HELP! i have really bad lower back/leg pain- what is it????

Question

Since june, I've been having on and off lower back pain/ leg/butt pain. I'm not athletic or anything. I recently gained weight due to stress. I'm 5'8 180 lbs. I've always been around 150lbs. Anyway, I went to my doctor & all she said was to take two aspirins a day & use a a heating pad to sit down for now. I did take the aspirin once a day. It does seem to help somewhat, but recently it has gotten worse. To the point where the pain feels like it's pulsating down my lower back, legs, and butt the most. It hurts 2 walk sometimes and I can't stand for very long, because I feel like the piercing pain will make me lose my balance. The pain even seems to worsen when I take a shower with hot water. Oddly not so much when I sit. Now I take 800mg of ibuprofen 1 a day- I really am the type of person who doesnt like to take medication because I've never needed to rely on any until now. I'm 18, recent blood tests show i'm perfectly healthy. What's wrong w me? Wat should I do? I'm really worried =(

I would like to clear the fact that I am not obese!!!! Alittle over weight, but in no way look like it and am COMPLETELY healthy. I gained wait because of stress or what many might call "the freshman 15" but i've always been a not big, but heavy girl. I've been a Vegetarian for over 4 yrs now, so I would appreciate it if people wouldn't jump to conclusions, especially if you're not an expert and are not familiar with my habits. The only way I think I might have hurt my back was doing warm up stretches during my summer job. I must have turned to fast or something... but I already went for xrays and am now waiting for results so thanks for everyones input!

Answer 1

Talk to a different doctor about what you are experiencing and do it SOON!

Answer 2

It sounds like sciatica, an inflammation of the Sciatic nerve which runs down your lower spine and legs. There can be several causes--one of which is a herniated disk. Disks are the cushions between the bones of your spine and sometimes get squished out so that they irritate the nerve. The first thing you should do is find a orthopedic specialist who will take xrays of your spine to determine what needs to be done to fix it. The most common treatments are physical therapy and pain killers. If that doesn't work, surgery is the next on the list. Do a google search on: sciatica; spine; herniated disk; and any other thing in this note you need to know more about. Your blood tests won't show any problems with your spine. Also, ease up on the Ibuprofin. In large doses it can cause problems with your digestive system. The doctor will prescribe medication you can take for the short term.

Answer 3

Darling, disregard all the answers you read so far. Do not put heat on your lumbar whatever you do. Hot showers is a no-no also. Ice is OK. My wife had this problem. You got herniated disk in your lumber which causing inflammation that pinches the nerve causing the pain you have. Go to a good chiropractor he may be able to stretch you so the liquid from the disk will not leak, because the disk is out of alignment. He can tell you how extensive the damage is and after you will have to take it easy for a while to let it heal. This is the best option you got. Be careful if they try to sell you the surgery, they will tell you its a 96% success rate but in real life %age closer to 10 long term. Doing careful stretching exercises may help but do not push it. If you need more info, email me.

Answer 4

I experience the same and found that I have a pinched sciatic nerve in my back. Pain in the lower part of my back, on into my hip, leg and ankle. The series of three injections helped for about six to eight weeks. Now, the only thing left is surgery and because of other health conditions have ruled out giving that a try.
I take a prescribed pain medication and Extra Strength Tylenol four times a day. Walking and standing extremely painful.

Answer 5

I don't have a desk job, I'm a nurse and actually move around quite a bit at work but I've still been suffering from lower back (actually upper buttock) pain for the last several weeks. It's really irritating and I would think it was sciatic pain but I don't have any shooting pain down my legs. So I don't know what's going on but I definitely commiserate with you because it's horrible to be hurting and pregnant! Hope you feel better!

Answer 6

ok...i would go back to your doctor and describe exactly what you are telling us. this is definitely not a thing that will go away. if the ibuprofen is not helping that is an indication that it is not an 'inflammatory' condition. that is, you did not pull a muscle or something like that. s/he will probably refer you to a physical therapist.

a few questions:
- you said you recently gained weight, are you sure its because of stress?
- are you having trouble sleeping (not due to stress)?
- have you had unexplained night sweats?
- have you had unstoppable night pain?
- have you had a fever, used IV drugs, had bowel/bladder problems?
- do you have a history of cancer?
-- if yes, to any of the above, it could be a more serious condition.

it does not sound like a posterior disc bulge/ sciatica because you feel better in sitting and worse in standing.

did you fall recently?
have you recently lifted anything heavy?
-- these could all be impacting your pain.

try something...
stand up straight with your arms at your side.
1. bend backwards several times. does it increase your leg pain?
- if so, go to #2
- if not:
-- does it feel as if the pain in your leg is getting better?
-- does it feel as if you are stiff and the more you do it the better you feel?
----- no? - you may need to do it more times, repeat 1 set more then move on to #2.
----- yes? - congratulation, your symptoms correspond with a posterior disc bulge/ facet downglide restriction @ lumbar vertebra 5 - sacral vertebra 1

2. wait about 10 minutes. bend forward several times, does it increase your leg pain?
- if so, go to #3
- if not,
-- does it feel as if the pain in your back is getting better?
-- does it feel as if you are stiff and the more you do it the better you feel?
----- no? - you may need to do it more times, repeat 1 set more then move to #3
----- yes? - congratulation, your symptoms correspond with an anterior disc bulge/ facet upglide restriction @ lumbar vertebra 5-sacral vertebra 1/spondylolisthesis.

3. you may have an SI (sacroiliac joint) problem
- how low is your back pain?
----- is it just above your butt?
- if it is truly 'low back pain', then it probably is not an SI problem.
- if it isn't, then there's a possibility that it is an SI problem

in any event, without actually being there this is the best that i can do. it is essentially a shortened version of the evaluation a physical therapist would give you.

i wish i could be more help... best of luck!!

Answer 7

I would suggest going to a chiropractor which has the word "health" in its title. You may have a pinched nerve or an accute lower lumbar strain which can be caused from lifting something incorrectly or twisting wrong. It is very painful. A chiro can loosen up this area and get to the root of the problem. Temporary try alleve for the pain it is wonderful. Good luck. Stay well.

Answer 8

Have you done some activity or lifted a heavy object that may have caused a slipped disk, etc? Check the link below to try some remedies that might help. If you don't improve in a few days, you need to get a second opinion from another doctor.

Answer 9

it sounds like sciatica to me
not sure how to spell it but it is pronounced sy-atica

(pinched nerve in lower back)

go to a chiropractor or at least another doctor
taking aspirin evey day and ignoring it is not a cure.
a chiropractor can feel your spine and tell you the problem
they should also take xrays and show it to you.

best of luck to you

Answer 10

Hi,
I suggest you that, you must compulsarily reduce your weight. Obesity is the cause of all the problems. Do regular exercises every day. Exercising helps you to get your balance physically. Do asanas because asanas has a good power to reduce any kind of ailments. Diating also helps you to get rid of all the troubles. Just visit the below given link to know something about yoga and the benefits of practising yoga and asanas.

http://www.yoga-for-health.biz/exercise.html
http://www.healthylivingforeveryone.us/p.fitness.html

Answer 11

Hi,you are border line obese and that's the reality.your body is telling you that with the pain.Aspirin and pain pills are not the answer.you are only treating symptoms-you need to loose weight and get on a healthy lifestyle.You may find help at this web site 4fatloss.info