NeuroTalk Support Groups - Chronic tailbone pain?

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Spinal Disorders & Back Pain (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/)

- - Chronic tailbone pain? (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/5331-chronic-tailbone-pain.html)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by corsair6477 (Post 1146342)

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 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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by corsair6477 (Post 1146556)

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?

Quote:

Originally Posted by corsair6477 (Post 1147664)

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