Posted on 09/13/2013 8:55:51 PM PDT by trussell
Well, I sure screwed it up today… I went to sit down on a chair that wasn't there and fell, now I can't move my legs and the ER released me saying nothing is broke so there is nothing they can/will do. No brace, no chair, no crutches, nothing. The doctor didn't even touch me, tell me to wiggle toes, take my temp, listen to my heart, nothing...just a CT scan and then let me go. I couldn't even get in the car without a nurse, 2 cops and a citizen who offered to help. I don't know what to do now, I can't walk :'(
This is of course concerning to me since I have a fused spine and ongoing issues. I'm calling my pain management doc to see if he wants to do something different.
Do not go to a chiropractor.
You may have swelling that is impinging on the nerves or it may be bone but you need to get it looked at by a competent specialist.
Prayers for your recovery.
Hang in there. May be no more than a pinched nerve from the shock. Not a small thing, but not permanent?
He needs a neurologist, not having his knuckles cracked.
I’m on oxycodone and flexeril for my ongoing back issues and just took an ibuprofen (600mg) for the inflamation. I still haven’t heard back from my doctor, and I felt another pop earlier. My pain is bad at the indent at the base of the spine and it radiates up to the middle of my back, feels HOT and dull, like a fist is being shoved though me. The legs are still not doing anything, though I can still move the big toe on the right foot. I can FEEL the legs, I just can’t move them. I have borrowed my daughter’s wheelchair and crutches, though she has been on again/off again needing them herself. I have an appointment with a surgeon for a consult a week from Monday. It was suppose to be this Monday, but they scheduled it for the wrong location and I had to cancel since I didn’t have 3 days notice to give to transport of the location change. (my van is GONE...engine destroyed, given away for scrap). Besides, can’t drive if the legs don’t work :(
“I have an appointment with a surgeon for a consult a week from Monday. It was suppose to be this Monday, but they scheduled it for the wrong location and I had to cancel since I didn’t have 3 days notice to give to transport of the location change. (my van is GONE...engine destroyed, given away for scrap). Besides, can’t drive if the legs don’t work :(”
You can’t wait a week — you need to be seen ASAP. I suggest you try to find a friend or acquaintance who is willing to take you to the doctor on Monday — looks like you are not better and really need to be seen. Sometimes even casual friends will come through in a true need and this is definitely one.
Can you go to a different hospital emergency room tomorrow — if you can’t move your legs, they will have to take you seriously.
Best wishes.
Get well soon!
I might have to break down and call for an ambulance again tomorrow morning. I have nobody who can take me, we just moved to a new neighborhood and don’t know anyone yet...and my landlord/friend has to work. I called my insurance nurse help line...waiting now for the callback.
Prayers lifted.
Thank you EVERYONE for the prayers. I appreciate them so much.
I hope to have the use of them back soon as I am suppose to be the transport provider for another appointment soon for a hip injection. Please, keep up the prayers. I know it’s in God’s time, I’m praying his time is sooner rather than later.
I just talked to a nurse from the nurse hotline on my insurance and she recommends an immediate trip to the ER...a different ER than last night. She says if I can’t go tonight, I need to go tomorrow and I should take care not to walk for fear of falling. I am to tell them what treatment was done last night and how everything has gone for me since the fall.
From your description, you need to be under a doctors care in-hospital TONIGHT. Whether you return to the hospital that didn't treat you effectively and complain to the hospital resident chief to receive the treatment you need, or go to a different hospital - I'm urging you to get yourself to a hospital and under an orthopaedic/neurosurgeon's care immediately. Your symptoms (to put it bluntly) ARE NOT GOOD and your history would indicate nerve root impingement.
I'll tell you flat out the longer you wait the more the likelihood the damage will be permanent.
I waited and as a result I do not feel the bottoms of my feet. Your symptoms sound worse than mine were. Get yourself to a hospital and demand an evaluation by an Orthoped or Neurologist.
“Stupid idiots, CT’s do not show bone damage, just tissue. You needed an MRI.”
CT is quick and cheap and does show bone damage and some soft tissue damage. CT is basically “3D xray”.
MRI shows soft tissue and some bone. It is “3D imaging” for soft tissue mainly.
MRI is very expensive.
“You should NOT take ibuprofen, Aleve or Advil together”
fyi, Advil is a brand of ibuprofen.
While I know that, you'd be surprised how many people do not.
“I might have to break down and call for an ambulance again tomorrow morning.”
I am going to agree with that. Your condition is not life threatening. However, you may need surgery. If that is the case, you will likely not get surgery for a week or so after a specialist completely evaluates you and has whatever tests he wants done.
Surgery is the last thing they want to do.
However, if you wait a week to see a specialists then it will be another week until they do surgery or 2 weeks total.
It will be a long wait if you are in pain.
Prayers for your complete healing Trussell!
Well just be grateful you can still Freep!
(just kidding- Hope you feel better quick!)
You probably have some swelling that is pinching a nerve, and while painful everything will be fine once the swelling goes away as long as you can relax until it does- do you have ANYONE who is helping you? Did they tell you to ice it?
I would not hesitate to go to a different hospital ER- and if they find something serious $KA-CHING$ from hospital #1
I've been a spinal cord patient caregiver for over 28 years and I would say your situation constituted an immediate second opinion Last Night and another trip to the ER to obtain it. Spinal injuries are nothing to play around with or delay getting help on. Your GP will even tell you that. If it were myself or a loved one I'd call for the ambulance and go on in now.
Believe me, I am thankful I can post for prayers!
My son has been home to help, but he goes back to school on Monday. They didn’t tell me to do anything except contact my PCP and request PT...I can’t do PT, I had 6 months of PT since last November and my insurance says that’s all! The nurse argued with me, telling me I had to ask...even though the therapist did everything in her power to get me more sessions.
I told the nurse that if something was found to be wrong, the doctor at memorial would be very sorry he didn’t take my care more seriously!
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