Severe morning pain in lumbar area

10-11-2008, 02:36 PM

Please bear with me as this is a bit of a long story. I have had spinal problems for years mostly neck ( herniated disc and athritis) but niggling lower back pain as well. A year ago I started to get severe stabbing nerve pain about 5 mins after waking on left side of lower back. As this is also time I have my first of three bowel movements I was also sent for bowel tests. Incidentally I also had suspect appendicitis a few months later that wasn't but had appendix out and surgeon looked at all my bowel etc and all well. I then in July this year had colonoscopy that was compeltely normal.

A year ago I had an mri of lumbar spine which showed herniation at L4/5 and S1 with ddd in all lumbar discs. At that time the waking pain was only lasting a minutes and was a nuisance.

6 months ago the morning pain became much more severe - it is just like a dentist drilling into a nerve. I also started to get leg pain and symptoms.

My Dr is sending me for an up to date MRi of lumbar spine to see if anyting different from last one. Have had mri of sacro illiac and pelvis which showed degeneration of joints.

Recently I developed a intense buzzing sensation in my pubic area so saw Dr who tested me to see if I was developing cauda equina syndrone he even spoke to neurosurgeon who said as I have no numbness in bottom or anal region and I can still wee okay it sounds more like herniated disc so just have my mri scan when it is arranged sometime this month.

I am really really struggling to cope with the morning pain as on a scale of 1-10 its a 9!

The pain seems to be related to my bowels as well as it becomes intense for about 15 mintsh before I have a bowel movement but have been told that the spine and bowel could all be interlinked.

Just like anyones ideas on what is going on with me??

10-12-2008, 05:02 AM

Hi there! I have problems with the same levels and to be honest mornings have been my roughest. For a few months, we set my alarm 2 hours before I woke up and took pain medication so that by the time I got up I had medication in my system. We found after a long night, my medication had worn off and I was miserable come mornings. I would get sick to my stomach just moving to a sitting position or planting my feet on the floor in the morning prior to this.

My hubby also brings me a heat wrap that he heats up in the microwave on his way out in the morning and brings it to me so that helps as well.

Do you sleep with a pillow under your legs or between your legs?

Other than that I can't think of anything elese. Good luck and I pray that you find relief soon. I know and understand exactly where you are coming from.

10-12-2008, 08:22 AM

I really don't have an answer as to what might be wrong but I can say I could have written your post myself. I have severe lower back pain in the morning and the constant buzzing feeling in my groin, I thought I was the only strange one ;P

You might try sleeping with a pillow between your legs as mentioned. I've done this since a child since it keeps your spine in alignment. I also hug a small couch type pillow because my shoulders colapse.

I haven't found it to be effective for me however (pillow between legs) for the pain too much. It is worse if the pillow slips out though. I've also tried at least 3 different mattresses with no luck in eleviating the pain thinking it was my bed. My pain lasts for a few hours until my medication actually begins to work. It's frustrating and I totally understand what you must be going through.

Be careful sleeping with a pillow under your knee itself, it can cut off vital circulation (learned about that after my last hip replacement, never knew).

I also have a few herniations like you as well as disk space loss and swelling of the thecal sac I think they said. I see my doctor in a few weeks, if anything crops up I'll let you know.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

10-12-2008, 11:12 AM

thanks both for taking the trouble to reply its nice to know you are out there.
Will let you know if my next mri shows up anything different. I seem to have had so many mri of my spine over recent couple of years.

Severe morning pain in lumbar area

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