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Original poster

Please help, lower back pain. WTF is that?

33 replies

Jen165555 · 22/11/2023 17:27

Three nights ago (just before my overdue period started) I was laid in bed when I developed sharp shooting pains that started just above my left buttock and spread down my left thigh. 4/10 for pain.

When my period started some hours later I figured "meh" it was probably some PMS thing, however the pain has got increasingly worse since then.

It's no longer shooting off down my leg but has morphed into a constant burning pain all across the bottom of my back. Sitting at the dining table is incredibly painful.

I haven't done any vigorous workouts or anything that I can attribute it to. What on earth has happened to it? It can't be period related as I've never had anything like it before.

Help! :-(

OP posts:
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OnlyOpenMouthToChangeFeet · 25/11/2023 01:30

Jen165555 · 24/11/2023 12:23

Interesting you mention endo, I'm having a well woman ultrasound tomorrow to check for endo/fibroids as I've had problems with very painful periods and my GP isn't interested. I have wondered whether endo is possible.

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Do yo. Have bowel issues just before, or in the first few days of your period? Any nausea/sickness/fainting? Literally doubled over with cramps? Or, the most delightful one, feelings like someone's shoving the sword of doom vs your backside, usually when moving your bowels?

If so, it's probably endo. It can grow and migrate anywhere within your body, and I have a mass around my sciatic nerve that is too dangerous to remove.

Hope you get it sorted!

Original poster
Jen165555 · 24/11/2023 12:23

OnlyOpenMouthToChangeFeet · 24/11/2023 10:42

Any burning pain is neuropathic. I have severe endo and have this frequently. As a PP said, if you sit a lot it could also be piriformis syndrome, have a look online as there are a few stretches that can help this. A deep tissue massage is sore, but works wonder for PS. (Retired sports therapist).

Interesting you mention endo, I'm having a well woman ultrasound tomorrow to check for endo/fibroids as I've had problems with very painful periods and my GP isn't interested. I have wondered whether endo is possible.

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Original poster
Jen165555 · 24/11/2023 12:20

Thank you all

I'm just on my lunch break having a look at the bob & brad exercises on YouTube.

As luck would have it I do have one of those spiky mats you mentioned PP. Littlest DS will be home from nursery soon, if he goes down for a nap ill have a quick 15-20 minutes on that.

I think a wait for physio on the NHS will take months at the very least so I might see about an osteopath if they're any help? Cheaper than private physio from what I can see.

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Caerulea · 24/11/2023 10:44

Really need to see a physio, OP. They'll be able to give you the right exercises. Plates & yoga do opposite things in terms of helping & it could be one or the other that helps (or in my case makes it worse, I had extra mobility so yoga was an absolute no).

And if you're wondering how you did it? I once did mine, so bad I could barely walk, by sneezing whilst looking at a slightly funny angle. Sometimes I sleep oddly & that sets it off. And yes, certain movements don't hurt at all & others make you want to claw your eyes out if it's really bad - so just be conscious of how you bend & twist cos you don't want to make it worse.

Can honestly say it can have brief moments where it's worst than childbirth & I say that as a mum of 3 who's also got big tattoos on really painful places.

OnlyOpenMouthToChangeFeet · 24/11/2023 10:42

Any burning pain is neuropathic. I have severe endo and have this frequently. As a PP said, if you sit a lot it could also be piriformis syndrome, have a look online as there are a few stretches that can help this. A deep tissue massage is sore, but works wonder for PS. (Retired sports therapist).

Celticliving · 24/11/2023 10:40

Agreed with all PP; sciatica.

The thing that helps me is a 'bed of nails' mat. Check it out!

Turbulent1 · 24/11/2023 10:36

If you get any morning stiffness look at ankylosing spondylitis

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 24/11/2023 10:25

Pilates and yoga exercises for lower back pain- lots on you tube- will be a big help. Or nhs website ones. You need to do them twice a day they're boring but work!
Try to do Pilates and or yoga regularly and definitley take desk breaks

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 24/11/2023 10:23

You need a Physio it's sciatica

Original poster
Jen165555 · 24/11/2023 10:23

Thanks all, I've been doing the stretches and trying to keep as active as I can. I did mention it to the GP but only in passing and as it was already a long-ish appointment I was conscious of the time.

Do any of you have tender areas which hurt when pressed? I probably shouldn't be pressing on the tender areas but wanted to make sure I'm targeting the right bits with the deep heat cream and TENS machine

There are two areas which are very sore upon touch, one is the very bottom of my back in the middle and the other is the top of my bum towards the side.

