Chronic tailbone pain?
 

Well in addition to other spinal problems, I have a tailbone situation that nobody can seem to figure out and I am sick and tired of the pain. I went on a trip recently, and by the time I got home, I thought I'd die from the pain in my tailbone. A 13-hour car trip, 2 ways and the airplane seats! I thought I'd pass out.

I've never seen anyone here discuss tailbone problems. I do know of a yahoo type group that has one, but wondered if anyone here has a tailbone issue.

My doctor made an appointment for me to have an MRI done in a week and is referring me to the back specialist here. I've been going to the pain clinic here forever for this and last time I was there he just shrugged his shoulders and said I'd have to live with it.

My ****! I don't think so.

Oh, and yes, I've had injuries back there, LONG ago. I just woke up one morning a few years ago and thought, hmmmm...I hurt back there. Within a few days it was such full-blown pain I couldn't walk. And I hadn't taken a fall or anything! As I said, I've taken hits to the tailbone in the past, but way in the past. I was also kicked there by an abusive husband (but that was 37 years ago), slipped off a horse who decided to rush up the high river bank (and landed on the tailbone), have had numerous bad car accidents with resultant whiplash. But still, the pain just up and started all by itself one day and has never let up. Occasional trigger point injections have helped (OUCH!), but you have to get eXACTLY the right spot for them to work.

Doody,

Could it be coccydynia? Just a thought.

Also, I was having that same exact pain and to make a very long story short, I have three issues going on.

One, L5/S1 facet degeneration
Two, Rectocele
Three, Weak Pelvic Floor

So, according to one doc, this can all tie together. I am to get a facet injection next month. If that works, I am going into PT to work on the pelvic floor business. :)

I have sacroillitis - which causes tailbone pain.

I also have a severe muscle spasm that is pushing on my tailbone - another source of tailbone pain.

Combined, I can rarely sit like a normal person (my memory foam rear-end pillow goes everywhere with me) :rolleyes:

Have you been diagnosed with a Tarlov cyst?

I've the same, and, basically, it's inflammation which can be quite painful. I searched my files for info. when I had been asking about it on OBT, only I had to replace my hard drive so I will look further tomorrow.

A bone scan will detect or highlight hot spots that signal inflammation. But... so, too, did other radiographic imaging.

I do know that I don't sit or work in positions that others would find within the norm, but... one thing I'd definitely suggest is a PT or occupational therapist to assure that positioning or posturing won't also make the prob. worse.

Special pillows
 

Have you tried special pillows that allow the pressure to be taken off the tailbone for some pain relief while you are waiting. Like this one...http://www.sitincomfort.com/cocusesucu.html There are others. I just grabbed the first picture I found to show you.

Billye

Silverlady,

I bought one of those cushions you just linked to at the advice of my PT. I keep it in my car and it seems to help a great deal. The only problem is that by relaxing the tailbone into that opening, it still puts pressure on my sciatic nerve. I have an L5/S1 problem anyway maybe even piriformis. But overall they work really well! :)

Hi Doody-Hi everyone<wave>
I also have this same problem!!
I was told to live with it as well.....
I need to buy a donut pillow to sit on REAL SOON.
I know that mine started after my hysterectomy 3 yrs ago!Since i have had Xrays and an MRI .The docs have ruled out anything else.They all just say i have thinner skin in that area now:(
I cant sit like a normal person AT ALL either!
My chair has pillows perfectly alligned just for me.
I have one rolled up for my bottom.One for my back/neck.Then the one for my bad arm..It's VERY painfull for me to sit here for long.Of course i still do sometimes out of boredome-but i pay for it when i try to get up!!!!
I wish you lots of luck in figuring out whats causing your troubles!
~Kell~

Wow, I haven't even taken the time to check back. Thanks for the replies.

I've had sacroiliac injections that seemed to help for awhile. And yes I do have lower spine problems.

I had the MRI on Friday, and see my doctor sometime this week to see what he has to say.

And I do have 2 of the best cutout seats you can get to sit on, but they don't help. It's just as painful to use them. It just seems to pull more on the tailbone.

No, nobody has said anything about a Tarlov cyst, but it is a question I have to give to the doctor.

Lord, I can't even imagine one single day with no pain. Having pain somewhere everyday sucks big time!

