LolaLayla Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Title says it all. I have already had a good moan on "fit for 2012" thread. The family are all but I have hurt my back and am really fed up. Not sure it all started doing a strange move in the toning class but I developed a pain in my back which I decided to ignore. I am only in my early 50's and am reasonably fit so a twinge in the back is not something to be concerned with, or so I thought. Early on in the week I moved some logs about and tried to restock the bunker. The pain got worse but I was so determined to get it done and "work through" the terrible pain. I now think I have done some real damage. I was so stupid!! GP says I have a problem at L3 and I am now on diclofenic also waiting for scan. Had to get DD's BF to help finish the logs today and empty compost bin. OH cannot help much as he has had dodgy back for years following some slab laying. Anyway the pain can be dealt with by taking the tablets but the worse part of this is the loss of sensation on the front of my thigh to about my knee.......has anyone else had this and how long did the loss of sensation last for? I think I must have damaged/squashed the nerve when struggling with the logs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Wow! How scarey!!! No experience of a personal nature, at all - my mother worked while she had a break in her spine (undetected from an abusive relationship many years before) until she literally collapsed with the agony! After initial hospitalisation, she paid an ungodly amount to see a private oesteopath - that was her turning point in life! She went from being advised she would need to wear a metal corset for the whole of her life, to finding her freedom of movement!! I suppose I'm saying: investigate all options rather than settle for one opinion of diagnosis Equally, I'm saying - get well pronto wishes!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 A friend had this recently - loss of sensation in her leg - and it's definitely connected to a nerve. She's been to see a physiotherapist, and that helped a lot, it's certainly worth exploring other options. You must be really fed up, hope that it improves with some rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizzyMomma Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 First of all a nice gentle {{{HUG}}} from me, secondly if you are getting Diclofenic then it must be bad, that's a heavy duty painkiller and most GP's round my way won't prescribe it any more as it can be addictive I had it last year when I had a ruptured ear-drum oh the bliss! I hope that you are feeling much better very soon sweetheart xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 The numb thigh you describe reminds me of how I felt during my 2nd pregnancy when I developed sciatica. I still get it from time to time but have some strteches to do which help enormously. All I can say is do what you are told, be it rest, move, take tablets, whatever. Would a visit to a chiropracter or osteopath help do you think? My osteopath worked wonders on me when I was pregnant and my chiropracter is now doing the same again (but I'm not pregnant now, honest ) Hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaT Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 So sorry to hear this, I know what you are going through. When are you due for your scan? Please don't let my story scare you but this is what happened to me; I injured my back last year and ended up having an emergency operation to have a disc removed followed by 3 months of work. My problem was at L4/5 and one of my symptoms was loss of sensation although I had it from my buttocks all the way down the back to my toes. I also had severe shooting pains down my legs too which the pain killers (Diclo) couldn't touch. My GP sent me for a scan but the hospital decided I didn't need it and sent me home, they thought it was sciatica. My bowel and bladder then stopped working a couple of days later which is what eventually sent me back to A&E. This time they took it seriously and I was operated on that night. Please, please don't let this scare you!!! I just want to get across the importance of getting a scan. If I'd have pushed to have one on the first visit they would have operated sooner. As it is, 9 months on I still have nerve damage in one leg and loss of sensation in both. Please make sure you get scanned asap and if you get any other symptoms go to A&E. Hope you feel better soon and take it easy. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 Thanks for all your kind thoughts. As I said my family have run out of sympathy I was told I wouldn't need to wait too long for the scan and I think I will phone GP tomorrow to check the referral has gone through. Thankfully the pain is not the shooting variety just a constant one (when the tablets stop working) that no change in position can relieve. I was told if anything changed to contact dr again. I will wait for scan result and then find out about physio or osteopath. AndreaT- your experience sounds awful but thanks for telling it as it's helpful to be aware of problems that can occur. I am so sorry that you have been left with nerve damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickric Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Don't know if this would be any good for you but I had very bad sciatica and lower back pain. Flicking through the tv channels one day I came across this (on QVC ) and even though it isn't cheap and I was a bit sceptical I was fed up of being in pain so ordered it. 10 mins a day for a couple of weeks and I haven't look back since. No more sciatica at all so far (in over a year) and much less work related lower back pain. Don't know if it is the right thing for your problems but worth looking into? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 You poor thing, it sounds awful . I hope you get your scan soon and it turns out to be something easily treated . Don't let your family go , they really need to take on any tasks you can't . A gentle ((hug)) from me too - keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 You have my sympathy. I hope it can be sorted very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Oh l/l I'm so sorry you're in such pain. I hope your scan appt comes in quickly & that treatment isn't too painful. