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Lower Back pain, tailbone area

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/19/2012 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have a new pain, it's always something. I have asked about tailbone pain before, well now it's discomfort in that area just above, the extreme lower back. It bothers me if I lay on back or stomach. I think basically if I arch at all. I fell like it is related to the inflammation. It also feels swollen at the base of spine. As soon as I turn on side it's fine. Any ideas or has anyone expericed this?
Posted 7/19/2012 11:35 AM (GMT 0)
When I was in a bad flare, I would have constant pain all the time that radiated from front to my back. The pain was hard to describe. I remember my doctor saying it was because my colon was so badly inflamed. I was inflamed from the top of my colon right down thru my rectum so it was no wonder I was constantly in pain.
Posted 7/19/2012 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
If the pain continues, have your doc look into the possibility of arthritis. We are more prone to arthritic conditions such as www.mayoclinic.com/health/ankylosing-spondylitis/DS00483

I have Sacroiilitis (inflammation and pain in the SI joint - the joint that connects the hips to the spine) and sometimes it affects my tail bone. It hurts if I sit or lay for too long and walking or standing for an extended period of time. It especially hurts if I lie on my back or stomach but not if I'm on my sides.
Posted 7/19/2012 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
any chance its your totm? i get alot of back pain at that time

Posted 7/19/2012 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
my GI has always told me my occasional lower back pain can be associated with my colitis
Posted 7/19/2012 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
totm...ah, had to look that one up..d'oh.
q
Posted 7/19/2012 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like your sacrum is acting up. That can happen as an "extra-intestinal manifestation" of UC. I had it very bad during a severe UC flare when I was 1st diagnosed in 1980. Before the steroid UC med chased it away, I felt like my torso was becoming encased in cement. As Sherry wrote above, it's common for UCers to experience arthritic-like symptoms in our joints-- that usually come & go randomly, but more likely if/when UC flares. You may get relief from a heating pad or application of topical lotion such as Ben Gay arthritis formula over the painful place. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 7/19/2012 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I almost feel like I need to ice it. I had ciatica issues since I was seventeen, 15 years befor the uc, but this seems like a new area. I will get it checked out. There are noticeable veins just above the butt crack, sorry is there a medical term for that??? Anyway, I definitely can foresee arthritis in my future.
Posted 7/19/2012 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
The kind of arthritis that IBD patients get is just painful and annoying, not destructive to joints. I'm sorry you're suffering with this, it is definitely not fun.
Posted 7/19/2012 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Kazbern, yes we can get destructive arthritis. It's more common in people with Cd however. The type of arthritis that is destructive is RA and AS. The most common non-destructive arthritis in an Ibd'er is peripheral arthritis (which is what I have).
Posted 7/19/2012 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
I was having similar issues, it turns out I was not drinking enough and my kidneys were making my lower back hurt and feel just like you are describing. I have started drinking more (mainly water) just keeping hydrated more and my back issues have gone away for the most part. I also thought it was due to my colitis and maybe it is in some way, but this helped me and may help you.

Good luck!
Posted 7/20/2012 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
You're right Red - although I would consider RA and AS to be separate diagnoses and not just the arthritis associated with IBD.
Posted 7/20/2012 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
I will try the water, can't hurt
Posted 7/20/2012 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
My son who has a pouch had tailbone pain, about 6-7 or so years after he got his pouch. By the time I got to him,he could not stand up,or even put his shoes on,and since the colectomy I know he can stand a lot of pain. Finally got him to the ER,turns out he had a pilonidal abscess. The ER doc wanted to do an I and D, I said no way not here in the ER,and not with a pouch.
As luck would have it the surgeon who did my wifes gall bladder
was on duty in the hospital,I said get me this surgeon I know.
Half hour later he had regular surgery ,they sucked out a
softball sized ball of pus and hair,overnight stay with lots of
antibiotics. All was well,ever since.
Old Mike
Posted 7/20/2012 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
I occasionally have it too. Maybe its arthritis but its just another pain to deal with.
Sometimes when I wake I have pain in my toes in my left foot, that one I hate.
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