Scared and pained

[Somegirl000]

Hi I'm 18 and I've been experiencing pain in my lower back and hip all the way down to my ankles the pain usually occurs on the right side and seems to be an everyday thing. Due to not having insurance I haven't been to the doctor. I plan on getting that done soon and going but for now I can't go BC I can't pay. I also get tingles in my legs and feet 9 times out of 10 on the right side I just don't know why to think and it scares that I'm o ly 18 and on a scale of 1-10 pain wise it's usually 7-10 I've spent time searching things not trying self diagnose but just trying to ease my mind on what it could be

[drodean]

What it sounds like is sciatica, a condition where usually a lower disc in your spine is herniated or ruptured causing it to hit that nerve and causes extreme pain and pain shooting down the right back of the leg usually. Get to a Dr asap as I know the pain is intense as I had it for a long time til I had surgery finally. It started with me when I was 15

[Coastwalker]

Lower back and hips and leg pains can be down to vitamin D deficiency, mine were and all went almost overnight once on a safe high dose of vitamin D3.

Tinglings might/can be down to low/deficient vitamin D, or vitamin B12 Deficiency.

Both vitamin deficiency's can go hand in hand.

[Hidden]

Hi - I think it sounds like Sciatica too (Coastwalker has a very good point but as yours is one-sided that makes me lean towards sciatica). Have a look on the internet and see if you think the symptoms match. It is definitely a good idea to go to your doctor - especially the first time something occurs and backs can be tricky things. When I went to the doctor he diagnosed sciatica and referred me for a course of physiotherapy and prescribed painkillers. I gradually got better. I was advised to lie in whatever position I found comfortable, which for me was lying on my side. Don't follow old fashioned advice about sleeping on floors, boards or lying on your back. It's about what works best for you - which may take a little bit of time to find. A lot of sciatica will ease on its own but you may be prone to it happening again. If you get it a lot then again always go to the doctor. A friend of mine is prone to it, as is my husband and a sister. I've known quite a few people with it. I get it a lot but have a hidden form of Spina Bifida so it was, apparently, inevitable along with other back problems. A lot of people just take painkillers and take the first day or so carefully and then gradually get back on with life. The people I know have all had physio at various times, or seen osteopaths but there didn't seem to be much difference in healing rates. I found I got better just as quickly on my own by following doctors/physios advise re exercises. As people have said above it is where a nerve is being pressed, pinched/trapped. Discs can herniated/ruptured but usually heal in time. The nerve can be bruised and that can cause pain for a while. Sometimes the cause is minor, although the pain won't necessarily feel that way. Sometimes more treatment may be necessary. If the cause is more serious you may need an operation but of the handful of people I know with it, they haven't. People vary though. Unfortunately sciatica is a very common condition. See a doctor as soon as you can and take it from there. Try not to worry, being tense often leads to tightened muscles which will probably not help. I find I just end up with more things hurting which isn't fun! Take care of yourself, don't stop doing things, just stop doing the things that make the pain worse, and see a doctor. Best of luck.

[Glosgran]

It sounds like exactly the same symptoms I had with an acute attack of sciatica. I was in severe pain and unable to straighten up to walk around. I had to crawl or shuffle hunched over to even get to the toilet and then it was very painful sitting there. My pain lasted a long time and became chronic which left me with Fibromyalgia. My mistake was to rest too much and not keep moving enough. Sitting will probably be extremely painful so don't sit for long periods. Advice is to change positions every 20 mins, so get up and walk around frequently. I found the most comfortable position was to sit on a gym ball and keep moving/gyrating as it takes the pressure off and stops the muscles stiffening up and going into spasm. Also try lying on the floor with your lower legs resting on the seat of an armchair or sofa. The aim is to have your back at 90 degrees to your thighs and your thighs at 90 degrees to your lower legs so that you are in a Z-shape. Use relaxation deep breathing to help relax the tension. I found that the best relief came from using a heat pad and to use a warming muscle rub on my lower back and thighs where the muscles had gone into spasm and were extremely painful. A massage oil called woodlock oil is very good. My doctor gave me a cocktail of pain killers as well as Amitriptylene to help me to get some sleep but there were times when nothing touched the pain. I remember it being more intense than contractions in childbirth. Try baths with a cupful of Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) and soak for as long as you can. I bought an infra red heat lamp which helps. Whatever you do, do not stop moving about and try not to tense your muscles or walk in a hunched position with tensed shoulders as this will make it worse. Walking is the best thing you can do to help ease up the muscles. Do everything you can to relax, including listening to guided relaxation audio. Try not to let the pain last longer than 3 months or it will become chronic pain and then it will be very difficult to get rid of completely. Search on Youtube and you will find physiotherapists giving advice on gentle stretching exercises that will help relieve it.

[megsplace]

you are very young to have pain like this but when it goes down your leg and it tingles can mean sciatica which rest is the best thing ,do you work and do you lift heavy stuff at work ?the tingling usually means a nerve trapped.so you need to go to docs or go to pharmacy and get pain relief and see if that helps.

[johnsmith]

Speak to your parents. They should be able to help. They have life knowledge of the system which we here on the forum cannot give you.

[Dawn_2105]

Hi I presume you are in the USA? It sounds to me like a trapped nerve in your back that's what is causing the tingling. I have had it in the past. A massage might work if you go to a chiropractor. Hot and cold compresses are good. Put a hot water bottle on the painful area of your back for say 30 mins then something frozen (maybe something out of your freezer) for 30 mins. Keep repeating this you will be amazed how well this works. My back pain started when I was 16. If you have anymore questions or just want a chat I am here. Good luck

[Somegirl000]

Thank you all for your advice. I did recently get to go see a doctor. As many of you said, that did prediagnose me with sciatica, but I'm going to a neurologist to get a better diagnosis and going back to my doctor for a full physical. Once again thank you all for your help and advice.