Hi,

Take a look at Sacral & Gluteal Pain specifically Levator Ani and Obturator Internus at:

http://www.triggerpoints.net/_sgt/m1m3_1.htm

These Trigger Points respond well to hands on therapy by a trained PT or a Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist. Sometimes you have to go through the back door to reach the Obturator Internus.

Good Luck!

Hi painfree and thanks very much for that link. I'll read it more thorougly and share with my massage therapist.

Right now I'm so confused and upset and mad I could spit nails and then walk on them in bare feet!

I saw my pdoc today for the results of the MRI last Friday. So many big words I can't remember them all, so I am picking up a copy of the report on Thursday and can post it here and see if anybody can glean anything from it.

He basically told me that this MRI showed significant changes in my lumbar region from my last MRI a few years ago. He said there is severe L4-L5-S1 disc degeneration with severe disc space collapse and a large anterior bone spur. And significant degeneration in the coccyx.

Then he told me there wasn't any point in referring me to a back specialist because nothing could be done but to treat the pain at the pain clinic. The pain clinic with the doctor whom I got fed up with when he shrugged his shoulders and said there was nothing he could do for my tailbone!

I told him this, so he said, well...I'll refer you for a 2nd opinion with the other doctor at the pain clinic, or you can go and see the spine specialist here where I live except that he is a surgeon.

So, they called the Pain Clinic to set up an appointment with the other pain doctor for 'a second opinion'. The pain clinic upon hearing that I have gone to Doctor #1 for years on end said that they don't do 2nd opinions within their clinic and that I'd either have to switch doctors permanently and see Doctor #2, or go back to Doctor #1.

I stood at the desk for at least 5 minutes with my head in my hands getting pi$$ier by the second! I finally opted for my pdoc's nurse to try and set up an appointment with the spine specialist, IF he'll see me.

So that's where I stand...nowhere! Waiting to see if I can see the spine specialist IF he'll see me. I'm so confused now. My doctor didn't seem to think it was the right way to go because the specialist is a surgeon and they refer people to him when they think surgery MIGHT be called for, but did give that to me as an option.

Or get referred to Mayo in Rochester.

Anyway, he said the differences from the last MRI were very significant. I can't believe I have severe degeneration in my sacrum/coccyx whatever. Well hello. No wonder it hurts like he!! back there.

I'm just upset. I'll come back and post those MRI results when I get them on Thursday, see if anybody here can make sense of them.

It's bad enough I have the same thing going on with the cervical spine but at least right now it's reasonably under control...the pain I mean. The little electric zappies down into my upper back from neck aren't all that pleasant, but hey, it's all good.

:p

Hello, I'm new to this site. I've been trying to find out about severe tailbone pain. This started recently. I just had a hysterectomy and subfascial sling procedure approximately 7 days ago. I've been having a lot of low back pain, leg and groin pain and more recently severe tailbone pain. The pain is so severe that walking and especially sitting it literally killing me. Anyone have infor about this? I've been taking the pain pills I was prescribed by my doctor but this do not relieve the pain. Any suggestion on the cause of this? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...

((((((Doody)))))),

One more thing to think about or to get checked out:

-- have a physical therapist check out the length of both of your legs.

In my case, one of mine is slightly shorter than the other. My son had been telling me for YEARS, I was "crooked". It can throw a lot of stress in the low back area. I have problems in L1-L2-L3-L4-L5 and L5 is fused to the pelvis. All of that causes havoc in that area 'cause you're not "balanced". I, too, get "****" pain when I sit too long -- especially on non-soft seats.

Good luck.

Barb

((((((Barnie)))))) <<-- those are hugs!!

Just wanted to welcome you!! http://chocolate-moose.p5.org.uk/MINIS/lrteddy.gif

""7 days"" -- good grief -- that's way too soon to be feeling top-notch again :eek:

Any kind of surgery is an assault on the body. Sounds like what you've been through is "major league".

Have you tried sitting on pillows or on a "donut" (that's a round, inflatable 'thingy" that was designed for (I think) hemorrhoid pain, but it might help for "pain in the tail end" (donut cushion).

I remember I went back to work about 4 days after 8-hour laser surgery for endometriosis. I rode the bus to work and almost passed out from the pain. My doctor said "what the heck were you doing on the bus -- way too soon for that".

Same for you, sugar -- give yourself time to heal. Hugs (and welcome).

Barb.

