What is this pain in my @$$? Pinched nerve?

[KarmaChameleon]

I need help!!! I had this pain with my previous pregnancies, it starts relatively early on and gets worse in the second trimester, mildly better by the thrid and basically goes away after the birth, though I have felt it non-pg before, just not so bad.


It is a sharp horrible, raw pain like a really bad bruise, at the base of my spine ,toward the middle of my body. It radiates out to the sides but only a little, It doesn't sound like sciatica from everything I read online. It is non-existent when I wake in the mornin,g it gets progressively worse throughout the day, but not always, is at its worst when I walk upstairs to bed at night, even (or especially?) after resting on the couch a couple hours.


My midwife last time told me it was probably internal hemmorhoids, and so that's what I always thought it was. Today I felt like I was going to cry it hurt so bad so I went to the pharmacy looking for some magic. All the hemmorhoid stuff says "For the minor discomfort" and "burning" and stuff -- that is NOT at all how I would describe this pain. Not at all minor, and definitely not just discomfort. It is pain.

I tried increasing fiber....didn't do anything. Baths don't help. Haven't tried heat or cold for fear of making it worse. Looking into reflexology and chiropractics.

Could it be a pinched nerve? Does anyone have any experience with this? I am desperate to talk about this, it is ruining my days and making me a complete witch.

[tatgurl]

I don't know if you read it or not, but I did reply to your plea to talk about sciatica in the March chit chat. I really think that it could be that. Even the chiro. didn't diagnose it in me, but I'm 100% that's what it is with me. Most of the info. about sciatica talks about leg pain, but that is not always what people get.

Anyway, read that other post of mine, and know that I feel your pain (:lol ), so to speak!!

[autumnfaery]

Sounds like some sort of nerve pain to me. I'd get thee to a chiropractor pronto. Make sure it's one that knows how to adjust pregnant women (as in, make sure they have had plenty of experience in doing so) and is very familiar with pregnancy related spinal issues.

In the meantime, try an ice pack. I know it doesn't sound like it would help, but if it's nerve pain/inflammation, ice is what you need. Heat just makes the area more inflammed.

Good luck and I hope you find some relief!

[KarmaChameleon]

*big sigh of relief*

thanks mamas, for confirming that it is something real. sounds stupid, I know, but after dismissing it as hemmorhoids for the last 5 years, it feels good to give it a little more attention and importance. and to 'diagnose' it as something that has nothing to do with my eating habits or my level of rest or whatever. I have been blaming myself for so long, I just feel relieved right now after seeing what you had to say.,

Tatgurl, I missed your post, off to read it right now.

Autumnfaery, thank you for your advice, at this point I will try anything, but please please not an ice pack!!!! (i live in New England and it's been 18 degrees for weeks!!!) Kidding, but I will try anything....just not sure whether to shove the ice pack directly up my @$$ or sit on it :LOL

I plan to have a chat with my midwife next week to see what services they offer at the birth center...I think I can manage the pain til then. I remember her saying her friend is a chiro and comes to work there when people need her :)

thanks again mamas, you really helped me tonight when I needed it most :love

[KC in KS]

If I'm interpreting your hints correctly, the pain's located in the vicinity of your tailbone? Could it be your tailbone itself?

I did something to screw mine up with my last pregnancy - to this day, I don't know if it was pregnancy, labor, or birth that did it.

What makes me suspect it is your comment that it's especially worse after resting on the couch. Mine gets definitely worse when I put my weight on my tailbone, with my pelvis tilted forward/seat curled around. Just like a couch or recliner (or car!) does to you.

Look into Coccydynia. There's lots of varieties, depending on severity of pain. But don't let them scare you with the (lack) of treatments. Mine eventually went away with constant use of a coccyx pillow.

HTH
KC

[KarmaChameleon]

hhmmmmmmm. I am going to look into that, thanks for taking the time KC :)

[amybw]

How are you feeling?
I have been thinking of you!

Sorry I missed the post in the chit chat forum, but i would have guessed sciatica til i read that you didnt think it was that.

:hug

:)
Amy

[KarmaChameleon]

Thanks so much for thinking of me Amy, that is really sweet :love

I talked with my midwife this week. She surmised that I probably am experiencing pain associated with the pressure on my tailbone, and with each pregnancy and childbirth it has become more and more sensitive. THe uterus is, she thinks, literally pushing my tailbone out of whack, and it is affecting all of the tissue and nerves surrounding the tailbone, but the pain is mostly from the tailbone itself. It sounds right on to me. She suggested a chiro, so I am headed down that road.

Thanks for all your support, mamas :)