So I have been having an awful time with my back which I posted about the other week.
Today my pain was so unbearable that I was screaming (my husband called an ambulance as he is never seen me in so much pain and I've had 4 surgeries and have been ill for years so I am no wimp lol). My leg has also gone numb like when you fall asleep on your arm and get that weird sensation. It also keeps giving way so I have already fallen down the stairs today.
The hospital still think it is a disc pressing my nerve and basically sent me home with morphine and told my gp to chase an mri.
It is truly unbearable and I have two kids and a job to manage. Does anyone have any suggestions for pain management or relief? I am awaiting physio but have never found it helpful in the past. I usually keep fit and I am a healthy weight.
Thanks
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Please try and avoid surgery if you can, been there done it and ended up worse than ever as they nipped the Spinal Cord by mistake😢
I know and understand how painful it is but YOU MUST NOT have any physio until you have had an MRI as they too can do more damage without knowing the real problem.
100% you have a Prolapsed Disc in either L3/4 or 5 which is pushing on the nerve (hence the dead leg).
You must see a specialist and get this MRI done ASAP which is the only way to be able to diagnose the problem, until then it's only the OraMorph which will help (but not a lot as I found I was taking double the amount to keep the pain at bay.
I wish you all the best & don't forget to try and arrange the MRI.
Hi, really sorry to hear that (I’ve been there). I had to wait nearly 7 weeks for my MRI and then about another 6 weeks for the results. I would strongly advise paying private for an MRI, most Osteopaths and Chiropractors can arrange, it will be done and you will have results in about 3-4 days. All the best.
Hi yes been there. I could not get off the floor where I was laying as it was more comfortable. An urgent MRI was ordered for the next day and I had a large disc herniation which caused a partially numb leg for me and really bad pain down my leg too. Nothing helped and in the end I had surgery. If you have surgery it does not have to end up bad like Del said. However I would recommend you look around for a good surgeon as that is often the key to a good outcome. Look for one who has done the same operation umpteen times.
Thanks for your all your comments. I am hoping to avoid surgery as I have had major surgery (for my other condition) several times. The last two times I had internal bleeding, the most recent requiring emergency surgery by which point I had lost a lot of blood and was lucky to survive. So I am terrified of the thought.
I have been fighting for 4 months for an MRI. It is awful. I can't really afford to pay for it privately at the moment as my husband has just lost his job (when it rains it pours lol). The painkillers aren't very effective unfortunately.
I didn't know I was not supposed to have physio....they are hopeless.
Agreed with above. If you can afford a private MRI get it done. Having said that my physio referred me for an urgent MRI and the results were back within a week. I had surgery when I was rushed into hospital with impending cauda equina. Luckily we have the best orthopaedic hospital in Europe on our doorstep so everything was done brilliantly (and remember you can request any hospital for your care). Also, even if you have some residual pain after any surgery you can have pain management and/or a neural stimulator which is pretty effective. Good luck with it - I feel for you as I know just how bad the pain can be. X
A GP cannot order an MRI. Only a consultant can do that. In the hospital did you see a consultant or did you see a junior doctor?
See a McTimony chiropractor. If they can reduce the pain then it will be well worth it. Part of the problem may be is that the muscles in your legs may be too tight. This pulls on the lower vertebrae which in turn presses on a nerve.
The chiropractor should be able to give a second opinion that you can take to your GP.
I'm still getting the same in my left leg and foot it feels like my leg is dying when really bad and I can't put my foot down on the ground its agony when ball of foot touches down,I'm waiting to go back to orthopedic Dr when are you back?I think sometimes it doesn't look bad to them but they can't see fully ,.
I wonder why they couldn't just keep u in then see specialist shocking.
