Any neurologists? Desperate mum.

[Finallygotmy3]

I am desperate for urgent help UK.

Backstory:
I had an L5/S1 Microdiscectomy on June 13th. Around 2 weeks after surgery I noticed my bowels were not the same and I struggled baring down, much lessened urge to urinate but I can void if asked. No incontinence, more like retention. After attending A&E multiple times Cauda Equina was ruled out as Lumbar MRI clear and I can feel touch. Thats fine but the issues are still there, i then developed a huge amount of flank pain on my right side, assumed kidney, attended A&E, dr said this was all in my head, after begging for help he relented and gave me an xray, this showed huge fecal loading on the right and under diaphragm (cause of pain). I asked the ED Dr if that should prove what I'm saying like the muscles are switched off and things have stopped in my bowels. He said no, constipation was common (no I'm not on any meds, took 2 codeine the day after surgery) and I've never had this issue in my life. Sent home with impaction regime and with senna and laxido things are moving. I was also Tachycardic on multiple A&E entries so they shoved Propanalol at me and told me I had anxiety.

Since then I have developed jelly feeling in legs but again can feel touch and walk, parathesia across my arms and face. Right of face went numb so called 111, obs done again and all fine so sent home. I have chest tightness, breathing at times can be laboured but my oxygen is always fine.

Since then I've developed insomnia (1 hour a night if that of sleep). Never had this issue in my life, all put down as anxiety. Hubby and I had sex for the first time yesterday and I couldn't feel almost anything internally. I stopped pregablin that I was taking for sciatica a few weeks back so thought maybe I was in withdrawal, so I took some 2 days ago and slept a few hours, but last night I haven't slept a wink.

How I feel right now is like I'm losing primitive reflexes/sense. Sex, bowel, bladder, emotions, sleep. This is not in my head, this has all developed slowly, A&E dr refused to refer to Neurology, as has my GP but they seem happy to prescribe a very strong sleep med which I don't really want to take. If it works they won't prescribe anymore and then I'm back to square one.

I don't think this is disc related, but maybe brain and misfiring signals/hormones. I'm concerned there could be inflammation or an underlying infection (bloods normal). I'm in desperate need of help and someone to take me seriously, I'm not mentally unwell, I have physical symptoms the medical community are ignoring and that ofcourse is distressing. Any opinions welcome/help. I can't afford private, I'm sure there are a huge amount of people on here intelligent enough to figure this out. Family are supportive but also kind of stuck on how to help, I'm scared this will escalate as no sleep is obviously not good for the brain or functioning. I'm an intelligent woman, I work 2 jobs and I've had this body almost 37 years, I know it isn't working well.

I've taken all the drugs mentioned.

I would say the priority is to get the Pregablin and taper that down over a few weeks, month even. Stopping that cold turkey is not recommended.

Zopiclone is horrible. It is very horrible and the insistence that she just push on from some posters is very irritating. Gabapentin does help sleep and calms the nerves literally in my case. ( I have gabapebtin instead of pregab)

More people need to not be mindless zombies who just do what doctor says.

Most doctors are absolutely useless about meds. I tell them about side effects and they never bring it up to you themselves in all my experience.

Senna is bloody horrible.

Asking for Movicol and sticking with the Laxido for now is a better idea unless the constipation worsens.

Amitriptyline can be very good ( as recommended by the previous poster), but it knocked me almost unconscious until the next afternoon when I tried it. I gave up because drowsiness was too much.

Half a tablet could really help everything though including the insomnia.

I usually cut my new meds in half with a pill cutter to see myself what side effects will do ( because the GP will not tell you or even understand half the time).

I'd rather not see posts pushing OP into taking horrible meds and treating her like a naughty non compliant 5 year old.

Independent thinking is vital now in the face of over worked, under resourced medical professionals who will fob you off, do the absolute minimum, gaslight you into bloody anxiety before you even had anxiety.

OP, I hope today has been more fruitful! 🙏

Codeine causes constipation as do many other drugs. Please check the side effects before taking any medication.

Some very interesting food for thought, the dysautomnia struck me massively. I've noticed my eyes and mouth are very dry despite hydrating a stupid amount.

Have the g.p at 17.20, no sleep last night and I'm honestly terrified to go. Whilst I definitely do need sleep, there is definitely an underlying reason. I was not anxious last night, had a blast with mum and family and still did not sleep with my own mum next to me in bed. My neck is also very stiff from all the tossing and turning in bed, shoulders hurt and aching too. I'm so done! I feel like the surgery has completely funked me up.

The appointment is in 20 mins, I shall update.

Would like the opportunity to discuss a drug of lesser aggression first regarding sleep so hoping they can help.

Hopefully you took the meds and now asleep @Finallygotmy3 ?