Back Pain (Mystery Incontinence)

[sickandsleepy]

Hi all,

Looking for a bit of support or assurance

I’m 29 and normally mobile, but I woke up the yesterday with sudden and severe lower back pain, I can’t stand up straight and when walking it shocks and my leg feels like it’ll go.

I’m struggling to move normally or care for my baby properly, I can’t lift her at all right now.

What’s thrown me a bit is that I had an odd bladder incident yesterday where my underwear was wet, but I don’t remember actually weeing. I can normally feel when I go, so it’s weird and unsettling. I don’t know if it’s related or just one of those things. It’s never happened before even since having my baby.

My GP prescribed co-codamol and diazepam over eConsult, and I’ve got an appointment tomorrow. Do I need to tell them about the incontinence thing?

Has anyone had something like this and it got better without hospital involvement? I’m really hoping it’s not something that’ll land me in A&E.

Thanks in advance for reading - I feel quite anxious and sore and would really appreciate any shared experiences or advice x

Sorry to hear you're having a tough time. I'd head straight to A&E if you are in a lot of lower back pain and experiencing issues with incontinence. It could be something that needs quick treatment to reduce any lasting damage to the function in that area.

OP - please go to A&E, this could be Cauda Equina which needs urgent medical attention.

Honestly you need to go to a&e. You have signs of Cauda equina and that needs checking asap.

Good luck.

Thirding the cauda equina concern & going to A&E immediately. Its hopefully not but you cannot take the risk of not ruling it out! Specifically mention you are concerned about cauda equina when you attend.

This. Don't delay. Go to A&E now.

I agree, cauda equina syndrome can be an emergency. It can be damage to the nerves on your lower spinal cord and present as incontinence, lower back pain or numbness in the genital region. I'd go to A and E just in case. It's one to rule out, even if you've recently-ish had a baby.

Looks like it’s A&E then, just don’t want to feel like a fraud when I can’t even really put my finger on whether it was wee or just damp undies (sorry TMI 😮‍💨) and I’m not numb anywhere. I guess better safe than sorry.

Hope all goes well.

Definitely A&E

Best to get it checked. It could also be a UTI or kidney infection.

How did it go @sickandsleepy?

Hi @Ahhhhhbisto - thanks for checking in. All fine in the end! Went up to A&E and was eventually seen, after lots of poking and prodding they deemed me ok to go home and are going to arrange imaging to find out what exactly is going on. Sent me on my way with Diazepam, Naproxen and co-codamol to manage until then!

Pleased all went ok. Hope the pain eases and you get some answers soon.

If in any doubt about bladder issues please go back and be a nuisance. I mean can't wee as well as unexpectedly weeing
Ditto bowel control