Painfree has a good point...

Do check out the Levator Ani, Piriformis and Glutes!!

I have lumbar facet degeneration at L4, L5 and S1. All of this time I thought the lumbar was causing the problems "where it counts". And I was wrong! At least in my case anyway. Prior to finding this all out I was doing lumbar PT and some Kegel exercises. Talk about severe pain! My PT had me to stop immediately and get to my ob/gyn. My ob/gyn noted that I had a small rectocele. She, in turn, then sent me to a Urogynecologist who ran extensive testing. The bottom line...no pun intended :) is that while I do have a SMALL rectocele it should NOT cause pain. The REAL problem is the Levator Ani!!! This in turn links to to the piriformis, glutes and on and on it goes.

So, my Uro told me to get the lumbar straightened out first because pelvic PT can be extremely painful. And by this he meant, get some injections; anything to calm the lumbar nerves down. So, I did this. The injections worked and I could definitely isolate then that it was the pelvic floor.

Now, in two weeks I am to get the right side facet injections (my PM only did the left about two weeks ago). I have called the "PT Specialist", and trust me, there are not very many around that do this kind of specialized PT. So, I am waiting on a call from her to get started.

I take Klonopin for PN and for spasms but I was told I could add a LITTLE Valium when the spasms were bad in the pelvic area and backside. Not to be gross, but the pain is mostly in the rectum. So, last night I took about a quarter of a tablet of Valium and did it make a difference! I slept like a baby and the spasms were taken from a roar to just a slight ache. So, this tells me now, for sure, that it is NOT the lumbar causing this NOR my Sacrum (the sacral area is just fine on my MRI). It all has to do with a weak pelvic floor.

I know it is tough isolating all of this because the lower back, sacrum, nerves, pelvis all tie in together one way or another.

And, another thing I just read is that IF you have a pelvic floor problem, DO NOT SIT on a donut or a coccyx cushion! I had been doing this a lot and had all kinds of cushions around. I noticed though it made me feel worse. The article I read says that sitting on one of these cushions can actually make the pelvic floor muscles even weaker. However, I do realize that some people need them for surgery and things of that nature. So, I am not using them at all anymore until such time as I can get into PT and see how they are going to handle this and what their recommendations might be. :)

Tailbone muscle spasms
 

I had a hysterectomy with repair of a rectocele in May. Since this surgery I have been having muscles spasms at the very end of my tail bone.

This does not have anything to do with sitting. The pain always occurs at night and wakes me out of sleep. If I put pressure at the end of the coccyx it helps, but if I try and get up out of bed I can not even stand.

I have a feeling it is associated with my surgery. The prolapsed rectum that I had was not corrected completely and am still having issues with my bm coming down into the space between the **** and vagina. My GYN admits that this area is still weak even with his surgery.

Could this be what is causing my muscle spasms and if so how do I correct it without another surgery?

((((((Paula)))))),

I don't have any experience with any of the conditions that you've been dealing with.

But, it sounds to me like: (1) something is lined up incorrectly when you're laying down in bed; or (2) when you press in that area either the pressure is lining 'things' back up again or maybe the pressure is causing a sensation that overrides the sense of pain.

I've heard that it can take up to a year to get back your 'old self' after major surgery -- time for all the nerves to heal and the damage to the muscles to heal. Only five months since surgery, that's not very long :rolleyes:

Why didn't he finish the repair?? Seems to me you're still having the pressure of the BM in an area where the pressure doesn't belong.

As I said, I don't know a thing about any of these 'conditions'. I'm wondering, though, why you think a 'defect' can be fixed without more surgery :confused: I can understanding perfectly WHY you don't want more surgery :hug:

You might want to also join up with HysterSisters http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/showthread.php?t=80081 since they DO have experience with exactly what you're facing.

You might also want to post your message in one or all of these places:

Women's Health
Chronic Pain forum

Also, in the Chronic Pain forum, there is an active thread entitled What can we use for pain caused by compressed or damaged nerves?? that you might find helpful.

Well, Paula, I wish you were here to pick up your Halloween candy -->> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...YS/corny10.gif, instead of coming here because of lack of sleep and intolerable pain.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...bears-mini.gif

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sometimes, just knowing that someone's listening also helps. I hope you can find someone that can give you much better advice than I can. And, I hope you get your miracle too.

Hugs.

