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)

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.

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,

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.

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...