How can you tell if you've broken your coccyx?

[monkeybumsmum]

I fell down our wooden stairs about 2 hours ago, from just below halfway. I am in agony and am struggling to walk.

Is it likely that I've just bruised my coccyx do you think? I'm not prepared to have an x-ray as we are undergoing fertility treatment at the mo, so I suppose I'll just have to see how I am tomorrow...

Any tips on how I deal with it? Am also feeling v sick

Anyone?

have you got a bag of frozen peas you can sit on?

bloody agony. A&E wouldn't x ray as there isn't any treament anyway - at least they wouldn't do mine (fell over, in public)

ice pack, anti-inflammatories (but not sure about if you are having treatment) and don't sit - either stand or lie. or if you have to sit perch on a corner on one cheek.

Because it hurts massively. I did mine aged about 14y and it was agony for days. A&E don't xray, or did't then anyway. It is now some 20+ years on and if I sit on wooden benches, etc for too long it still aches. Was told that the bone never really heals fully due to where it is.

Oh you have my every sympathy. I fell down the stairs in January top to bottom, steep steps. It is shockingly painful. I couldn't stand, sit or walk comfortably. I rang the doctors and got an appointment 1/2 hour late (my doctors are ace!). Anyway the doc, asked me questions and looked at my lower back. She said it was likely that it was just bruised and gave me codeine for the pain. She said that they can't do much if it had been broken.

I know you won't want to hear this but it took a few weeks for me to be able to sit in comfort and even now, although it is 98% better, when I get on and off my chair at work (and certain other ones) it causes me pain.

Anyway, after that essay, I would suggest going to doctors to get them to look at it and to get some decent pain relief. Also, get a cushion, a wedge shape worked for me to sit on.

Incredibly painful, you can't get comfortable - certainly can't sit down. My GP gave me anti-inflammatories and very strong painkillers. It just has to heal on its own - takes 6/8 weeks (or longer), you will need painkillers to get through this.
Hope you feel better soon.

What madasasnakenana said. I did mine 10 years ago in Turkey and ended up overnight in a Turkish hospital. Awful.

Thanks all It is still excrutiatingly painful. I hardly slept last night as it was hurting in every position, and it was agony to move! Am off to the doctors in an hour, so will see what she says.

Thanks for all your replies, and I'm sorry to all of you that have had this happen, my goodness it hurts!

Hi monkey
So sorry to hear about this.
Not fun.
I really hope you're back on your feet soon.
Otherwise, I might have to come over and cheer you up! xx

Hope the GP has given you some mds to help with the pain and any swelling.

I did the same thing and fainted so DH called an ambulance ! They siad 'it might be broken or just badly bruised but the treatment is the same' - basically time and painkiller - anti inflams. Have back probs anyway and this hasn't helped - flares up from time to time but nothing really lasting - a few weeks of extreme discomfort - sorry you have done this!

i had to sit on a rubber ring in work, and sleep on the floor, as my bed was too soft. my collegues thought it all hysterical!

I was advised to just keep a check out for blood when visiting the toilet. I did have something like deep heat to rub on my back - courtesy of house mates, as well as pain killers (Ive never liked taking too many anti inflammatories)