Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Tailbone pain

Another important point that could distinguish if your tailbone problem is musculoskeletal or autoimmune: Does it make the pain worse by pressing on the area?

In my case, that was the reason why the tailbone specialist concluded that there was no surgery solution, no matter where he touched me, it didn't reproduce or increase the discomfort. (I was actually disappointed, because it meant we weren't finding any answers!)

Well, if I press the area, anywhere around my tailbone, it causes pain. It is better this week, but still sore. I have no idea, but I am looking for a pad for my work chair and then I'll see what happens from there. With every thing else that goes on with AS I don't really need butt pain too!!

but i think if pressing on something makes it hurt more, don't be too quick to rule out inflammation either. i know my tendonitises feel like bad bruises where not only use but pressing on them hurts, but only when they are inflamed to begin with. or my SI, when its sore, its also sore to the touch as well. same for the piriformis, same for the occipital muscle, etc etc

sue

Quote:

---

With every thing else that goes on with AS I don't really need butt pain too!!

---

That's for sure! But part of the problem with this is how long it takes some of us to ask for help in this sensitive area.

I know that if I walk into a doctor's office with a swollen thumb, the first thing he or she will say is "Let's take a look at it!" But when I walk in and say "It hurts when I sit" they tend to take my word for it..

Of course, other people might get a different response...

But more seriously, if you do have reproducible pain, then it could help you find a physical reason, unlike me, at least so far. I can show a doctor the exact spot where my SI joint hurts, but the butt discomfort is much less distinct (and more maddening because of it!) Glad to hear that you are a little better this week.

Hey Sue:

Yes, we definitely have some similarity regarding SI joint stories! Although you have a much better understanding of the mechanics. Mine started in my right side, I remember it after running in Central Park way back in like 1990, and I remember thinking that I must have gotten a pretty good workout, being that sore, but how odd that it would be on one side. Then it didn't go away even though I stopped running. So I tried running again, it actually helped, and then soon it came back on the left side, where it mostly took up residence since.

I also remember you saying that you have achilles heel pain, in your left foot I used to have that as a kid, oh those memories of just trying to get through the 600-yard dash, and just hoping it would go away. Which it actually did, or hibernated for a number of years. When I read a posting here about AS sometimes beginning with achilles heel pain, and then later showing up in the SI joint, I thought "I'm getting closer to some answers!"

But my butt pain is something different, I still struggle to describe it to anyone who wants to hear. It doesn't feel muscular but more internal instead. I think it is not a reaction to the SI joint pain, in that is being pulled on by the muscles or something like that. Rather it is like a reaction in the membranes, like there is some some bad chemistry going on there. I am starting to read more about Reiter's Syndrome, but don't have stomach pain or the runs so I am not too sure.

One of these days I'm going to try your technique of putting ice on my SI joints and sacral area, but everytime I think about it, I say, not today! I do use one of those herbal wraps in the microwave, it is very comforting, and we have a hot tub in the back yard, which I am in probably 360 days out of 365, even when the air temp is down to 20 degrees. There are a few nights that the wind blows so hard that the top of it won't stay open, and it has come down on me a few times-

Hi Kelly

Well you have finally found out why it is called AS...We just had to shorten it for obvious reasons...lol

Seriously, I have been down this road also..I have one of the mesh type office chairs at the computer in my shop. It is one of the few places around the house that I can sit comfortably for any length of time. You might try a cushion as others have recommeded, I also found that the infamous donut cushion helps. Or if you can just get up and take a break now and then.

Keep Kickin'AS
Chris

My tailbone is also painful. I cannot sit up straight because of it. The Drs. look at my xrays and shake their heads. I have found sitting at an angle helps when it is really bad. I have done some old PT exercises and it has helped me sit a little straighter. Yes the exercises help. You might have to try several different cushions till you find one that works. Good luck.

this is what i sit on, and i love it!
before this, i really couldn't sit hardly at all.
expensive, but worth every penny to me.
i bought one for work first, love it so much (after 2 years of trial period),
that i'm buying one for home.

http://sitincomfort.com/swopper.html

sue

hi dow,

i only write all that detail in hopes that someone will see it and say, wow, that's my problem, that's exactly how i feel. and i only know all that stuff from all those years of picking my physiatrists' and PTs' brains.

but if your pain feels different, hopefully you can get to the bottom of it,
i'm always impressed with how well most PTs can diagnose a physical problem, meaning name the body part that is in pain, often better than most doctors. maybe PT can help you?

ice and heat. these are two of my favorite things.
i know i'm in pain when ice sounds more soothing than heat and its wintertime! use whichever works for you. both work for me in different ways.
i like both very much.

sue