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WinchSparkle80 · 23/11/2023 08:33

Definitely sounds like Sciatica and listen to all the advice about moving and stretching. I didn’t and just had MRI as in so much back pain am thoroughly miserable.
Don’t be me.

kalokagathos · 23/11/2023 08:28

It's sciatica. Comes unannounced so can coincide with anything. I got it from too much sitting and being in mid-30s. It only goes after exercise/ Pilates and during weekends when I don't get a chance to sit down. They do say, sitting is worse than smoking. It's hard to escape it in an office job and all the meetings you need to sit in and endure. A sacrifice we make for a salary. Stretch and exercise, avoid sitting.

NewtonPulsifer · 23/11/2023 01:15

Have a look at Bob and Brad physio on YouTube for sciatica. NHS physio is weeks of waiting, about 12-16 weeks here. Bob and Brad have some really good exercises to try and I always get relief from them for my back woes.

Caerulea · 23/11/2023 00:53

Concur with everyone on this. It's not uncommon in mothers.

For right now - lay on the floor on your stomach, palms on the ground at your shoulders & carefully push your upper body upwards. Slowly! SLOWLY!

Do that a few times

Then get on hands & knees & arch your back before letting it going into a sink position. Repeat that a few times.

Don't lay on your back! Avoid sitting on anything soft (you're just crushing the nerve/sac)

These might help alleviate it a little.

Sleep on your side with a pillow or cushion between your knees or just under whichever knee is on top.

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 23/11/2023 00:31

i use to get shooting pains down my legs with my periods (no endo though) and i gather it's not at all unusual. painful enough to buckle my knees....monthly always the first 2-3 days.

Original poster
Jen165555 · 23/11/2023 00:13

I'm already on 50mg of Nortryptiline and have been for a while, for my migraines. Also not able to take NSAID's due to long term gastritis 😔

Thanks for the suggestion RE piriformis I'll look it up now.

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RosesAndHellebores · 23/11/2023 00:08

Amitryptilline and anti-inflammatories help.

RandomMess · 23/11/2023 00:05

Look into piriformis too, that can upset the sciatic nerve without it being true sciatica which gives 10/10 pain!

Original poster
Jen165555 · 23/11/2023 00:00

I think you're all right, sciatica.

I put some deep heat on the painful area and DH helped me to do some gentle stretching exercises. I got into bed and have a weird numb yet tingling feeling develop going down my left leg (the side that I have the lower back pain)

My buttocks really hurts too 😵‍💫

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Original poster
Jen165555 · 22/11/2023 21:05

Excessive sitting could apply to me too, I also WFH and don't get as much exercise as I should although I have made more of an effort to get my steps in these past couple of weeks.

If this is what mild feels like then I certainly don't want severe, it really hurts 😬

I've been doing alot of bending today (2yo DS) and don't think that has helped matters. I'm ok bending down if I bend my knees and go forward but if I lean side to side or twist - OUCH!

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boomtickhouse · 22/11/2023 20:43

Certainly sounds like sciatica. See it as a warning if it's mild! Up your stretching / yoga / exercise regime because believe me you do NOT want it to get worse

izzyb6488 · 22/11/2023 20:42

I have just this week been to an osteopath as have been suffering with similar pains for a while (pain across both hips but more on one side than other and no pain in legs) but am post menopause (medical hysterectomy) so not linked to PMS etc. My osteopath has advised that I have sciatic nerve issues (too tight - possibly brought in by excessive sitting - during pandemic and wfh) and prescribed simple stretches every couple of hours. Seems to be working but still taking paracetamol as sitting/walking/standing remaining an issue for now. Hope GP can help; or at least recommend physio

Original poster
Jen165555 · 22/11/2023 20:34

Fionaville · 22/11/2023 18:48

Funnily enough, my sciatica always seemed to be around the time I was due to start my period. I had it for a few years consistently, but it seems to be better now. Hope you get sorted.

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That's interesting, the link to periods. I suffer from migraines and they are definitely worse in the lead up / on periods too. I'm sure I read somewhere that periods tend to flare up chronic conditions.

Thinking back, I remember having some lower back pain after having DD 3 years ago. I wonder if it's the same thing.

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Fionaville · 22/11/2023 18:48

Jen165555 · 22/11/2023 17:52

I've just looked it up and you all may be right. I think I was too quick to rule it out when DM suggested it as I was focusing on the fact that it's not shooting down my legs now rather than the fact it had done 3 days ago.

As luck would have it I have a GP appointment tomorrow to review some blood tests I had so I'm going to mention it to him.

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Funnily enough, my sciatica always seemed to be around the time I was due to start my period. I had it for a few years consistently, but it seems to be better now. Hope you get sorted.

CaineRaine · 22/11/2023 18:11

Jen165555 · 22/11/2023 17:49

It's blooming painful isn't it?! That's a good idea, I'll dig out my hot water bottle now. How long did it happen to last? Please say days and not weeks 😐

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Yes lasted less than a day thankfully, hope yours goes soon too 🙂