hi,
I have had pain in my tailbone and sacrum on and off for the last 8 months. For the last 2 weeks, the pain has been constant, it goes from achy, to sharp pains spreading to my right buttock, there’s pressure in my back from sacrum to tailbone. Sitting hurts, walking hurts, lying down is agony. I’m starting to have bowel problems too. I’m really worried about this, I will be contacting my GP. Just wondering if anyone has had this and what it turned out to be?
thanks
X
I had similar. I’ve had back problems for many years, sciatica causes symptoms similar to yours but my most recent problems started in the summer of 2021 after I fell over backwards from waist height when I was getting up off the ground when I was in the garden - I flew backwards through the air and landed hard on my tailbone. The initial pain was absolutely excruciating and I hobbled around for a few days before trying to get something done about it.
I asked our then GP to send me for an X-ray but she said refused! I couldn’t believe that she did - she just wasn’t interested - told me that at my age it was probably a ‘touch of osteoarthritis’.
Eventually the pain was just horrendous, the surgery just didn’t answer their phones so I got my husband to drop me off at our local A&E. However because my bladder and bowels were functioning properly I was triaged to the hospitals GP who diagnosed sacroiliitis and prescribed Naproxen and physiotherapy.
The naproxen worked straight away and was good although after diagnosis I was prescribed a longer and stronger course plus omeprazole and that was a complete disaster for me. The physio finally happened about a year later by which time I had visited a really good private physio who referred me for a private MRI scan. In the end I had three scans altogether and was found to have a sacral insufficiency fracture - Google it and read about it. . Very ouch!
When I thought about it I doubt if a regular X-ray would have shown the sacral fracture. I think the one sure way to get your doctor to sit up and take notice is to say that it is beginning to affect your bowels and bladder.
In the end I came straight home from my visit to the hospital GP and transferred to another GP practice.
I would contact your GP and hopefully they will help. The physio who referred me was adamant that I get proper pain relief - in fact he wrote to my new GP to tell her that. Let us know how you get on.
Was there an event eight months ago that triggered this pain, like falling over something and hitting the ground? I've looked at your bio and you're probably too young to have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and be on the meds which can cause fractures once they're discontinued, so the pain can't be due to that. Like Fruitandnutcase, I also had fractures of the sacrum and, in my case, my pelvis too, and know how painful they can be. Mine were caused by discontinuing Prolia, an osteoporosis medication. That's another story!
I think an MRI is the best diagnostic scan to have done to check whether you have fractured your sacrum and possibly coccyx . I initially had an x-ray and a CT scan, and neither showed the fractures. It was only when I pushed for an MRI a week later as I was in terrible pain that the fractures were diagnosed.
As you've been in pain for eight months now, a trip to your GP is long overdue. Hopefully he/she will order an MRI ASAP.
Hi. I had such pain for many months which was ignored. The health service was more interested in bullying me into taking bone meds. Luckily my friend's husband who had been a medic in the RAF noticed I was in pain and simply suggested I get a Sacro Iliac Belt. It's a wide, strong, double elastic belt which is worn tightly around and across the area that hurts. It cost about £8 a few years ago. I wore it over my clothes but covered by a blouse or jumper etc. I wore it for a few weeks and the relief came almost immediatly. Like yourself I was unable to sit etc for a long time having had two vertabral compression fracures also.
It has taken me over 2 years to be be able to sit on a normal height chair. Even so my furniture at home is raised and if I travel I take a seat raiser. Sometimes if I sit for too long the pain starts to nag. Only twice have I used the belt again and only for a few days. Worth a try, and it can't do any harm.
The other thing which helped was a 12 ft long u shaped pillow or body bolster. I'd never heard of them but for me it was a life saver. An Occupational therapist told me about them and suggested I sleep with the thick pillow under my knees to take pressure away from my back. They are so versatile...I looked on u tube before I got one, and chose one with extra filling. I got used to it and it felt like sleeping in a cuddle (which did not snore.)
Just a couple of things which helped me. Let us know if you give either or both a try and if they helped.
So sorry you are in so much pain. I remember well how I felt as you describe.
Di Do xx
Sorry to hear you're in such pain.My symptoms to start with were exactly the same as yours & in the same area.
An MRI scan pinpointed the problem - Spinal Stenosis in L3&4.
I'm to have surgery soon.
You must tell your GP that you have bowel /bladder problems & be firm about needing a scan to identify your problem.
Feel free to contact me anytime.
Good luck.
I have had coccydenia since 1986, after a D & C. Nothing to do with my osteoporosis, it went on for years then it was OK for a while, then it came back when I tried to lift, when I tried to walk too far, I spent most of my life being cautious about what I did in the end.
The last bout has now lasted over a year. The best thing is to get the coccyx cut out cushions (the wedge ones I find best), get the weight off the coccyx, in the car, on seats etc. Allow it to heal (its probably inflamed). It could be bent, in which case coccyx manipulation can help, it didnt help me but some find it puts it back in place. When the coccyx is out it causes pain in the button and in the back on that side as well and pins and needles. I used to feel like I was sitting on a golf ball.
It could be Your sacroiliac joint. I had the same pain for months . Thought I was done for ! Looked up some exercises on YT and they were simple and took my pain away in days . Something about woman’s hips being uneven after childbirth/carrying children/ sitting to one side of our pelvis . Try the exercises , hope they help !
Hi Southward82. Did you go to your GP and get any resolution to your pain? I have had exactly the same issues as you for the last 6 months. I tried everything. 3 weeks ago i was sent for a CT scan and now here i am being passed onto a sarcoma specialist team. They found a golf ball siz tumour whoch they call a soft tissue sarcoma sitting om my cocycx and hitting the nerves. I have no idea what to expect, but going through the internet for help ans support.Wish you all the best
Poppy
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