What's up with my back? (yes I have a doc appt in a few days)

Just thought I'd see if anyone had some insight here first.

I'd say the last 4-5 weeks I've had a very, very light pain in my lower back. Essentially not there unless I move/stretch in a certain way.

Definitely feels like my spine vs muscle related. All of a sudden on Monday it was much more intense (granted I did fall asleep a few times on the couch watching a movie/BTCC replays).

Sometimes if I've been sitting for awhile (at work), the pain is intense enough for it to take 5+ seconds to stand fully upright and a few steps for the pain to go away. It seems the more I'm up and moving around the more it keeps the pain level down when I stand up.

The pain level does seem to have dropped a bit since Monday, but was curious if anyone had any ideas? My doc apt isn't until next week.

Don't know anything about it, but use this to get your company to buy you a standing desk.

Not a doctor but you may have arthritis in your back.

My back is very particular to the chairs I sit in and the bed I sleep in. If it's not kept straight, it bothers me. Sitting on the couch is a no no, for certain. Any slouch is a no no. As long as I keep good posture, I have no pain.

Toyman01 wrote: My back is very particular to the chairs I sit in and the bed I sleep in. If it's not kept straight, it bothers me. Sitting on the couch is a no no, for certain. Any slouch is a no no. As long as I keep good posture, I have no pain.

I think you nailed it.

We had an extra back support down for chairs down in HR this morning, my back already feels a ton better.

JamesMcD wrote: Not a doctor but you may have arthritis in your back.

A few months back I got a pain in my lower back that hasn't gone away. Usually I have done something to make it hurt and it goes away withn a couple of days. Not this time. For several years now my doctor has looked at my xray during my annual physical told me I have arthritis in my spine. I think I know where this is going.

Strengthen your abdominal muscles. Pilates or whatever

Everyone has arthritis in their spine, unless they are a little kid. It is a matter of degree.

Not trying to scare you just do NOT skip seeing the doc! Back pain was how my tumors made their presence known, they caused bone weakening which led to compression fractures.

I came in just to say, go see a doctor!

Are your kidneys working OK? If there's a backup in the plumbing (i.e. enlarged prostate) lower back pain is one issue.

I'm going through some serious lower back issues. Here is what my progression was:

went to chiro. He prescribed x-rays which showed nothing (other than being crooked from muscle spasms). Neck was really messed up and he was able to adjust and give me some relief by helping my neck. Got some steroids to knock down the inflammation, but they were only mildly effective.

After a few weeks I still had very little relief so I went to my GP. She took blood to test for arthritis and it didn't show any signs of it. After some more (better) x-rays to further rule out bone damage, I went to an orthopedic surgeon who has me scheduled for an MRI on the 22nd.

My suggestion; chiro first with x-rays. Don't settle for a chiro who just cracks everything, there are some real miracle workers out there who really know how to read an x-ray and manipulate the right things to get you relief. If that doesn't work in a few visits, hit up your GP for arthritis testing.

Important suggestion: The RA blood tests don't normally include uric acid levels. Ask for it. Uric acid levels that are significantly above 7 could suggest gout. Gout in your back is unlikely unless you have a history of it in your toe/knee/hip, but its possible.

I'm in sports medicine. I would keep your appointment but just for fun. If you had to point with one finger where the pain is. Also do you have any mechanism of injury you can think of?

z31maniac wrote:

Toyman01 wrote: My back is very particular to the chairs I sit in and the bed I sleep in. If it's not kept straight, it bothers me. Sitting on the couch is a no no, for certain. Any slouch is a no no. As long as I keep good posture, I have no pain.

I think you nailed it. We had an extra back support down for chairs down in HR this morning, my back already feels a ton better.

Sorry, but it seems no one paid attention to this post.

curtis73 wrote: Important suggestion: The RA blood tests don't normally include uric acid levels. Ask for it. Uric acid levels that are significantly above 7 could suggest gout. Gout in your back is unlikely unless you have a history of it in your toe/knee/hip, but its possible.

I can tell you with some assurance he does not have gout in his back. Nothing about his tale fits with that. If you want to have less problems with your back, work on your core.