L3-4 and L4-5Disc protrusion, stiff left buttock, pain through left hip.

[Jeeb]

Hello HealthUnlocked Community,

I'm 6ft 2 and I've had back pain on and off for 25 years. Very sporty with football, tennis and golf. Done physio/back stretching twice a week for 10 years. Now 52 had 2 very bad periods of pain due to specific injuries in the last 12 months. Never known pain like it-struggled to even get in and out of bed. It's eased off somewhat in the last 6 months. But if I walk any distance my left buttock stiffens up and my left hip becomes painful. I had an MRI and my hip is fine. What do i have? Some symptoms seem like Sciatica but my pain doesn't go down my leg.

I'm very active but now frightened to exercise the lower back just in case. Everyone recommends swimming. That always give me dull pain almost immediately. My back hates swimming especially front crawl but also breast stoke. Can anyone recommend what action i should take? Should I ignore the pain in the hope it will stop with more swimming?

I've got an appt with my GP next month where I intend to ask him to refer me to a specialist.

If anyone has had a similar experience I'd be grateful to hear what it is i have.

Thanks.

[earthwitch]

Might be worth asking about a lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint xray as sometimes that pain can come from there.

As far as swimming goes, I find (with back problems) that ordinary swimming is pretty much impossible, but that I do benefit from doing stretching exercises in the pool - floating and moving arms and legs, or standing and doing arm and leg circles, etc, plus gentle walking in the pool. It does seem like you aren't doing much, but it all helps with maintaining flexibility.

Also, ask to see a physio to get them to look at more specific exercises that will help but not do any further damage or pain to the problem areas. They can sometimes be very useful in identifying where the source of pain actually is (which may not be where you are feeling it).

[Bevvy]

I also struggle with severe back pain. Having a particularly bad time at the moment. Pain eased loads during the summer so really fed up about it.

However I went 'swimming' on Sunday and found it helpful. Did little in the way of swimming but did some stretching exercises and found they helped. Tried to swim but breaststroke painful. Did some kicking excercises whilst holding the wall. Thought that helped and have bought a float for next time I go.

[stix]

I unfortunately are not able to swim, but was told by instructor in Hydro therapy pool that if i do learn only swim back stroke.

I also would suggest MRI before doing any exercise or not doing exercise because you maybe causing more stress/damage, learn what your problem is first

[Jeeb in reply to stix]

Thank you stix. I had an MRI in May hence I know where the protrusions are and other problems. However I don't know if my issues have a name ie-Sciatica or what I can do safely to help ease the symptoms.

[Boozybird]

Hi Jeeb, I have the same as you. Saw a physio today whose best guess was that muscles in buttock have gone doolally feeding off the back problem and have become super tight, stuck and non responsive. She stuck her elbows in there which made the ole eyes water. I'm seeing my consultant on Tuesday as I'm supposed to be having injections to try to inhibit pain messages at 3/4 and 4/5 but this is a new problem for me so I'll see what he says. You should see a good consultant too. It's awful this bum attack! Can't bear weight blah blah blah .... Best wishes

[Jeeb in reply to Boozybird]

Thanks Boozybird, yours sounds worse than mine atm. At least mine isn't painful until I walk a distance. I agree that I need to see a specialist though. I will request that from my doctors appt in Dec. Good luck.