coccyx

[lozzy72]

Help. Had a fairly straight forward delivery apart from 2nd degree tear but then 3 weeks later lifted the baby bath and tore ligaments near coccyx. Unable to sit down without excrutiating pain for a year and although it has improved, still suffering 2 and a half years later. Seen Chiropractor who was great and straightened me up but still struggling sitting on hard chairs. Doctor suggested Amitriptolene (Sp?) which is an anti depressant as well. Not keen on that (not depressed!) No one seems to know exactly what it is and get feeling doc thinks its in my head. Would like to try for another baby but don't feel fit enough to push.
Just seen phisio at NHS hospital who was complete waste of space!
Any one had the same thing or any ideas to get rid of the pain once and for all?

Sorry the physio was no good.

re amytriptiline (again sp?), the dose the give for chronic pain is tiny, it is a fraction of the dose they use as an antidepressant. It is effective for chronic pain management.

Have you ever had your coccyx x-rayed?

btw I treated several patients with coccydynia. I used laser which was very effective. Some physios mobilise it too (I was never brave enough as it is a PR technique)......how about a referral to see a specialist womens health/musculoskeletal physio (would be found at a large city teaching hospital) they might have some ideas.

No idea how to solve the pain problem . I had coccyx pain after giving birth but it just disappeared overnight one night. (HV said it had probably flipped out of place and I'm guessing it flipped back in that night) Just wanted to say you have my sympathies, I know how hard it is and I know what it was like getting fobbed off by doctors too .

I had this for six months after giving birth. I couldn't sit comfortably at all. I was under a specialist women's health physio - she used ultrasound which relieved it temporarily but it always came back. She also tried to manipulate it but that was agony! The only thing that helped was when the Rheumatologist (I was already referred as I have an arthritic condition) injected it with cortisone [ouch emoticon]! It really hurt when the needle went in but after a few days it was so much better. I have to say that it has never been 100% right though and doctor says that it could re-occur in another pregnancy as bones get soft again. Swimming helps too. HTH

You are unlikely to be accepted for xray of your coccyx unless it was a consultant referral and even then it would need to be discussed with a radiologist as to how the results would affect your management.

The reasons behind this are

1. Xraying your coccyx involves a relatively high dose of radiation passing through your pelvis i.e. ovaries, which you may not have finished using yet and ovaries are one of the more radiosensitive areas.
2. Unless they are actually going to physically manipulate it in some way, then it is purely an academic matter as to whether or not it is in the right place, so they may as well assume it isn't and treat you with drugs anyway.
3. At this stage after the injury they are unlikely (and you probably wouldn't let them) stick a finger up your bum to wiggle it back in place as your coccyx is probably quite happy in its current position, even if you aren't.
4. If you were to go ahead with another pregnancy, then the hormones would kick in and allow the ligaments to relax and hopefully let it swing out of the way into a different position from now.

I really feel for you, 'specially after this long. I know it's a bit of a shot in the dark, but I had it for months and months (never can sit on the bike at the gym, and the instructor said "oh you'll be fine by now..." I wasn't). Being pg. fixed it. I was expecting absolutely agony but as Vole said, the stretching etc. actually made it better.

good luck!

Thank you to you all for your messages. It really has helped knowing I'm not the only one who has had it.

Have no idea about this condition, but have you tried an osteopath? They can manipulate joints etc. Just a thought