Excessive back pain and chronic fatigue, is it possible Endo isn’t the only cause??

[Deluminum]

So last month I had my second laparoscopy with incision of mirena coil.

I know it’s too early to know how well both of these have worked, but I have had some quite severe back pain and it hasn’t come along with a period as it normally would.

I’m just curious if anyone else has had treatment for Endo and still experienced back pain while not on a bleed. I can feel quite bad pain in my lower back when I strain it or stretch which just seems like it could be something else contributing to the pain.

Anything anyone can say would be great help. Is it normal to feel this pain all the time rather than just when bleeding or not?

[Zala88]

Aww GP. Maybe the coil not agreeing with you. Could be misplaced?

[AnnieMac123]

Back pain was my only issue with Endo. My surgeon came to me after my lap and explained the my tubes, ovaries and bowel were all fused together and stuck to my spine...he couldn't get over that back pain was my only issue as he hadn't seen anything so bad! I have had 2laps and he's planned another now in dec..just 6mts after my last one. I was taking clomid so this seems to have bright Endo back quicker than expected but MRI shows my ovaries r back together again! Is it possible it's same for you??

[luthien]

Hey, yes I have and so have quite a few other ladies.

Back pain is actually common for women and even more so for us endo sufferers.

Unfortuantely GPs either won't look into it or just say you need more painkillers so that may be a start but not my suggested route.

Found the best route is to go to a physiotherapist, I found one whom specialises in movement, mobility, post surgical recovery, and long term treatment.

After being there for 5 mins they worked out it's relateed to endo inflammation, laparoscopy for lying still in a weird flat position, general period issues. They actually see it a lot in women including post pregnancy. It's where the core muscles are weak; in our case from the endo bloating , periods, and the laparoscopies physically cutting those muscles. It means the other muscles have to compensate which is the back. This becomes inflamed, putting pressure on the nerves which can cause back pain, sciatic like pain, leg pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, foot pain just due to the area on the lower back that has to do more work.

It can be worse during long periods of not moving around, so waking up, office work, long drives, cinema trips etc. It requires physio to loosen the back and core strengthening exercises. I do yoga for the core and core specific classes. The physio has given me some at home exercises too.

I've been going for about 10 months (3 months were fornightly and onwards just once a month) and it's easing up, definitely noticing less aching and more abs engagement. I know it'll take some time as I've had back problems for years - I just thought it was me being weird - achey after sitting for long periods, or waking in the morning.

If it's a long term problem it needs manual manipulation which physio's are able to do as they work on the spine and surrounding muscles, it's just slightly more pressure than simple massaging. It doesn't hurt and they do talk through with you and you can tell them to stop.

Definitely start with the physio, what can go wrong? Plus it's kind of relaxing to have just 121 attention lol!

The pain is not normal so it shouldn't just be covered by painkillers so you're right not to ignore it, there are ways to help you get a normal pain free back.

Look into yoga stretches too

I've joined my polefitness group, sounds weird and something women with period issues can't do but there's so much info out there about the positive environment and learning how to use our muscles that it can actually help the pain! Just search endometriosis and pole dancing / pole fitness, there's articles out there.

I've found any core exercises help and can strengthen the surrounding muscles, but look into specific classes and have a chat with the instructor as they'll teach you how to do it properly without causing more muscle strain because at first your body will cheat before it re-learns what your core is!

It's weird but you'll realise like me that all our muscles work together so tightness and aches means that muscle is working too hard and there's a weak muscle somewhere causing it.

Hope some of that helps xx

[Deluminum in reply to luthien]

This is brilliant thank you, it sounds like what you’ve said is exactly what’s wrong with me so I’ll definitely give all of this a try x

[Lyns88 in reply to luthien]

Hey! Farahziya

I'm so glad I came across your post. I am 9 weeks post op, really going through a tough recovery. MY LOWER BACK pain being a major one. it's almost as if my back isn't supporting my body at times. I've been back to the hospital , my surgeon and to my GP. Who are saying it's more than likely due to a lengthy operation and my body lying so flat during it.

I really needed ur post, I felt like I was going crazy, it's been hell. It's good to hear Ur experience, so thanks for sharing it. This week I have actually just started physio, she sent me away with exercises to do. I'm prepared to try anything that will help with recovery.

How is your back now?

[luthien in reply to Lyns88]

My back is soooo much better!

It's not perfect, obviously because my work involves sitting and our backs aren't designed for that, combined with having back issues for so long; my posture and muscles are going to take some time to adapt.

I'm now on a physio session every two months for maintenance, three times a week strengthening and flexibility plan (takes about 10 mins). I still do my pole fitness, handstands and gym rings classes which are actually taught by my physio!

I hope your physio helps, and that your recovery is going well other than your back xx

[Crispy69]

Thank you for this informative response. I’ve got more out of your post than the last 7 GP and gynae appointments put together. This is exactly what I’ve been going through. It’s been hell thinking that there’s something very wrong with me to cause so much pain. Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏🏽

[Malahide36]

Hi , I had back pain before my lap. It got worse after my lap in the recovery time.

The surgeon and Gp thought the back pain was all related to endometriosis .

I felt it was mechanical pain and asked for mri spine as it was so bad I couldn't get out of my seat at times. I paid for the mri spine privately as the Gp said I didn't need it.

Turns out, I had slipped discs in my spine.

Physio helped and getting back to core exercises to strengthen the muscles etc.