Could Anyone please tell me about lower back pain??? I have some for more than a year and lately it has been increasing. Thanks!!

[menaborges]

The feeling is that the muscles are really really tight, it goes to upper hip. Today specially is really bad, I feel it all the time!!

Can I relate this to amn??

[jolocny Volunteer]

I don't think it could be an actual symptom of AMN - but could be a "side-effect" of the AMN related to walking or balance? I know that I've experienced this for a while but have come to link it to poor stature, walking off-balance. I find that massage attends to it quite well, the minimal gluteus muscles like to seize-up for me and massage relieves the area. I go between walking with forearm crutches and a wheelchair - I do try to stand 'straight' but notice that I'm always leaning slightly forward from the waist when I'm on my feet. I usually have massage only from the hips up to the neck, this is very rewarding for me as I go from one manner of propulsion to the other.

I hope you're able to notice what aggravates it, if a certain movement relieves it, etc. so you can eventually find relief!

[Magnolia209]

I, too, think it could be a side effect of the AMN. I have lower back pain also and it increased greatly after having a total right hip replacement last August. I'm probably walking differently than before and agree it could be related to poor stature. I use a cane/rollator in the house and have resorted to a power chair for any outside. Hope this helps!

[Cherie]

I have lower back pain. It was one of my early symptoms so I can't say that it was due to walking badly although it does hurt more now (10 years on) with excessive walking or increased sitting. I use a walking stick. I have had physio to try and manipulate it but it left me in so much pain afterwards I couldn't face going anymore. I have had xrays and mri's but nothing has shown. At present I see a spinal reflexologist and acupuncturist to try and keep going as pain killers and baclofen have a bad effect on me.

[SusanBr]

Hi, I too suffer with lower back pain, down to my walking gait and posture not good. Full hip replacement last August has changed walking gait again!! Tend to lean to one side and have trapped nerves in the facett joint on L3/L4 of the spine. Have manipulation, massage and acupuncture with a physio to relieve the nerve but muscles very tight on upper legs and lower back!!

If you can get a referral through your doctor to have an assessment with physio might help find out what is causing your problems.

It seems to be an ongoing problem but if you can keep active and find out the cause of the problems hopefully this will benefit you. Take care Sue

[AussieDi]

Hi Menaborgs, sorry to hear of your back pain, I appreciate how you feel as I have suffered lower back pain daily for years (as it seems many of us do). My back pain started prior to family diagnosis of ALD 30yrs ago. I recently had xrays which showed mild scholiosis and some disc degeneration but nothing major. I find standing still for any length of time and walking painful in lower spine and hips. The only meds I have found help for a few hrs are Panadol Extra (x2), they make me feel almost normal with walking (bar balance problems) but I can only take these in the mornings as they have a high dose of caffeine (65mg) and would keep me awake at night, and I already have insomnia issues without adding to it. For those who have same problem with insomnia, I take 1/4 Restavit tablet (over the counter drug) each night which helps (but I get drilled by pharmacist each time I get them as they are addictive). Hope this helps. Cheers