Looking for the cause of my lower back pain...
I'm not sure what's going on and thought maybe someone out there has experienced something similar... My lower back is hurting, kind of a "crampy" pain that radiates when I move. It's come and gone last night and today. I don't have "back problems" currently and haven't done any strenuous exercise. It's not TOM related (that was last week). I'm wondering if it could be related to constipation in some way??? BM's have been fairly regular but I didn't get nearly enough water yesterday. I've been drinking extra today to try and make up for it.
Has anyone has anyone else experienced anything like this???...I'm beginning to wonder if something might be really wrong!!!
Did the back pain come on suddenly, or was it gradually? I've just gotten over back pain that has lasted for about a month and a half. It was not exercise induced, and it wasn't TTOM either. This may not be you, but for me it was my sciatic nerve. It had somehow gotten pinched a bit. The pain started in my back (above my butt) and went down my butt and the back of one of my legs. I get these frequently, so I didn't pay too much attention. This one didn't go away though, and it ended up aggrivating my whole lower back. For me, it didn't go away until my doctor put me on anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers as well as some light stretching.
I have no clue if this applies to you at all, but this is just what I experienced. And the key thing that set it off was that pain down my butt and left leg. Apparently, it's fairly common.
could be related to your kidneys.
Hi Peaches,
I've had problems with my sciatic nerve before (mostly when I was pregnant) but this isn't the same type of pain. This pain is right in the center of my lower back. The pain stated off gradually late last night and got worse while I slept. It's gotten a bit better today but is still very uncomfortable. Thanks for your input and I hope your back is feeling better!
Original Post by janeyrose:
could be related to your kidneys.
I'm thinking not since the pain is dead center of my lower back (maybe 4-5 inches up from my tailbone) but I'm not totally sure the location of the kidneys either...
ah then maybe not the kidneys. pain related to them is generally on either side of your lower back.
You say you haven't had any strenuous exercise, but sometimes it's the non-strenuous stuff that hurts - walking in a museum, for instance, makes my back hurt, as does sitting with poor posture in a chair for too long.
Have you tried any meds like ibuprofen, or icing or heat pad?
Original Post by amethystgirl:
You say you haven't had any strenuous exercise, but sometimes it's the non-strenuous stuff that hurts - walking in a museum, for instance, makes my back hurt, as does sitting with poor posture in a chair for too long.
Have you tried any meds like ibuprofen, or icing or heat pad?
I did hold my daughter yesterday for a while (she's about 35 lbs.) but the pain feels more "internal" if that makes any sense. Almost like an internal pressure pain. I did take some motrin but haven't noticed any improvement. I'll try the heat and/or ice when I get home and see if that helps at all. Thanks!
There are a ton of nerves that can get pinched or agitated that attach to your back and go to your arms and legs. The nerves can get pinched my muscles that are either puffy or tight.
taking the recommended dosage of ibuprofen (or any anti- inflammatory) for 4-6 days could help.
time
light core exercises
ball stretching
lots of long stretches losening your glutes and humstrings, lay on your back and use a towel to stretch each leg one at a time
You may have kidney stones!!! I have had them, friends have had them. They hurt like hell. Some people get nauceas and throw up. Some people actually pass out. It feels a little like labor. (no kidding) You can get them at any age but usually not before about age 30. Some people say it is caused because you don't drink enough water. If they pass, you feel much better the next day--still a little sore, but like you sat funny and then the next day you are fine. If they don't pass you may need medicine to break them up or a procedure that breaks them up so they can pass. If you have a kidney stone, and it doesn't pass, you will continue to be in intense pain. See a doctor. Kidney stones DO NOT feel like sciatica (have had that too! yoga did the trick for that). Sciatica pain travels down the one or both legs. K8dagr8 gave lots of good ideas if it is "just" lower back pain.
I would agree with everyone else and say it sounds like kidney stones, but as you said you don't think its that.
When you say lower back does it feel like your spine? Sort of like a strain feeling, stabbing pains ect? I have had alot of discomfort in the past due 'slouching' believe it or not. I read exercising does helps alot though for any back pain
BTW--kidney stones DO NOT feel like they are your kidneys! It is just extreme discomfort in your lower back... pain can migrate up your back to your waist area.
The pain is most certainly more internal- not like a muscle strain or pull. Maybe I do have kidney stones...I figured it would be the area of my kidneys that hurt but if the pain is in the lower back then that may be the problem. I drank lots of water yesterday and it seemed to help a bit. I'll do the same today and see if there's any improvement.
Thanks everyone for your advice...I really appreciate it!
I know what you mean when you say "internal". I had that happen for a few months (say, last June through November) before having an all-out gallbladder attack. I told my doctor about it after the attack (once it was confirmed that it was the gallbladder) and she said that it was probably related. I kept thinking it was digestive system-related (like constipation, even though I wasn't constipated). I always noted it after eating certain foods, like oatmeal. Does it happen with certain foods? You should definitely talk to your doctor about it, because it could be something like gallbladder, or like other people have suggested, kidney stones (or maybe the appendix?).
