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Original poster

Numb bum / base of spine

34 replies

CreatingHavoc · 06/02/2025 09:26

Last 2 days I have had lots of pelvic and lower back pain after a bowel movement and now my bum is numb on the top left of my buttock and around the base of my spine. Shooting pains in vagina and rectum as well. I googled and read about something called cauda equina and now panicking a bit. I can still wee and poo ok, if slightly more urgently running to the loo than normal. Bowels a bit more loose than usual but I am due on my period and have ibs so... Could it be something else not so urgent as cauda equina? The pain eases up a bit after a while but is still there a bit and the numbness is still there all the time. I really don't want to go to A&E unnecessarily. Could it just be sciatica or something? I've had pelvic pain for a long while now but it's got significantly worse these past few days.

OP posts:

Original poster

CreatingHavoc · 12/02/2025 07:05

@iamnotalemon to be fair I think he was laughing at 111 sending me down more than 'at me'. He just chuckled and I asked 'so you don't think it's that then?' and he said 'it's very difficult to diagnose.' Then the orthopedic said you'd hardly be able to walk. I still have all the same symptoms and the shooting pains are getting worse. The ortho suggested maybe pregabalin to help but I've heard some horror stories about that drug.

OP posts:

iamnotalemon · 12/02/2025 12:02

It's a shame they can't just sent you for an MRI rather than all this faffing about.

Original poster

CreatingHavoc · 12/02/2025 18:54

I know. It's ridiculous really. Passed from pillar to post as usual. As much as I'm thankful for the NHS, it really does take the piss at times.

OP posts:

MrsLT84 · 14/02/2025 19:31

CreatingHavoc · 11/02/2025 20:56

Thanks for the info. Interesting how the advice differs. 111 advised to go straight to A&E, A&E sent me to urgent care, where the Dr laughed at the suggestion of possible cauda equina but then it was discovered my bladder wasn't functioning properly and I had loss of urge, a 'beach ball of a bladder' and retention after emptying. So it was off to orthopaedics for further assessment. Now I have to wait a month for just a telephone appointment with the spinal team, which seems sort of inappropriate. But nothing surprises me anymore with the NHS tbh.

With bladder retention and numbness why on earth didn't they send you for and mri there and then?

Original poster

CreatingHavoc · 16/02/2025 10:46

I've no idea but it's not improving and I think I may now have a prolapse from all the difficulties. Back to the gp on Monday, if the stars align and I can actually get an appointment.

OP posts:

iamnotalemon · 16/02/2025 13:24

@CreatingHavoc

Sorry to hear it's no better!

crankytoes · 16/02/2025 16:39

How have I got to almost 60 never having heard of cauda equina?

iamnotalemon · 16/02/2025 16:46

crankytoes · 16/02/2025 16:39

How have I got to almost 60 never having heard of cauda equina?

I'd never heard of it until I had it...

ClaireThornber · 24/05/2025 01:16

Have you heard of Cauda Equina Champions Charity ? They are the only registered UK charity for CES. They have just launched an App called the “CaudaEquina App “ - lots of essential info

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