Lower Back Pain

[emmie]

for more than a month i have had lower back, base of spine pain, sitting on a chair or lying down is also painful. whilst sitting it's like something pressing on the coccyx, very uncomfortable, the muscles in buttocks are painful, and legs ache like crazy, including my feet, especially the tops which give me shooting pains, so walking has now become difficult. Apart from possible sciatica, any other explanation. I have been given some pain meds but can't say they have helped at all.

[emmie]

had blood tests couple weeks back, then was told two parts, liver and kidney were tainted, i have no idea what that means, the doctor said that sometimes happens, so had to do that one again, results later on today i hope.. so any ideas, thoughts from our resident medic or others might help...

[WELSHYORKIE]

Em - co-codamol (30/500) work for me when I take 2 at a time but do go a little light headed!!

[janbee]

I have this too Em. I've been told it's sciatica and I certainly have arthritis in the lower back and hips. Have tried various painkillers, 4 months of physio and the only thing that slightly helps is exercise so I walk every day and I'm at the gym every day. A friend also has the same problem and has recently started a course of acupuncture which she says is helping a lot so I might give that a go. The pain is soooooo bad, especially first thing in the morning, that I'm really willing to try almost anything. I wish you well with your pains and hope that you feel better VERY soon. xx

[sandyRoe]

The resident Quack is probably having a lie in, Em10. That sounds like sciatica but others, beter qualified than me, will probably be along soon.

[emmie]

i don't sleep all that well these days, probably not since the o/h passed away, but that as they say is another story. Have taken one of these pain killers, some upset the stomach so that's why i am a bit wary of taking them.

[sara3]

I'd opt for the upset stomach over back pain.. take the tablets if they help.

[emmie]

strangely they haven't, that is what's odd, the pain is sometime debilitating, so get up in the night and take one, go back to bed, try and sleep some more, but the pain is still there. Bending, stretching, anything aggravates it.
not to mention the feet problem, walking along suddenly stop for the shooting pains, either underfoot, like burning sensation, then on top of feet, pulling sensation. I thought that might be changing of winter type shoes to sandals, flatter to the ground, but no idea.

[Sqad]

sandy...naah! I NEVER have a lie in........breakfast at the harbour though.;-)

em
"Apart from possible sciatica, any other explanation."

Many causes.....bad posture.....overweight ....age related degenerative disc disaease......to name but a few.

[emmie]

ok.

[Eve]

I've found walking a bit funny, as you can you apto to do when in pain, can compound onto the problem. One thing which was a bit of a revelation was when I got my walking stick and could walk better and straighter. I tend to shuffle more without it and stoop a bit I guess as when I have my stick I feel a lot straighter and more relaxed generally posture wise.