Ok, this is really embarassing, but. . .

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
Ok, this is really embarassing, but. . .
6
Tue, 01-11-2005 - 9:37pm

Since half way through the pregnancy with the twins (who will be 5 in May!!!) I have had horrible pain in my tailbone!! It is getting ridiculous--I can't stand up anymore without almost falling into the floor, and it takes me forever to get up out of a hard chair because my tail end hurts so badly. The doctor referred me to a ortho, who said it was Coccydynia (translated means sore coccyx LOL)caused when my tailbone was pushed so far in the wrong direction during pregnancy that it broke, and never healed correctly and probably caused nerve damage (yeah, ouch). As to what to do for it, he suggested coming after my hiney with a Craftsman tool chest, and whacking my tail bone off with a hammer and chisel!!! DON'T I NEED THAT??? Besides which, I know everybody in the OR here, since I worked at the hospital, and I would have to leave the state if I went in to have major butt surgery UGH. It's really not funny, because it hurts so much I feel like crying when I have to stand up quickly, but come on--I literally have a pain in the a** that requires medical attention. It's official--my life is complete.

On a serious note, I'm scared to death to have the surgery done, because he said there was a *small (you know how they say that, and it leaves you wondering what they really mean by it. . . ) chance that the pain could not only fail to go away, but become worse and constant. Great. Just what I want--to be more obsessed with my hiney than I already am between the sore tailbone and it's refusal to shrink to a more acceptable size. It seems like with the padding I have back there it shouldn't be this painful, by the way. I have to go back to the ortho next week and try to decide if I'm going to have the surgery, or try a spinal injection of cortisone first. I almost fell today when I tried to jump out of a straight hard chair after one of the twins. This stinks. Thanks for letting me whine. :)

Angela

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2004
Tue, 01-11-2005 - 10:01pm
HI!
I had the same pain when I was pregnant with my son! It was an awful pain, I would make my husband put pressure on my tailbone while we were in bed at night to make the pain stop! My son was HUGE, 9.2 oz and was 2 weeks early, I think thats why it hurt soo darn bad! Thankfuly it stopped, I'm sorry yours didn't. That must be awful to live with that everyday, 5 months was enough for me! Goodluck with whatever decision you make, and I feel your pain, hah. Keep us posted :)
Kate and Dominic 2 years

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2004
Tue, 01-11-2005 - 10:46pm

I am so sorry Angela...that sounds horrid!


This might not help but for temporary pain could you use one of those new heat patches? I use them during my periods(which I get horrible tummy and back pain) and they truly help me. If it has to do with the nerves it might help a little until you decide what to do..just a thought.


Keep us updated.


Best wishes


Traci

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 12:23pm

Ok, I was just wondering exactly how I would put the patch on to the "affected area". . . I went out this morning and bought a "doughnut pillow" like the ortho suggested--and it seems to help. It is, however, not exactly a discreet or attractive item to cart around with me LOL! Maybe I can make decorative covers for it. Holiday themed even hehe. I could make it look like a wreath for Christmas, or like an egg for Easter. UGH! Oh well, I think I will try to heat thingies, though--thanks for the suggestion. :)

Angela

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2004
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 12:59pm

Oh I am so sorry for your pain. I have a very good friend who was kinda in your boots. She's only 25 and I have known her since she was 10 yrs old. She's younger than me. She was born with a small touch of scoliosis(sp) and spina difia (sp). You couldnt tell by looking at her. She had to wear a brace as a child. Well since having her 2 girls she has been in alot of pain. She finally agreed to have surgery. They put a 8 inch pin in her tail bone. They had to grind her tailbone down to the marrow to fit it in. She ended up having some problems they didnt know about until she was opened. Her nerves down her right leg were severed. They dont know how she was even walking. So they reconnected the nerves. It took 25 staples to close her up. This was all done the day after Thanksgiving. She is now driving, walking, she lost 15 lbs so far and she's much happier. At first the right leg went numb alot but the Dr gave her steroids and she's much better. She is still sore and stiff but feeling better all the time.

I hope this helps with your decision. They always tell you about the risk bc they have to by law. Ask about % instead.Eileen

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2004
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 7:16pm

LOL


You are to funny! If it wasn't in such a delicate place I would ask to see it decorated :)


I hope the pain goes away!!!!!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-23-2004
Fri, 01-14-2005 - 7:48am
My first suggestion is, before any surgery ALWAYS get a second opinion. If you have nerve damage that is why the Dr. said there is the possibilty that the pain may not go away. Also back surgery is VERY delicate surgery and even if everything goes the way it should you may always be in pain. It may decrease, due to the bones healing properly. Or it may always be there due to the damage done by it not being caught and properly cared for when it happened.
The warnings they give you before surgery are because in some cases these things have happened. I tore the cartilidge in my knee and before I signed the papers for the surgery my orhto told me I might never walk again. Not because he isn't a REALLY good Dr., but because it has happened before. Not only did I walk again, but went back to playing tennis. (although he wasn't happy about that!) I now face knee replacment surgery, which we are trying to put off as long as possible. I am as the Drs. say WAY too young for it. I'm lucky in that the ortho I have now, is the best when it comes to anything from your waist down. (His partner is the best when it comes to anything from the waist up.)
Get a second opinion, search the internet for stories of others. There may even be some non surgical treatments out there that you ahve not tried.
Good luck!
Nancy aka Emtmom