Barb http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...tchywaveff.gif

Paula,

I don't have any experience with surgery but DO have minor, prolapsed rectocele and cystocele along with lumbar/sacral problems and and a fractured coccyx (never knew I had it). Anyway, what helped was pelvic floor PT. Ask your Gyn about it. It helped me considerably with all kinds of pain and spasms! I was and am still completely amazed at how much it helped. You wouldn't believe the how all those muscles connect and some of it was caused by nerve damage from the lumbar/sacral area.

BUT...it might be way too early just yet. I want to ask too...is there a puncture wound of sorts near your tailbone area? My mom had this surgery done to fix a cystocele and couldn't sit down for quite a long time. Evidently, they had to go in from the backside to do some "attaching". But I would say in a couple of months she was much better.

Oops, should have added that I had a hysterectomy back in 2000. So, these things happen...repair work I mean.

Anyway, I asked my Urogynecologist if, because of the rectocele, the BM sort of gets stuck in that pocket (You know what I am speaking of and sorry for being so graphic) if that would put pressure on the coccyx. He said yes. So, the only thing I could do before I went into PT was to make sure I took in plenty of fluids and used a stool softener when needed. And, really, since PT I haven't had near the issues I was having. But I would think your gyn is right...the area is still just probably weak and tender. But seriously, check into the Pelvic Floor PT when you get a chance. And by the way, it takes a specialist to do this; they are few and far between but it worked for me. Hang in there and I hope this all gets better!

I have the same problem that you had. I woke up one morning at the end of March 2012 hurting. Over time it got worse. They did X-Rays and said everything was fine. I finally got them to do a MRI but they did it of my lower back, not my tailbone. I got 3 epidural steroid shots.......the first 2 helped........the 3rd made it all come back plus lower back pain. My new doctor is going to give me an ozone shot and see if that helps. I honestly don't know what to do. Extreme pain and no idea why

Need to ask a question about tailbone pain?
 

I'm not sure how to return a reply, so here goes!
I am 67 yrs. old with a diagnosis of SEVERE DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS (L3-S1) lumbar Three-four, four-five, five-sirenol one ???? Not really sure what all that means except that I'm in a lot of pain. I know this has been developing all my life, but now it has caught up with me. I recently, pushed myself building a new fence on my property and used my back incorrectly which laid me up for 2 months so far. I had an X-Ray and an open MRI. All of this just told the doctors I was getting old and had stenosis of certain vertabraes. Just as I was feeling better, I fell backwards landing on my tailbone across a cement step (all 250 lbs.). I have been taking Naproxen 500mg and Bayer Back and Body OTC. I take them independently of each other. I will switch from one to the other. The doc gave me Prednisone but it made me very drowsy? Before I fell, I was going to a chiropractor with some good results, but then I fell on my tailbone. He said to continue with Naproxen, Bayer and ice packs. I decided to purchase do-nut cushions and this has helped.
MY QUESTION IS: DO YOU THINK BECAUSE OF AGE AND DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS....my tailbone will not heal properly?
I have read many post and I am really sorry to read about people of all ages that are in so much pain with out any relief. It's really heart breaking..I am really sorry, especially for the young people. They haven't even had a chance to enjoy a pain-free life.
Thank you in advance to all!

I second the reply post asking if you have been checked for Tarlov or other spinal cysts. Have you gotten a high resolution lumbosacral MRI with contrast?

These cysts are often ignored or overlooked by doctors and can cause tailbone bone pain. If you are diagnosed with Tarlov cysts, there's a separate forum section of NeuroTalk under Other Disieases>Tarlov Cysts.

Hello corsair6477,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups. :)

Here is the direct link to the forum that TomatoGirl has mentioned.

Tarlov Cyst Forum

all the best.
I hope you find some answers and are feeling better soon.

I would think that tailbone pain would be difficult to separate from degenerative diseases. I had lower tailbone pain since my 20's/30's; but as I aged worsened. About 10 years ago really started having lower lumbar area/tailbone. I was trimming some bushes and took a spill where the ground sloped. After that the pain worsened and became extremely painful.

My MRI showed degenerative disc disease; the worse was at L4-5 (lower lumbar area) and spinal stenosis. Eventually had surgery/spinal fusion, etc. I am still dealing with the lower pain; especially the tailbone area. The degenerative issues will very likely continue to increase; so as perviously mentioned; not sure what type of healing would occur. Inflammation caused by the arthritis will be an issue as well. Personally, I would not want a chiropractor messing with this because it might just aggravate the condition adding to the inflammation.



