Lower Back (Sacro Iliac) Pain

[Christine]

I swear, I am F-A-L-L-I-N-G A-P-A-R-T.

On 12/26, I was having a normal day like any other. Decided to give my mom a phone call. I sat down on the couch and, when I did so, I noticed I was very uncomfortable in my left, lower back (right above the butt). I thought I just was sitting wrong and kept trying to adjust myself to no avail. Changed chairs and realized "oh, I've hurt my back."

Very quickly it got sore. I iced it all afternoon and just tried to baby it. Still hurt pretty bad the next day. Used Thermacare Heat wraps and ice with nothing helping. I'm not supposed to take ibuprofen due to stomach issues but I did take some, which helped a bit, but not much (can't take a higher dose).

When I "internet searched" the area it is the sacroiliac area and as I remember back in 2005/2006 I did have a major pain issue in this area that resulted in negative X-rays, MRI, and visits to a chiropractor. Not sure if that helped but it didn't hurt. The only difference then from now is that I used a LOT of ibuprofen and sort of managed to limp through it.

Now, I'm not and I'm really in a lot of discomfort.

I am toying with the idea of going to a chiropractor just because I'm gettin desparate.

I'm fairly close minded about going to a doctor/orthopedist because I think they'll just throw massive NSAIDs at me, which I can't take.

If anyone reading this has had similar pain in the same area, can you tell me what seemed to help you the most? How much time it took to heal? Some things say with back pain to "keep moving" which I've tried. Other things say that a sacroiliac joint strain needs absolute rest.

I know you guys aren't doctors but I know lots of people have back pain and personal experiences with it.

Thanks!

 

[cepmom]

I am on my way to the chiropractor this morning for the same exact thing Christine. I went last week as well which helped some, but I know I always need more than one adjustment when it gets like this. Mine starting acting up a couple weeks before Xmas, I'm sure from sitting in uncomfortable chair for hours on end studying for finals. I tend to sit with one leg underneath my butt or cross legged which is really bad for your back
A lot of SI pain is due to inflammation, so if you can take some kind of anti-inflammatory and keep icing it, it will help. Keep icing it and go see a chiro! Can you take Aleve? I think Aleve works very well also and it last longer than ibuprofen

 

[Jeafl]

I have the exact same problem, only with the added fun of having two herniated discs thrown in.

I hate to tell you this, but I have seen 4 doctors, everything from neurosurgeon to orthopaedic to regular old internist, and they all tell me the same thing "Deal with it". I have taken the Medrol steroid dose packs which help for a few days, I have had the shots in my spine which work for a few months, but the pain always comes back.

The nerve pain seems to lessen, but the severe muscular pain has stayed around for over a year already. NOTHING I have tried has worked, so if anyone has any other suggestions, I am all ears.

By the way, I hate to see a chiropractor because my insurance won't cover it, and I had a horrible experience with one in the past.

 

[Christine]

Keep icing it and go see a chiro! Can you take Aleve? I think Aleve works very well also and it last longer than ibuprofen

My relationship with NSAIDs is very complicated. For the longest time, I thought I was allergic to ibuprofen. What I was reacting to was a filler in most every ibuprofen tablet (povidone). Right now, I am taking Children's Dye Free Liquid Ibuprofen and I get no reactions. I was going to take Aleve but noticed that "povidone" is in the tablet. So, I've got to find a generic that does not have that in it. I suspect I am also allergic to some of the dyes used on the coating. Fun, huh? Besides all that, I was taking a lot of Motrin a few years ago which caused me to get gastritis and stomach bleeding. I can tell that the small dosing I'm taking is causing some mild stomach pain.

I will tell you that I need *something* to get the inflammation down because I can't even think straight when it's bad. It seemed to be getting better yesterday but flared up for some reason this morning.

I went to the chiro for a few months when this happened years ago. To be honest, I don't really remember getting any noticeable improvement which is why I'm not rushing back, but I'm starting to get desperate.

 

[Denine]

I had the same thing a few years ago. I was in extreme pain. I had a couple of issues. First was the piriformis muscle. I got an injection into that which helped. Then the SI joint itself was acting up. I did PT which did nothing. Then they did a procedure where they injected my own blood into the joint. It took some time, but it worked and I haven't been bothered since.

 

[Christine]

I had the same thing a few years ago. I was in extreme pain. I had a couple of issues. First was the piriformis muscle. I got an injection into that which helped. Then the SI joint itself was acting up. I did PT which did nothing. Then they did a procedure where they injected my own blood into the joint. It took some time, but it worked and I haven't been bothered since.

Goodness...

I'm glad it worked but, man, I'd like this to just go away without any "intervention."

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Oh yea. Me, who has NEVER EVER had back pain ever, injured that part of my back doing Jillian Michael's lunges about 9 months ago. Not sure what to tell you how to recover.

My dh does the cortisone injections and physical therapy for his back and it has helped but his issues are more than mine.

Right now my plan is to start exercising slowly and walking to see what happens and then go from there. I will attempt PT before I go the drug route.

You know what? I think there is a exercise tape for back pain out there. I might have to go and dig that up.

 

[cepmom]

Oh yea. Me, who has NEVER EVER had back pain ever, injured that part of my back doing Jillian Michael's lunges about 9 months ago. Not sure what to tell you how to recover.

My dh does the cortisone injections and physical therapy for his back and it has helped but his issues are more than mine.

Right now my plan is to start exercising slowly and walking to see what happens and then go from there. I will attempt PT before I go the drug route.