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Numbness down the front could be a nerve trapped in your pelvis, I did get told what it's was but cant remember it was a few years ago now. Mine happened about 18 years ago and it is still numb, but it's fine. It worried me at first but I got used to it. The only time it really bothers me is when it gets cold, it's goes a bit "prickly" Your back pain could be hundreds of different things so best to get it checked, ggod luck, hope it all gets sorted soon and a little easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adelochick Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Sorry you are having back trouble, it sounds like you may have compressed a nerve root giving you the loss of sensation in your thigh. Do be careful and make sure that you don't do any manual heavy jobs until you get this problem assessed thoroughly. We ladies aren't always good at asking for help, but try to plod on with jobs regardless even though we should know better! Having spent two hours myself in A&E today I've now been told I have a detached vitreous humor in my right eye, probably due to a fall on the ice recently, so feeling a bit down myself. Don't feel too guilty if some things get left undone at home, your health is more important as I try to remind myself (my OH is disabled). Hope your scan appt comes through soon. Good luck, Jx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 Chickric - If I can find out what the problem this this may be useful in the future, thanks for posting. Adelochick - I hope your eye gets better soon. What treatment do you have for that Cannot sleep for this back. Decided to try recliner chair instead of bed plus a cup of tea and a look at the forum. It is nice to know that someone is thinking about you and they don't mind a good moan...don't think I can really wake anyone up to tell them I cannot sleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Sounds most distressing, I am sorry hope you get some comfort soon. Adelochick you sound so brave, can it be fixed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Sorry to hear about your eye problem Adelochick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adelochick Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Hi ladies, Do hope you managed to get some sleep in the end Lolalayla, back pain is difficult to contend with and hard to get yourself in a comfortable position. Both OH and I have it, he far worse due to accident and failed surgery, me being a former nurse. I hope your numbness improves, what sort of scan are you actually going to have? Take the medication regularly, even if your pain is eased, to ensure that you get relief from pain/discomfort, and to try to avoid breakthrough pain issues. Unfortunately my eye problem cannot be fixed as such. I didn't even remember that I had fallen in the ice last week and hit my forehead on the ground, when asked at the hospital until towards the end of the assessment with the opthalmologist! It appears that it may well have caused this vitreous tissue in my eye to start detaching away from the back of my eye (retina), as I've been suffering with larger 'floaters' and noticing things in my vision since friday last. After speaking to an optician yesterday, she did advise me to go to A&E as it could be serious, and the lady on-call opthalmologist was lovely there, as she did calm my worries with her manner and treatment of me. Anyway apart from noticing if there is any further increase in 'floaters', flashing lights, or a shadow appearing (in which case I need to contact them straight away) I get to go back in two weeks for another dilation of eyes to recheck that my retina is fine and not becoming detached too (which is much more serious). Sorry to have a moan on again Lolalayla but do take things carefully at home/work, a little untidyness doesn't matter but you and your health does. If there if any moaning that things haven't been done, then let those that moan do jobs instead of struggling on yourself, I say. All the best for an early scan appt, take care, Jx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I hope that both of you get fixed. My back can be very bad (previous injury) at times, but regular visits to my wonderful osteopath keeps it behaving, all the doctors did was give me painkillers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 News! I got a call to go to see the radiographer this pm. I had been told by gp it was for a scan but it is a lumber X-ray. Anyway we will see what is discovered. I am taking the tablets. I would love to do without as I really am not keen on meds however the burning pain in my thigh is so intense I cannot do without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 LolaLayla I hope the x-ray gives some answers so that you can get your back sorted out. Keep taking the meds, you obviously need them at the moment. Good luck for this afternoon. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 My mum has numerous back problems, from trapped nerves to osteo arthritis. She swears by her tens machine, it has little pads that you attach to your skin and delivers a mild electric shock. I was diagnosed with osteo arthritis about 12 years ago, all the specialist said was if you don't want an operation, lose weight, exercise and take lots of painkillers. Havent done any of them but once you know its not life threatening it is easier to live with. I did go to a private physio place when I had a bad bout, he used an industrial sized tens machine to relax the muscles that were in spasm, and gave me some exercises to strenthen the core muscles. That was much better than the advice off the specialist at the hospital. Once you know what the problem is, you will then be able to see what works best for you. Good luck with the X-ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 My osteopath uses some sort of 'thing' to wick away the extra electrical impulses, which relaxes the muscles; works very well to relieve pain and makes it easier fro him to work on me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 That was nice and quick! I hope they're sorting you out as we speak . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 All done The radiographer said that although she could not do the report for the X-ray she could not see anything sinister The report will be sent to the gp and then I could possibly be sent for an MRI if she wants. I feel relieved that she couldn't see anything really bad so will have to wait for report now. She said she had had similar problems and ultrasound helped her. I suppose if there is nothing major I will just need to manage it until it subsides... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 That sounds quite hopeful, great news there's nothing sinister going on . Make sure you take care of your back, just because it doesn't appear to be anything really bad doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
