A second vertebrael fracture

[strawclutching]

I was just about to have a DEXA scan on Wednesday 4th December before being considered for Romosozumab, but stupidly attempted to pick a heavy scanner off the floor. Heard the crack, felt the pain and crawled to the orange cord to summon the warden. However, being a Sunday, no warden was available - I'd only just moved into the flat for that very reason and paying an enormous maintenance fee for the privilege. Someone based a hundred miles away did answer and phoned an 'emergency' ambulace which incidentally took 5 hours! Desperate for the toilet during that time, I had to crawl there.

Paramedics were great, gave me painkillers and one lifted the scanner for me like it was a feather!

I was left in a wheelchair in the waiting area of A and E from 8.30pm until 5 am and then assessed (finger up the bottom), given my first drink of water with codeine, Had 2 Xrays, one flat on my back, the other standing. Offered porridge at 8.15 am but no meds (insulin, Famotidine, Pred) even though the paramedics had entered them all on the system in the ambulance. So I had to decline, sadly.

Was unable to put weight on either foot without excrutiating pain, so before I was discharged was given a pair of sticks (left and right). Then my lovely daughter brought me home but couldn't stay - work, kids, etc.

It's now day 5 and the pain is just as bad. Getting around is only managed with much agony and a lot of groaning.

I'm taking 30 mgs Codeine with 1,000mgs Paracetamol around every 6 hours but they are not having much effect and the pain is getting me down.

I'm currently on 9 mgs Prednisolone and wondering if this should be maintained or increased. I'd rather not increase, as it's taken me over 4 years to get here.

My DEXA has been put on hold until the New Year as I wouldn't be able to clib onto the examination table. So mad with myself I can't tell you. The last time I fractured the L2 and it didn't affect my walking at all, just my back and that was agony enough, but this time it's lower down (they didn't tell me which vertebrae), so I'm not sure how long this pain is expected to last. I'm in the process of changing GP's having moved out of the area. Feeling pretty low just now. Any advice gratefully accepted.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

So sorry to hear your woes - my husband had a spinal fracture so I know how painful they can be. I also have had a compression fracture but it itself didn't hurt, though we don't know when it actually happened. My pain was due to muscle spasm - although a fracture is the most common cause of back muscle spasm mine had been a problem for a couple of years.

Unfortunately it can take at least 6 weeks and often longer for spinal fractures to heal. I'm far from sure that increasing your pred dose would help.

But I'm sure you know really - lifting anything isn't a good idea if you have potential spinal problems and you do have a history.

I think a couple of complaints are due though. My daughter works in the ED so I am well aware of their problems. but not providing insulin to diabetics is a major oversight - they could have ended up with a far more seriously ill patient and increased their workload. I always carry a day's meds with me - and no hospital gets to take them away from me!

And given what the fees are for such flats, they should at least have a local responder available on a Sunday, even if it is just a cleaner! If that is their standard, you'd be as well in your own place and paying a carer!

[strawclutching in reply to PMRpro]

Too right! I'd been led to believe that even when the warden wasn't on duty, there'd be a local person on call to deal with emergencies. It seems the warden hasn't even been informed of what happened, as I've had no contact with anyone since I came home 6 days ago.

Getting to the toilet in the 9 hours I spent in the waiting room at A & E was another problem. I eventually caught a passing nurse's attention to ask her to wheel me into one of the toilets, but then I was stuck there for 15 minutes until a lovely patient came to my rescue.

How much movement should I be doing? Because of pain levels, I'm doing as much as I need to take care of eating, keeping clean, dressing, etc. But everything is painful. Will an intake of 4 x 30 mgs Codeine a day for several weeks present a problem? Advice leaflet says do not continue for more than 3 days.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to strawclutching]

The codeine puts you at risk of constipation so you need to be taking something to ward that off. It should be issued with the codeine script IMHO!

The ED toilets will have had a panic button/cord. They'd have been there to rescue you in a shot if you had pulled that!!!

Movement? Not sure to be honest - this is what the ROS has to say

theros.org.uk/information-a...

Though to be honest - the second one, the back stretches, and the third on your back would be an absolute no-no for me, I'd never get up on my own even if I could kneel in the first place! You can get boards to put on a bed to do exercises - don't know where from. But no consideration of the single person living on their own - nothing new there then!

Is there a physio service at the GP practice? Is the new practice one you can actually get to speak to?

[strawclutching in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for those, but like you if I get down on the floor I don't think I'd be able to get up. Maybe in a couple of months. 😞 Not sure about the new practice having a physio service - haven't even had my registration application accepted yet. But there is a separate physio service I've used before which I'll think about once I'm able to get out. At the moment it's just unthinkable - and scary!

I hadn't noticed the pull cord inside the ED toilets! But I'll know to do that next time - if there is a next time!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to strawclutching]

If there wasn't - there should have been. No way of finding out - another complaint if there wasn't!! If in doubt - shout!

I wonder if the spine flexing action would work sitting on a chair like the shoulder one?

The practice must provide emergency care even before the registration is processed. Is your daughter far away?

[strawclutching in reply to PMRpro]

We live about 40 miles apart and she has a full time job so it's a bit difficult. I've been so sleepy, but apparently that's part of the body's healing process and I remember being that way last time. Officially I still have another 6 days with the old GP as they give me a full month from when I moved for finding a new GP. Should I ring them?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to strawclutching]

You could ask for advice, you can't get there for treatment I assume. But under the circumstances, you really could do with the new GP getting things sorted. Most GPs it is just a case of them entering your details on their computer - your notes from the previous GP could take weeks, if not months, to arrive.

And yes, sleep is very much part of the healing process.

[strawclutching]

Blimey! That long? Don't they do it electronically? I'll give them a ring. Thanks PMRpro.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to strawclutching]

Not necessarily - old notes may not yet be fully digitalised. And they used to have to go via a central records department for traceability.

[strawclutching in reply to PMRpro]

Well I rang the old GP and they said since I've filled out the registration form with the new GP they can't give me any advice. Rang the new GP and they said the woman who deals with registrations is off today and to ring back on Monday. Well, I tried. 😞

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to strawclutching]

What a piece of nonsense, All that leaves is 111 if you have an emergency.

[strawclutching in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, she told me that too.🙄They can't wait to get rid.