You know what? I think there is a exercise tape for back pain out there. I might have to go and dig that up.

Jillian! I love her but also hurt myself last year doing her 30 day Shred dvd had problems with my knee (lunges!) and had to stop. knee is doing better now, but I'm afraid to start the Shred again

 

[Christine]

Jillian! I love her but also hurt myself last year doing her 30 day Shred dvd had problems with my knee (lunges!) and had to stop. knee is doing better now, but I'm afraid to start the Shred again

Me too. Hurt my foot doing the 30 Day Shred. Won't recover from that fully without surgery. That's why I said I was falling apart!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Jillian! I love her but also hurt myself last year doing her 30 day Shred dvd had problems with my knee (lunges!) and had to stop. knee is doing better now, but I'm afraid to start the Shred again

I am telling you. I never did tapes, I would do classes at a gym. Well, I can't afford a gym now and thought I would do these tapes.

OH boy, my body is so out of shape for these tapes. Flipping sucks to be injured.

Have you gone to a doc to get your knee looked at? My youngest has the sliding patella and has to do exercises to build up the quad muscles first. You might need to be working a different set of muscles in order to get back in the game.

 

[cepmom]

I am telling you. I never did tapes, I would do classes at a gym. Well, I can't afford a gym now and thought I would do these tapes.

OH boy, my body is so out of shape for these tapes. Flipping sucks to be injured.

Have you gone to a doc to get your knee looked at?

yes, I went shortly after it started. Turns out it was pes anserine tendonitis. Went to PT and it did get better. I had to quit using the elliptical too, just didn't help the knee any (something about the way my leg turns inward when doing lunges and using the elliptical) but I have started running which I love so it's all good!

 

[cepmom]

Me too. Hurt my foot doing the 30 Day Shred. Won't recover from that fully without surgery. That's why I said I was falling apart!!

I rememeber that from last year...stinks to get old doesn't it

 

[The Mystery Machine]

yes, I went shortly after it started. Turns out it was pes anserine tendonitis. Went to PT and it did get better. I had to quit using the elliptical too, just didn't help the knee any (something about the way my leg turns inward when doing lunges and using the elliptical) but I have started running which I love so it's all good!

My dd has to wear a brace for running or exercise to keep her patella from turning inward. Did they say that there was anything to help that along those lines?

 

[Christine]

I rememeber that from last year...stinks to get old doesn't it

Old AND with just bad genetics!

I have something called "lax" tendons. So does my son. It causes every joint in my body to be fairly unstable. It wasn't an issue when I was younger but it is now. I probably would have made a great gymnast back in the day!!

For now, my kneecaps move to much, and everything else "flexes" too much. I'm sure that it has caused my SI pain in some way.

My 16 y/o son had a heck of a time doing cross country this year because of it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have me some low back issues.Lol!

I am presently seeing a chiropractor and occupational therapist (same practice, different people).

I don't have issues with the joint, but I do have other issues with my sacrum and ummmm...posterior.

Several years ago, I purchased a sacro-wedgy. I can across it on-line and referred it to my PT at the time to see if it would help. She researched it further and told me to go ahead and get it. I am using it now to help while things are getting fixed.

I don't like painkillers/antiinflammatories either.

But google sacro-wedgy and see if that might help. It does take getting used to though. My hip flexors are tight tight tight and this contraption helps with
that. My diagnosis is tight hip flexors, non-existent glutes and weak hamstrings, and tight psoas. I have to strengthen my bottom and hams before I can tackle regular workouts.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So what we are all saying is.....we have no business doing these young whipper snapper tapes.

Glad to hear I am not the only one who hurt themselves on a tape. I wonder if there are tapes out there for people like us?

 

[Christine]

I have me some low back issues.Lol!

I am presently seeing a chiropractor and occupational therapist (same practice, different people).

I don't have issues with the joint, but I do have other issues with my sacrum and ummmm...posterior.

Several years ago, I purchased a sacro-wedgy. I can across it on-line and referred it to my PT at the time to see if it would help. She researched it further and told me to go ahead and get it. I am using it now to help while things are getting fixed.

I don't like painkillers/antiinflammatories either.

But google sacro-wedgy and see if that might help. It does take getting used to though. My hip flexors are tight tight tight and this contraption helps with
that. My diagnosis is tight hip flexors, non-existent glutes and weak hamstrings, and tight psoas. I have to strengthen my bottom and hams before I can tackle regular workouts.

Lisa,

If you wouldn't mind sharing your chiro's name (via PM) I'd appreciate it. I'm sure they are close to where you live so probably too far for me, but hey, you never know!

The chiro I used many years ago is no longer in the area so I'm not real keen on going to another without a recommendation.

 

[Christine]

So what we are all saying is.....we have no business doing these young whipper snapper tapes.

Glad to hear I am not the only one who hurt themselves on a tape. I wonder if there are tapes out there for people like us?

Actually there is!!

If you go to Collage Video, there is a woman who specializes in exercises for people who should move. Everything is done seated and she looks like she's about 70 years old. I laugh everytime I see it...but I shouldn't....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Actually there is!!

If you go to Collage Video, there is a woman who specializes in exercises for people who should move. Everything is done seated and she looks like she's about 70 years old. I laugh everytime I see it...but I shouldn't....

OK, I know that lady as she is on PBS every morning. I am not that bad.

 

[Christine]

OK, I know that lady as she is on PBS every morning. I am not that bad.

I'm getting there!