I have found a chiropractor so will give it a go. There is a service in our trust which deals with physio/mris etc so I am just waiting for them. My gp is prompting them My local hospital is awful my gp said I should have been kept in x
I had this just like you described. I had an MRI and diagnosed with bulging disc on lower vertebra. I was put on waiting list for injections but got better before the appointment with help from McTimony chiropractor which is gentler than ordinary, which I also tried. I take CBD oil regularly too which keeps the pain at a low, bearable level. Hope you get better soon as I know how devastating a condition it is. Also I made myself go for walks to fight the pain and loosen the muscles but I know that can be hard at times.
I use a pain cream from Holland & Barrett called "Green Lipped Mussel Cream" - which has glucosamine etc. in it aswell. I find it's the most effective pain cream there is & you can reapply it as much as you need to. Obviously I use it on top of taking morphine (& Gabapentin which is for nerve/neuropathic pain) - they do help.
I have 4 herniated lumbar discs & lots of other pain & ailments & I've had similar numbness & pain as you're experiencing, I know how much it hurts. Be brave, but let people know how much pain you're in (from 1 to 10) - they need to know.
Morphine is very effective for pain, definitely take it, it's not good for your body to be in pain or your mind, but take only as much as you need, no more, & no more than your doc prescribes & no other tablets without asking first. Please read all the paper information leaflets in your medication - you may find the Dr has forgotten to tell you something or doesn't know (ie. my husband can't eat grapefruit with 1 of his tablets). I'm on MST 12 hour release long-term & it helps. It is supposed to be short-term treatment, but there's nothing can be done for me.
You need to get an MRI scan ASAP!!! Now is not the time to be a mouse! You have to either phone your GP every morning if necessary, for a cancellation MRI, get a home visit, or go to the surgery if you can, until you get that scan.
But ideally I advise you to pay Privately for an appointment with a "Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon" (approx £150). - I asked about & phoned the hospitals to find the main orthopaedic hospital. I asked the receptionist for the nicest, kindest, best orthopaedic surgeon that's good at his work & for his secretary's phone number. I phoned & asked did he see private patients & she said he did, he had an office at a private practise & was there 3 days a week & she said that he was really nice too. Winner! - She didn't say how drop dead gorgeous he was aswell!! Even my husband said "he's a very handsome boy!!" Phew! 💕
I was seen in 2 days, MRI in 5 & results all inside 10 days. Also a minor operation for my fractured foot was done very quickly & I can phone his secretary any time I need to see him again.
I'd like to warn you aswell to refuse physio - the same as another person said, & also not to - eg. lift your knees up to your chest, or legs in the air, or roll over, or climb onto examination beds (or at least not until they bed's been lowered to hip height) & you're also given help by your husband or friend or sister & the nurse), or to stand too long during examinations. You can explain why.
My husband, as I asked him to, refuses to leave my side! He even came in the changing cubicle & helped me in & out of my clothes & the awful hospital gown etc. No need to be rude, just say that you need help from someone familiar.
Please speak up for yourself, doctors, nurses, etc. are only people, there to serve us, so don't allow them either at hospitals or your GP, no-one, to maybe press you too hard, not stop when you ask, or push you into doing something which you feel could possibly injure you further, or you could fall. Be as polite as possible. - My husband ended up falling due to a junior doctor's laziness & was really hurt.
On a good note - 1 person said to avoid surgery, but every person I know has had great success with their surgery. I hope you'll be a lucky one!
But again - no treatment until you get the MRI + the diagnosis from the consultant + you've asked your consultant or GP first. Ok? Good luck.
Thanks for your response, sorry for the late reply.
I have had an MRI and I am currently waiting to see a neurosurgeon as the nerve in my back is compressed. I have been told by the spinal physio to avoid lifting, twisting etc.
The whole thing has been a total joke. I am used to fighting for treatment as I have another condition which was initially really badly managed by them.
I am prescribed morphine but hate the side effects. I can't take nerve blockers as my body doesn't tolerate them.
Hopefully I will get some answers/a way forward soon.
Hi there again. I know you said pain meds really aren't you but buprenorphine patches don't affect me at all with side effects. But they sure do get rid of the pain. They are a morphine related drug but without the side effects.
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