Numb weak legs 5 weeks after car crash

goz83

I hope this is the right forum. I am a bit concerned about my health. Bear with me while I try to explain. I was rear ended 5 weeks ago. Both cars written off with chassis damage to mine. Since the accident, I have a few ailments, which started about an hour after the accident while waiting for a tow truck.

The pain was fairly mild for the first 24 hours and i went to my GP more as a precautionary measure, but to also get some pain killers and anti inflammatories. Over the next few days, the pain got progressively worse and my upper body movement was very restricted (aside from my arms). I was given muscle relaxers and stronger medication and was advised to see a physiotherapist. The pain was mainly in my neck (whiplash) and was also running down my back, mainly on my right side, with some mild, dull pain at the very base of my spine when sitting for more than a few minutes on a soft chair.

I had 3 physio sessions (1 per week) with a sports physiotherapist local to me. I was also also getting various types of massage (hot/cold, deep tissue, holistic) from a local masseuse twice weekly to supplement healing, because my muscles kept getting very tight and sore. I have since had 5 treatments of massage. After the three physio treatments, the pain was still as bad, but I did have more mobility, especially after a massage. However, the physiotherapist was not happy with progress. He said there was none and that my injuries were just as bad as they were in session 1, so he recommended I see an orthopaedic specialist and to have an MRI done. He said there is more damage than he can treat presently and at the same time, the masseuse would not touch my very lower back, because she thinks the disc is bulging and she cannot help that injury.

Last week, my GP had me booked into a clinic for an MRI scan on my neck and on my lower back. That scan is tomorrow. I ran out of pain killers yesterday and since then, the pain in my lower back is more intense. I have had patches of numbness and my legs (left leg mostly) are weak. A couple of times per hour, I can feel a relieving, cooling sensation flowing through the pain. Panadol just doesn't cut it and I googled my symptoms (bad idea) to see something about trapped nerves and possible permanent nerve damage if nerve is not released. My GP is obviously not available today. The MRI is tomorrow at noon and all the treatments have been a drain on my finances, which are already stretched. Not sure what I should do.

A) Go to GP first thing in morning before the MRI and get medication renewed and also talk about the recent concerning pain and numbness.

Ride it out and go to MRI and see if they can see anything first. If pain persists, get medication renewed while waiting for results of scans.

C) Go to A&E. I am thinking this would be a bit extreme and I am unlikely to do this.

I can walk, although it is not easy. I can climb the stairs too, but I can lead with my left leg since last night when climbing stairs. I have also had constant fluid build up at the base of my neck. The physiotherapist was concerned about this. However, the neck pain is now minor compared to the lower back pain. The masseuse is really only able to relieve the pain in the middle of my back and my right shoulder, which is where the other sore spots are.

I'm more annoyed than anything else. I was supposed to be having a birthday party yesterday, but I couldn't as a result of the pain I have been in.

Sorry about the essay. Opinions appreciated.

LuckyLloyd

You need professional medical advice.

goz83

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

You need professional medical advice.

And its being sought. But when its a bank holiday, professional medical advice is not readily available. I thought that this forum might throw up a couple of suggestions i hadn't thought of. Hopefully i get good news tomorrow

JJayoo

How did you get on?

goz83

JJayoo wrote: »

How did you get on?

I had the MRI. My own doctor is on holiday, but another doctor from the clinic called me. He said the results were marked as urgent, so my heart nearly stopped. I've got a disc "significantly out of place"

He says it is pinching a nerve and that I should go to a&e if i get numbness or tingling in the sciatic area. I have had this already, but in my left leg and my arms very briefly. Now i'm worried, but trying to be positive. Oddly enough, the physiotherapist missed this and my masseuse was the one to spot the bulge in my lower back and said I should get it looked at right away.

The doc will be having a specialist see me asap, possibly tomorrow.