Back injury update and a few questions.

[eggyg]

Hi all. It’s now 11 days since my fall and unfortunately I’m starting to feel worse. The A & E doctor sent me home with some codeine and advised me to rest but keep mobile, which on the whole I’ve tried to do. But after a short trip to Tesco on Saturday, I wasn’t on my own, I’m now finding I can barely walk around for more than 4/5 minutes without being in excruciating pain and I am struggling to weight bare on my left leg. The bruising is unbelievable and the haematoma lump appears,to me, to get bigger the more I walk about. I managed to get an appointment at my GP surgery yesterday. I was convinced my pelvis was broken and they had missed the fracture on the XRay, NICE guidelines, I’ve since discovered, recommend a CT scan for a suspected pelvis fracture. The doc reassured me it isn’t broken but I’ve probably overdone it and torn the muscles again. He also mentioned he’d never seen a haematoma as large, he’s told me to ice it, this was never mentioned at A &E, I’ve to rest and to keep a look out for infection as that’s his main concern. He also gave me a prescription for more codeine, my supply from A & E finished on Friday. Now you know what it’s like there’s always questions you forget to ask, one of them I’m hoping someone can answer, has anyone found codeine raises their BGs? I noticed on the PIL it mentions that “codeine contains lactose monohydrate and if I’ve been told by my doctor you have an intolerance to some sugars to contact your doctor before taking them”. Hmmm....he obviously knows I’m diabetic. Even though I had a better sleep last night, as soon as I walked down the stairs the pain started. I can hardly do anything for myself and I’m finding it frustrating as heck. Should I have perused the CT scan thing and demanded a second opinion or should I do as I’m told, rest, ice and shut up? I’m not prone to hysteria, as you know, but I feel something isn’t right and I know XRays don’t always pick up fractures especially with all that blood pooling around. Apologies for the long post but I needed to vent.

 

[Stitch147]

Vent away Eggy it can't be pleasant for you at all. If it was me I'd push for a scan. I would have thought there would have been some improvement after 11 days not a lot worse. I'd have expected it to be worse for a few days then start to improve.

 

[Kaylz]

I'm with Stitch here, they always say it'll get worse before it gets better but after 11 days it should certainly be starting to ease at least, I'd definitely push for a scan and a second opinion, you know your own body and if you feel that something isn't right with it then they need to investigate it, good luck and I hope you manage to get what you want xx

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Really sorry to hear this @eggyg - it does sound grim, and I do wonder whether the time has come for a bit more of an investigation. I suspect if you requested the CT scan now, you would have a few days to wait anyway, so you’d know if it was settling and could cancel if it was?

As for codeine and BG - I suspect any BG upheaval is more to do with the pain and stress your body is under with your back

 

[SB2015]

Ouch @eggyg .

Sorry to hear about your fall and the amount of pain you are still in.

I suspect that your raised BG is more likely to do with the pain. I have had to run my insulin at 300% in the past, which seemed crazy. To quote my consultant ‘you need what you need’, and keeping on top of the levels will help to avoid possible infections. Keep checking and keep following your hyper rules, and find that big bottle at the back of the cupboard labelled ‘Patience’. I find mine is usually missing when I need it.

Having said that if you are still worried about your pelvis it would be worth pursuing the scan. As Mike said you can always cancel it nearer the time if things settle.

 

[Eddy Edson]

I vote for the scan also!

 

[Thebearcametoo]

The haematoma still being that big is concerning to me aside from any fracture. Push to be seen again. Does your GP do phone appointments? That would save you the discomfort of going in again and if it’s just to get a referral then they don’t necessarily need to see you.

 

[eggyg]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I think my main concern is that my daughter is getting married next week and I really don’t want to be a party pooper or, worst case scenario, not be able to go! I’m worried if it is fractured am I doing it anymore harm by walking on it. The doctor admitted if I was a professional footballer I would be on crutches and not allowed to weight bear! I don’t know why he didn’t think I wasn’t ! I’m going to do as I’m told for the next day or so, ice, rest, painkillers. If by Thursday I still feel like this I’m going to get in touch with them again. Yes @Thebearcametoo our surgery does do telephone consultations so that’s an option. Just tried my dress and shoes on I have bought for the wedding. Now presently on line looking for flat shoes, not sure heels will be an option, sadly!

