Backside hurts when I sit down! Ouch.

[thaneofglamour]

So, this is an embarrassing one, really, but also really aggravating and quite debilitating.

This started maybe back in early July but has largely been fine when not at work (teacher) , except for on longer car journeys which aren't fun or anything that requires staying seated in a seat that means all my weight goes onto my bottom (cinema, theatre - nice things ...).

It's not lower back pain and not classic sciatica.

I sit down on a hard ish chair (I even have a postural cushion thing at work) and after 10 minutes or so my buttocks start aching and throbbing, mainly around the lower buttocks and I guess the tailbone-but it's in in the buttocks iyswim. Standing up from that position hurts a lot. The area is painful but numb, if that makes sense.

Walking is fine, bending is fine.

I have had back pain in the past and neck and shoulder pain - this is very different.

Should I go to GP? Osteopath? Physio?

Anyone had anything like this before and know what it is or whether it will improve? Has anyone got some potential names for it so if I visit my (not terribly clued up) GP I might have a few ideas?

I might have missed key info so let me know if you have any questions!

Look up pilonidal cyst (not sure I’ve spelled that correctly!). I had one caused by sitting on long car journeys and uncomfortable chairs too often (but it’s also predisposed by genetics I think).

It’s effectively a lump that can grow, break through the skin and become infected. I ended up having surgery to remove mine, it was right at the bottom of my spine, within the cleft of my bum cheeks. But the pain hurt lower than that (or I possibly had other cysts lower down)!

Hope it’s sorted soon, if that is indeed what it is!

I don't have a discernible lump and the pain is symmetrical but I will definitely look that up. Thanks !

Sounds like piriformis syndrome, I've had it and its hell, kind of like a pinched nerve deep in bum cheek, I ended up not being able to sit at all

Coccydynia? Try a coccyx cushion. It is a U shaped cushion that takes all the pressure off your coccyx. Google it and see if it might be that. The cushion might be worth a try.

I had something similar and went to see a women's physio. Turned out to be a hypertonic pelvic floor which was causing nerve type pain. I was given some exercises to relax my pelvic floor which have helped a lot and I can now sit for longer. I also see an osteopath regularly and that helps to relax it too.

I have one at work. Doesn't help at all - in fact I'd say -at the moment- it's doing the opposite!

I have come across coccydynia and piriformis syndrome on my searches and neither quite fit the symptom's. I think piriformis is more likely.

I haven't come across specialist women's physios but will have a look!

Any update ? I have the exact symptoms

Oh, you have my sympathies!

It went away of its own accord, thankfully.