Pain when bending or sitting

[butlerj]

This is a bit of a strange one to me. About 1 month ago I remember the specific day, being at my desk in my den at my computer and being aware that I was experiencing growing pain in my left buttock area. I had no idea why I was now experiencing pain as I hadn't been doing anything but sitting in a familiar chair, and couldn't recall straining or pulling anything recently. For a few days I tried to spend less time sitting, but that only worked insofar as when not sitting, I generally didn't experience much or any pain. Once I started sitting again the pain returned, no greater, no less.

The pain appears to be centered just to the left of my tailbone, although I cannot feel any tender or sore spot with my hand. It sometimes radiates sideways and even on occasion, down as far as the back of my thigh, though diminished from the center of pain. I generally feel nothing whatever laying down, and very little while standing except just after having sat for a while.

Because of the proximity of this to my plumbing, as you'd expect, I worried it was something inside. However, I don't seem to have any of the symptoms for anything internal. All the plumbing, front and back, continues to function as expected, and without pain. That would seem to indicate muscular, would it not?

On waking, I start to feel a bit of aching when I get out of bed. This rises as I get coffee, and when I sit down I feel a sharp aching near but not, apparently, on my tailbone. That pain seems to radiate sideways somewhat, depending on how long and in what position I sit. Bending over can sharpen and increase the pain considerably, though this is normally only in the morning. The pain is nothing but a dull ache for most of the day as I sit at work, then seems to grow stronger in the late evening. Coughing or sneezing can cause a sharp pain in the same area during these times but not at other times. I have no idea where it came from, what or how I pulled something or strained something, but boy do I wish it would go away. If it is an inflammation of some sort, would taking anti-inflamation drugs be of help, ie, aspirin or ibuprofin. How about muscle relaxents? It does not seem to have diminished at all in a month, but nor has it grown worse.

[Heidi]

Hi
Sounds very much like piriformis syndrome. This commonly produces pain in the buttock, often radiating into the back of the leg:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/piriformis.htm

Try these stretches and see if they help:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/stretching/gluteus_maximus_stretch.php
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/stretching/piriformis_stretch.php

I think to make it go away you are going to need some treatment. Massage to the buttock (unpleasant I know!) can be extremely beneficial. You may need some mobilisation or adjustment of the sacroiliac joint too.

[Darren_H]

This most definitely does not seem like piriformis syndrome. It seems much more likely to be related to your low back and specifically the discs in your low back. Please go see a doctor or physical therapist, especially if the pain becomes worse. Red flags that would immediately warrant a trip to emergency include changes in bowel or bladder function (e.g. loss of control), saddle anesthesia (numbness around your groin), constant pain especially at night. Worsening pain that goes past the knee is a caution and you should definitely seek professional advice. Hope that helps.