sharp pains in the lower back

ampersat · 08-09-2003, 06:19 PM

by lower back, i mean at the belt line and just below. by sharp, i mean the kind pain that makes you stop dead in your tracks and take a quick breath. the way it happens is kind of like when you're tilting back in a chair and go just a little too far and catch yourself. it's got that sort of feel to it when it happens.

i've had a lot of soreness in my lower back and hips for a while now. if i hang by my arms and relax my back muscles, i get a soreness in the spine where my "twinges" come from. today, i was out working on the drifter and took a walk to bimart for some more supplies. while walking i had four of these twinges that left me walking like an old man (i'm only 33 years old so i'm sure i got some looks shuffling along through the neighborhood). i took an NSAID and a nap and i can still tell something is wrong. this has happened before i know it's something i've got to deal with. i was just hoping it wouldn't be anytime soon.

is this the kind of thing that requires a good chiropractor or a good surgeon? there's lots of folks on ifish with back problems so i'm hoping someone knows what i'm talking about. chiros are great for some stuff but i'm not sure this is something they can fix.

Norski · 08-09-2003, 06:59 PM

Ampersat,

Some time ago I hade the same thing happen to me and in the end, with in 2 mounths, I was in the hospital and in traction, did't need a operation, just strechen out.
In the small of your back below your belt line you have 4 mussels that control walking, bending, when you get out of a chair, it hurts.
I was off for 3 mounths with mine, and it was no fun.
I was lifting a tank for welding and my back went out, I could not stand, my dad took me to the hospital and they got me strighten out and off on my way back to dads house as my truck was there. I made it to the farm, out by Helvasha, I could'nt even walk, baby steps ect, no lifting, nothing.
Take care of your back or you could end up like I was.
I COULD,NT EVEN GO FISHING OR HAVE ANY FUN WITH MY GIRL FRIEND.
I would go have a X-ray taken and go from there.

Tight Lines River-Rat.

24 on/ 48 off · 08-09-2003, 07:29 PM

If the pain is also noticeably near your flank, then do not rule out kidney stones.

DOUBLE ouch!

--spud-- :smile:

C-lice · 08-09-2003, 07:34 PM

I'm 31, and I have exactly the same problem. Two things I'd recommend that REALLY helped me:

One, go to physical therapy. My problem, which gives me exactly the same symptoms as you, is that I have a bad disc in my back. When my muscles are tense, they press a nerve in my back into the disc, and I become a large gimpy crab. The therapist worked with me to increase my flexibility and now my muscles don't tense up and press the nerve into the disc. Even after the therapy sessions were over, I was given exercises to do at home which helped a tremendous amount. 10-15 minutes exercising each day is a small price to pay to keep back pain at bay.

Two, my doctor had me start taking MSM / Glucosamine pills. You can buy them over the counter at any grocery store or pharmacy. These are really good for the soft tissues between your joints and they alleviate the pain. I wouldn't call them fast-acting pain relievers, but after you've been taking them for a few days you'll notice that you really don't hurt anymore.

1pump · 08-09-2003, 08:02 PM

I just went to my chiropractor today and had my trochanter yanked back in. One leg was 1/4" shorter than the other, which isn't bad. Usually it's 1/2" or more. When this first happened to me 2 years ago I thought it was my lower back. I could barely walk, and my left leg would go numb intermittently.

I'd try a chiropractor first, and if that doesn't do it go see your Dr.
I was skeptical of chiropractors until I finally saw one for my trochanter a couple of years ago. Mine's made a believer out of me, and he's cheaper and easier to go see than my doctor.

Grantspastor · 08-09-2003, 08:32 PM

Double check on the possibility of kidney stones. Drink mega lots of water even on the possibility it might be one. The pain from these things is SEVERE...enough to put you on the floor.

Herring Impaired · 08-09-2003, 08:55 PM

See a Dr. ASAP! I thought I had kidney stones when this happened to me, but it turned out to be much more serious. Hopefully it is not that serious for you, but I wouldn't mess around, see a Dr.!, Better yet, A Urologist....

rags · 08-09-2003, 09:10 PM

I had similar pains and had my gall bladder out. Go see a doctor now!

