Lower back pain poss. ref. to hip pain constant, what COULD it be?
Alright a little bit about myself, 22 year old active-healthy male, presenting with constant mild-severe lumbar back pain, hip pain (may be refered pain as I read more). I've had JRA (juv. rheum. arthritis) when I was 7-13 now in remission. Hip surgery (torn labrum, L hip), achilis tendon rebuild and debride (R), torn cartilage (R knee), all motorcycle racing related. I've had lower back pain over the course of 4-6 years, now its getting worse and worse. Pain is at its peak in the morning, pain may subside partially after BM, sometimes not. Currently on Percecet 7.5/500 (currently as of 6 days ago, can't take anymore, hurts stomach too much) and Mobic 7.5 2x day (3rd week on it, no decrease in pain or inflammation, also contemplating stopping due to stomach pain after ingesting WITH a full meal). I'm currently seeing a primary care phys. and Rheumatologist (awaiting lab work to check for arthritis).
As I said before, I've had JRA (R knee, R index finger, + Gout [R big-toe]), I like to think I know what arthritis and bone/con. tissue injuries feel like given my past. My back does NOT feel like arthritis to me, its not terribly inflamed and hot, it feels more like my hip or achillis did when I injured them. I also believe that the hip pain MAY BE refered due to various back problems I've read about back issues (sciatic nerve), pain occasionally goes from my back, to the hip, and to the thigh (almost feels like a hamstring pull). Also I've read that the back pain with pain subsiding after BM can be caused by constipation due to narcotic pain killers, I do not believe this is the case because I am very regular, normal BM's, and I've been very constipated when I had my achillis surgery (eating over 80mg of oxycodone a day). The pain will range from just a dull annoyance some days to so bad that I am not being able to tie my shoes (can't bend that far) on other days.
I have no idea whats going on, my doctors have no idea whats going on. Does anyone have any ideas of what it could possibly be? I'm about to my breaking point with my doctors, I cannot take the percecet 7.5/500's anymore which is totally limiting my life (had to withdraw from college courses as I can't walk 3 miles around campus all day without pain killers and I'm about ready to quit my job because I can't scrub and carry heavy kitchen around without destroying my back). I've told my primary doc that I would like something without 500mg's of acetaminophen in it, ideally with NONE, as I have to take 2 on a good day when I wake up to 4 on a bad day for break through pain. He looks like at me like I am a straight opiate addict, which is VERY VERY frustrating for those of us young people that are really in pain. How can I even tell him I need something stronger without him getting this idea? I feel as if EVERY doctor I goto looks at me as an addict (I've been off for 6 days now with no withdrawl symptoms or cravings). Any help would be much appreciated.
I respect the quick response but I've done all the stretching, strengthening exercises etc that they have told me to do in the recent years, nothing helps. I've been on muscle relaxers and that didn't do anything but put me to sleep and wake up with worse pain. I'm about ready to just conceded. The ONLY thing that has helped my pain and quality of life (being able to do everyday things such as school, work, activities) is narcotic pain relievers. I've been on probably 5-6 different NSAID's (sulindac, mobic, celebrex, etc) with no relief. I hate the idea of being on narc's because of the addictive properties and more importantly, I ride motorcycles (street and dirt), its the only thing I truely love doing. For obvious reasons I won't ride while under the influence of narc pain relievers but the catch 22 is they are the only thing that has continued to allow me to have a normal life.
Public Comments
1. When someone doesn't know why you should be in so much pain they start looking at you that way and having those thoughts. For those of us who have suffered through the pain we know it's real and painful. What you have for your back is pinched muscles in your back. It's fairly simple actually, there isn't much else it can be, bones, muscles or nerves. It is was the nerves you would be in the hospital because of the pain. Bones don't have pain receptors. So with either tight or pinched muscles you are going to get all the pain you are having in your back. Most of the pain you are having is muscle related and that does make it possible to get rid of the pain. After over 35 years of pain I was able to get rid of mine so I know it possible. So here is how you can release your back muscles to get started on the way to being pain free:Back:
(do from a sitting position)
Place your left hand on your left leg next to your body. Place your right hand over your left shoulder and find the muscles next to your spine and press on them and hold. After 30 seconds slowly lower your body forward and to the outside of your left leg, keeping your left arm fairly straight as you do. When you reach your lap remain there for another 10 seconds, release the pressure but rest there for another 30 seconds. Then reverse your hand positions and do your right side.
Let me know how it goes and what you might still have left in pain and I might be able to help with them as well.
2. Hi not sure if this could be your problem or not but here goes, i have severe lower back for 6 years now and my doctors didn't believe me either, as all tests and scans came back clear. i have found a great physio who has told me that my pelvis is in a down slip which basically means it is out of alignment, she massages my back, buttocks and hamstrings all on the right side, i am not going to lie, it really hurts when she does this, but i feel so much better afterwards, she also tapes my back to give it extra support and to help keep my pelvis in alignment.
i have been told that when my hamstrings become tight this then pulls my pelvis down causing my back pain. so for now i have been seeing my physio once a week to every second week and this has helped me so much, i am not sure how long if ever this will last but as long as i can keep my hamstrings loose my pain will be reduced significantly.
hope this has been of some help. good luck
if you would like some more information you can email me at KylieAnn1985@yahoo.com
3. i dont blame you for wanting to not take all these meds.I suggest accupunture.find a good qualified person to do this or try hypnosis,Have u tried any cortizone shots?.. Pain killers can be so addictive and can actually be killers.My son had a hip replaced and within 1 month he was dead from methedone and hydrocodone. the two do not mix together.He just kept taking more and more so be very very careful or you may have to seek help for overuse of drugs. You are so young keep searching until you get the right help and express your concern to the doc about addiction
4. My dear young person, get yourself an appointment with a chiropractor and see if he/she can help you. This area is their specialty. I have been helped by my chiropractor and believe in their natural approach. In the meantime get some bromolaine at the health food store. It is a natural substance from pineapple and helps with pain. You may find some other formulas there that can also help. If you find MSM, that works too. Make absolutely sure you are eating only the best food you can find that are chemical free . If not, you should supplement with vitamins and minerals. Getting off the meds would probably help you, but talk to the chiropractor first. They are trained in nutrition more than MDs. Sometimes we just have to go outside the normal medical areas to find what we need. Good luck!
