP Has all of this apart from the leaking urine. Finally got an MRI after 3 months and it's a herniated disk pressing into his spine.
Needs surgery so we're having to go private as the NHS wait list is around a year.
How long have you been taking amitriptaline ? For him upping it to 40mg helped after a few weeks, ie he can shuffle around a bit instead of lying on the floor crying.
I feel for you op- it's dreadful. I'd keep going to a&e asking for morphine, they might escalate treatment, do an MRI faster. The incontinence is Serious - do go to hospital Thanks

Okeydoky · 27/02/2022 10:39

You need to be seen in person and assessed for cauda equina today. Do not delay because it can result in permanent paralysis.

catfunk · 27/02/2022 10:39

Sorry that should say herniated disk pressing into spinal column/ nerves. Hence the tingling and numbness as well as constant pain.

Original poster
Dillidalli · 28/02/2022 11:01

Bad news is that it has turned out to be Cauda Equina, good news is I’ve come in early enough that my nerves haven’t been damaged too badly and when I have surgery this afternoon it should go well. Thank you for pushing me to go xxx

OP posts:
1990s · 28/02/2022 11:08

So, so pleased that you went and they realised what it was. All the best for the surgery and a solid and speedy recovery.

catfunk · 28/02/2022 11:17

Oh so pleased for you op. Great quick treatment - well done for going

Cowardlytiger · 28/02/2022 11:22

I’m really pleased to hear you were seen and sorted - cauda equina was my worry. Hope all goes well this n afternoon

Original poster
Dillidalli · 28/02/2022 20:42

All done now, feel a bit tender and groggy but very relieved. No visitors allowed so a few days of absolute peace. Thank you all 😊

OP posts:
CactusFlowers · 28/02/2022 21:29

Oh my goodness, I was hoping it wasn’t ce but pleased you’ve been seen and had the op so quickly. Hope your recovery goes well.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 28/02/2022 23:06

Thank goodness, I'm so pleased. Wishing you a speedy recovery x

Momijin · 01/03/2022 07:34

Crikey. So glad you've been treated. Really worrying that it took mumsnetters to diagnose it whilst the doctors were just fobbing you off with painkillers 🤬. Hope the pain has gone and you get better asap

RosesAndHellebores · 01/03/2022 08:14

I hope you raise a formal complaint about your GP. Also that you recover quickly.

Elieza · 01/03/2022 08:26

Thank goodness they found it when your gp didn’t bother his/her arse.

Defo a complaint to be raised about that. If not for yourself, for others to ensure the gp makes more effort in dealing with his patients.

I wish you a successful recovery. 💐

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