RvW · 08-09-2003, 09:36 PM

Amp...belt line and below? doubt its kindey stones. Been there. psiatic nerve?. Is the pain off to one side just a little?? does it feel like a pinch or a pull?
Is it relative to leg movement (one or the other or both)

Hate to say slipped disc but from the few details you provided...it sounds a little like it.

Good luck

Maddie'sDaddy · 08-09-2003, 10:34 PM

Unfortunately at 38 i have been there and done that many a time, it all started in 92 after i injured my low back while moving furniture which i did for about ten years untill it finally took its toll. I do have disc problems but most of my problems down there are muscle problems. Often if you have sciatic nerve problems you will feel it down your legs ,one or the other.
There is also something called facet syndrome which is when you bend over your facets in your backbones open up and when you stand back up they pinch the soft tissue in there and cause your muscles to spasm. those muscles are very strong so when they act up you will know it. Usually takes about ten days of rest to make it feel better. A good stretch for it is to lay flat on your back with your knees up and pull one knee at a time to your chest for five seconds each, you will feel it stretch down there, just don't go to the point of pain ,just till you feel the stretch. Apply some ice afterwards. also an xray will show if you have kidney stones or something wrong with your bones but you need an MRI for anything to do with nerves or soft tissue.
Unfortunately the thing that makes mine feel the worst is sitting in my boat all day fishing, but thats the price i am willing to pay. Try the stretching and see if it helps. it helps me alot. My back goes out on the average of one time every two years or so. I also invested in a hot tub and it works miracles. Sorry this is so long , but back pain I do know well.
I have been told that if you have cronic back pain sometimes you can get a prescription for a hot tub, and your insurance will help foot the bill. Don't know if it is true or not , I bought mine before i heard that. Good luck.

salmurai · 08-09-2003, 10:59 PM

Ampersat, chiro first then a surgeon. A good chiro can probably help you out. Mine told me to quit carrying my leatherman and he was right. My back problems have eased up. It was a super tool with a maglite and a pair of snips all together so it was a little heavy. Stand up straight in front of a full length mirror and see if you are standing straight up. I'll bet you're crooked. A good chiro can straighten you out in a jiffy. Good Luck.... salm

lost_sailor · 08-10-2003, 09:37 AM

I have chronic back troubles, in fact I've spent the last week recovering from an "episode." I should have been fishing at Nehalem or somewhere, but couldn't risk it.

EXERCISE helps me the most, stretching the back & legs, and strengthening the abdominal muscles. Those stomach muscles are supposed to be taking half the load of holding us up, but being the flabby American couch potatoes that we are ... strains the back. After being severely rear-ended in an auto accident a few years ago, I have to do those exercises every day. I skipped a couple of days and then painted the bathroom, I was in bed or on the floor for 3 days, missed 2 days of work - I feel your pain, I mean, seriously.

CONSULT A PHYSICIAN, strive to avoid surgery!

Old Coot · 08-11-2003, 07:59 AM

Don't fool around with self-diagnostics and advice from strangers. You are issued one set of discs, vertebrae, nerves, et al at birth. Getting new ones is really, really tough. Go see a physician. If he says surgery is the only option, get a second opinion; if that physician concur, then you have an answer. At the ancient age of 36 I was using a cane full time and my life alternated between working and lying on my bed. Finally had the surgery that all the "street experts" advised against. Had two discs, one entire process and a bowlfull of scar tissue removed. 18 years later I've never looked back. Changed my life. I can fish, hunt, flyfish, backpack - albeit only with a really top of the line pack that passes all the weight to my hips - boat, you name it. Go see a doctor.

Hare's Ear · 08-11-2003, 01:01 PM

Yet more advice from a person with no medical education. Start with your MD. Hopefully, X-rays and other test will rule out any serious medical conditions. Then, if the prescribed muscle relaxants and excercises don't help, go see the chiropractor. This is what I did and here's what I got for it: 1. Peace of mind. I don't have kidney stones, a ruptured disk, a tumor, or any other type of ailment that an MD is good at finding, but that a chiropractor may not be. 2. Once I had peace of mind, I got pain relief from the chiropractor. Never been before but I'm glad I went. There's a lot of massage and cold packs involved, so its really a lot like physical therapy, no matter what name you give it.