 

[Ljc]

I agree it’s time for further investigations. In my non medical opinion the haematoma (lump) should not be getting bigger now, though the bruising will spread far and wide .
The pain your in sounds dreadful .tbh I think your Gp is being rather lax and further investigations need to be done quickly.
Is their any swelling or sore spots to your leg.

Some folks like me are Lactose intolerant, though I find I am fine with meds that contains Lactose as the amount is so small, though I suspect some people are very intolerant
But a little too much Lactose causes me some very unpleasant digestive problems and I feel as though I am going down with flu.

 

[eggyg]

I agree it’s time for further investigations. In my non medical opinion the haematoma (lump) should not be getting bigger now, though the bruising will spread far and wide .
The pain your in sounds dreadful .tbh I think your Gp is being rather lax and further investigations need to be done quickly.
Is their any swelling or sore spots to your leg.

Some folks like me are Lactose intolerant, though I find I am fine with meds that contains Lactose as the amount is so small, though I suspect some people are very intolerant
But a little too much Lactose causes me some very unpleasant digestive problems and I feel as though I am going down with flu.

He asked about my legs and did feel them. The bruise extends down my thigh and was quite heavy and achy initially but has been fine for a few days.

 

[AndBreathe]

@eggyg - Three or four years ago now, I had a worrying breast lump removed (in the end it was a very rare destructive, but non-malignant tumour - Phew!).

Anyway, in order to get all the offending tissue out, a couple of my ribbs were stripped, like they do when they French trim a rack of lamb? Boy, did that make for a stonking haematoma. It took weeks, and weeks to resolve and whilst I had sutures holding the site closed it was as tight as anything.

Once I had the sutures out, the wound ruptured and the pain got less (because there was less pressure). Under medical supervision and instruction, I then spent weeks expressing clots the size of duck eggs from the wound. My chest was, and is only a 32D, so it was most peculiar. Where was it all coming from!??

I can't imagine how painful it would have ended up, had it not liberated itself.

The wound eventually closed and it's all a distant memory.

Whilst, like you, I needed more reassurance than that's all fine, it can be troublesome to get really good images if there's a lot of blood around.

Have you asked if your Big H is suitable for aspiration of at least some of the contents?

I sympathise Eggy. It must be extremely unpleasant, painful and worrying for you.

 

[Drummer]

I wonder if you have separated some of the ligaments which hold the pelvis rigid, or even loosened it along the edges of the bones which fuse together to form the rigid ring of bone - that would explain the way exercise is not helping.
Perhaps you can get hold of some crutches - from Freecycle or Gumtree - or the Red Cross - to assist in the next few weeks.
When I had an injury to my knee which made me really wobbly and uncertain about going outside, I dug out my walking poles and they made such a difference to my confidence and ability to get around that I'd recommend 'extra legs' to take the strain off anytime.

 

[eggyg]

@eggyg - Three or four years ago now, I had a worrying breast lump removed (in the end it was a very rare destructive, but non-malignant tumour - Phew!).

Anyway, in order to get all the offending tissue out, a couple of my ribbs were stripped, like they do when they French trim a rack of lamb? Boy, did that make for a stonking haematoma. It took weeks, and weeks to resolve and whilst I had sutures holding the site closed it was as tight as anything.

Once I had the sutures out, the wound ruptured and the pain got less (because there was less pressure). Under medical supervision and instruction, I then spent weeks expressing clots the size of duck eggs from the wound. My chest was, and is only a 32D, so it was most peculiar. Where was it all coming from!??

I can't imagine how painful it would have ended up, had it not liberated itself.

The wound eventually closed and it's all a distant memory.

Whilst, like you, I needed more reassurance than that's all fine, it can be troublesome to get really good images if there's a lot of blood around.

Have you asked if your Big H is suitable for aspiration of at least some of the contents?

I sympathise Eggy. It must be extremely unpleasant, painful and worrying for you.

The doctor mentioned he didn’t think it warranted it, but I get the impression if the blood was released it would be less painful. I explained to him that I felt as soon as I started walking around I can feel all the blood pooling into a hard lump, if you know what I mean. That’s the only way of explaining it really. Glad you got sorted though. Thanks.