Gerry

Fused tailbone?
 

Jerry, thank you for your reply. My question to you is...I thought and have been told that my tailbone is trying to fuse together because of age and arthritis? If this actually happens, does it mean the pain will go away or not?

Fred

I'm no expert but my understanding is the tailbone may have some calcium deposits causing fusion. This may cause healing not to be properly aligned. In time the pain may lessen; but there are probably times when stiffness or inflammation may occur during certain activities. I would think a little extra rest with something for inflammation would help ease the pain.


Gerry

I ended up with spinal stenosis after a hip replacement in 2010, talk about a mess of a surgery. I went thru PT who even does "internal" work to release the canal.

I found on Spine Universe site from stenosis exercise/stretches and I do them daily.

Bringing knees to chest while on back, one at a time or together helps open up the spine. There was a time I could NOT sit for 5 minutes and would end up almost in tears with pain. No more, I can sit pretty long now. There was a period too when I had to carry my donut pillow everywhere...now I just sit on it at computer.

About the calcium ... I'm of the belief that too much calcium supps are ingested and even many docs push too much calcium....Magnesium is way more important for bone health than calcium "chalk"......

Tired of pain.....
 

Thanks for the info and I'm very glad you are able to sit with out so much pain.
Right now, sitting seems to be the worst thing to do but I get so tired and exhausted from trying to stand and walk. When I do get up, the pain comes quickly. It seems to attack my ham strings & hips on both legs so I have to stop and sit down. People do not understand this kind of pain when they see me in agony? I am going to try stretching the legs as you mentioned. I am glad to hear that some people do get better....hope it continues for you!

Hi corsair,
As I understand it, you had tests done prior to your fall.
Maybe I'm wrong.

Did you have any tests done after your fall on your tailbone to see if there was a break?

MRI & X-Ray Test
 

Lara, I had the test (MRI & X-Ray) done before I fell on my tailbone. Since I posted the last comment, it seems to be better when I sit now. Maybe the donuts helped heal faster?

Thanks for the update. Glad you are doing better.


Gerry

Doody, whatever happened with this tailbone pain?

I'm a new member, and that is one of my problems too. My neurosurgeon said that an MRI doesn't help either, as the tailbone doesn't really show well. So while he wants surgery for my cervical spinal stenosis, and initially conservative treatment for my other disc/spine issues, he flat out told me that little can be done for tailbone pain in terms of treatment.

Cameron

I just posted on Cameron's post about SS and PT work and spineuniverse stretches and exercies I do....acupuncture and special PT helped me a lot when I ended up with SS after a hip replacement.....

@CSWright: the tailbone shows just fine on a high resolution MRI with full spinal imaging slices and contrast.

The problem is that there is no coding for sacral spine imaging so it typical it gets done as a general pelvic MRI. The image field is far too large and the slices aren't tight enough to see the spine well. It's like taking a photo of something you want to see up close from afar.

It's not a limitation of the MRI equipment, if you find a place with a (3T) high resolution MRI. Request the pelvic MRI be ordered as for full spinal imaging of the sacrum to coccyx, then they should include MRI imaging protocols for the spine that include up close imaging and the axial slices of the spine. There are also specialized protocols to view the pelvic levator and other pelvic muscle and nerve issues. It's how Tarlov cysts are best detected as well as other neuropathic pelvic anomalies like pudendal neuralgia.

Another option is to request an MR neurography be done at the same time so that the spinal nerves can be better viewed.

Me too coccyx
 

The only thing I did to bring on coccyx pain was to spell it during a game of bananagrams. X-yay showed mild osteoarthritis, and CT scan w/out contrast remains denied by my insurance. I am 4 weeks post onset from my spelling injury and suddenly it got worse. 2nd opinion on Monday and PT starting next week. I have a history of hypoparathyroidism, which was bad news for proper bone formation for 3 years, ending in acute renal failure from calcium overdose. I now have stage 1 kidney disease so many drugs are not healthy for me, including naproxen. Naproxen helps the pain but at a cost to my kidneys. I also take Voltaren externally. I use a coccyx pillow and have a sit stand desk. Bones crack when I stand up.