Pete · 08-11-2003, 02:19 PM

Ampersat, Maddie's Daddy and Old Coot get my vote. Age and strain can really mess up a back. I've had problems on and off for 15 years. It seems to flair up about every 6 months, usually after sitting in the car for an extended period, or heavy lifting without using my knees. Disks can and do deteriorate and/or develop a bulge or swelling that can press on a galaxy of nerves. There are many types of professionals who will tell you they can provide relief. Find one you trust to help provide education on the causes and cures. My physician gave me a range of about 8 options ranging from "do nothing and suffer" to "let's cut it open". Based on the physiology lesson, I chose one of the less invasive approaches; short term NSAIDs, physical therapy to learn how to stretch and to avoid harming my lower back. Given a range of options, I felt comfortable doing enough to avoid new tissue damage and protect myself through strengthening exercises. The key for me, however, was consulting a skilled, knowledgeable physician.

pdxkevin · 08-11-2003, 02:35 PM

Before freaking out!!!!

Do you carry your wallet in the back pocket? See I had a pain similar to what you are talking about. Moved the wallet to my front pocket ~ Bammm fixed the problem right off. Seems the wallet out pinch a nerve, now in the front pocket, no pinching and pain is history.

FallRiverGuy · 08-11-2003, 02:53 PM

I also carry my wallet in my front pocket. I also would start at the MD then go to the chiropractor. Your symptoms sound like the problem I had with a bad disc. I first hurt my disc when I was 27 or 28. After many visits to the chiropractor I slowly healed but still had times when my back went out and laid me up for days. It was also difficult at times, to sit for long periods. The disc finally blew 5 years later. After physical therapy and cortisone injections I healed. My back bothers me at times, but it no longer goes out on me and sitting is never a challenge as before. Looking back I wish I had gone to the MD first for an MRI.

I go to chiropractors to this day but as mentioned above, they are good for many things, but diagnosing a ruptured disc is not one of them.

ampersat · 08-11-2003, 06:35 PM

you know, it's funny: i've been busting my, um well, back working on the drifter. i'm twisting into all sorts of positions sanding for hours and i hauled the homemade, and quite heavy, axle out from under the trailer. nothing. the things that set my back off are things like walking, standing and leaning over my work bench ever so slightly. i know, i know: all the hard work is setting me up for episodes when my body isn't really paying attention and oh there it goes again.

this stuff has happened before but not for a long time and not with the frequency and level of pain it is now. i'm going to the chiro tomorrow for a quick adjustment but i think i'll be seeing my doctor here pretty soon just for good measure. in the end, i think i'm not quite in the state that requires surgery. just some adjustments, hopefully some massage, stretching and exercises. saturday was agony and required the heating pad and the ice pack. sunday morning i stretched and did some exercises and i was fine all day. today was another bad one though, probably because i didn't stretch or exercise. but i'm going to go see the doctor anyway just to rule out anything more serious and hopefully to get a prescription for muscle relaxers.

ps: i haven't carried my wallet with me for years, in most cases. during the week i'll leave it in my backpack. only during my weekend trips to the store will i carry my wallet with me and when i sit it usually rides off to the side.

Maddie'sDaddy · 08-11-2003, 07:01 PM

Ampersat , One thing you will find out by going to a real good Dr is that the last and i mean very last option is surgery , and that is only if you are having serious troubles walking or urinating, or with bowel movements. A good Dr hates cutting into you as much as you would hate having it done. One thing you might find is that it might be your shoes, you would be amazed at what a real good pair of shoes can do for your back ,legs and so on. Sounds funny but i have a pair of sneakers that make my upper back hurt when i wear them and a pair of boots that hurt my lower back. Sounds strange but very true. But i do agree with seeing a Dr. first.