 

[eggyg]

I wonder if you have separated some of the ligaments which hold the pelvis rigid, or even loosened it along the edges of the bones which fuse together to form the rigid ring of bone - that would explain the way exercise is not helping.
Perhaps you can get hold of some crutches - from Freecycle or Gumtree - or the Red Cross - to assist in the next few weeks.
When I had an injury to my knee which made me really wobbly and uncertain about going outside, I dug out my walking poles and they made such a difference to my confidence and ability to get around that I'd recommend 'extra legs' to take the strain off anytime.

I did jokingly say I was going to get my, what I call, my old lady walking poles out. I’ve just stood up from the sofa where I have been ensconced all day, apart from loo trips, and stood at the kitchen sink for a minute max to wash a chopping board and I had to literally lift my left leg off the floor to relieve the pain. I’ve sat back down now, Mr Eggy can do the rest! There’s definitely something amiss. Thanks for the tip though. I’ll get them out of my rucksack and give them a clean, they’ll be caked in mud from our last walk. Think it’ll be a while until I need them for hiking up a fell!

 

[Drummer]

Oh good - it should keep you mobile, to some extent, whilst taking at least some of the strain off the injured/inflamed part. Staying as mobile as possible, so the blood is circulating, but not adding further strain is usually a good thing.
I have known several people who had accidents on motorbikes where they came into heavy contact with immovable objects, and the quality of their recovery was often dependant on how mobile they were able to remain during the time they needed to heal.

 

[AndBreathe]

The doctor mentioned he didn’t think it warranted it, but I get the impression if the blood was released it would be less painful. I explained to him that I felt as soon as I started walking around I can feel all the blood pooling into a hard lump, if you know what I mean. That’s the only way of explaining it really. Glad you got sorted though. Thanks.

In these situations, I always wonder if that's how the other person would feel in your shoes, but hey ho.

I know when I had some early stuff aspirated off, it felt like my poor old, just be sliced and diced boobie would just disappear up the aspiration tube.

The problem, over time is the blood congeals, to become gelatinous, and starts to resorb.

Has the Doc got you on any sort of prophylactic antibiotics, if he has concerns about infection? I had several lots of the things, as mine was as open wound, and of course they don't do a lot for the gut flora. I know nobody wants any more antibiotics than can be helped.

It's a horrid time for you and I don't envy you for a second. Take it steady. Now isn't the time for heroics. You can always decorate the walking poles to match the season. 😱))

 

[eggyg]

In these situations, I always wonder if that's how the other person would feel in your shoes, but hey ho.

I know when I had some early stuff aspirated off, it felt like my poor old, just be sliced and diced boobie would just disappear up the aspiration tube.

The problem, over time is the blood congeals, to become gelatinous, and starts to resorb.

Has the Doc got you on any sort of prophylactic antibiotics, if he has concerns about infection? I had several lots of the things, as mine was as open wound, and of course they don't do a lot for the gut flora. I know nobody wants any more antibiotics than can be helped.

It's a horrid time for you and I don't envy you for a second. Take it steady. Now isn't the time for heroics. You can always decorate the walking poles to match the season. 😱))

I don’t have a spleen so take prophylactic penicillin everyday, I suppose and I’m just guessing here, aspiration may introduce some bugs, he was concerned about open wounds. I don’t appear to have any in the area but it’s so black and blue I suppose a scratch could be missed. In fact the lump has been itchy today and I was very cautious when trying to ease it. TBF it’s very sensitive and I can hardly bear to touch it. I feel a bit better this morning pain wise, touch wood it’s the start of the healing. Still going to take it easy until I am 100% certain though. ( she says as she gets in from going out to the garden to top up the bird feeders! Gingerly, I may add.) 😉

 

[Stitch147]

I really hope it eases up for you soon Eggyg, especially in time for the wedding. Sending some very gentle hugs. X

 

[Bloden]

Oooh, @eggyg, I really feel for you. No advice just a great (((BIG HUG))).🙂

 

[trophywench]

Well my mom always told me that the itching meant 'it' was healing, so not to scratch else I'd prevent it doing so. Hence when it's driving you nuts itching - try icing it?