Originally Posted by
Crino
Hello. Not sure if I’m posting in the right place but it would be great to hear from anyone who’s been through something similar.
I have had central lower back ache (most of the time but it varies in terms of how strong it is) for about 4 weeks now. It feels internal rather than a joint problem - movement doesn’t hurt, but stretching forwards does help relieve it momentarily.
At about the time this started, I also started needing to poo more regularly and more urgently and my tummy feels slightly upset. I am pooing soft poo about four times a day. Under normal circumstances I’d go twice and it would be soft sometimes, slightly harder other times but never hard or constipated. Sorry if too much information!
I had the same symptoms two years ago and had a blood tests and saw a back doctor and gynaecologist. Neither did any tests - mainly because by the time I saw them I was in the mend. My blood tests came back fine that time. The problem cleared up after a few weeks (finding out the blood tests were clear seemed to hasten my recovery!).
This time I also had about a week of rectal discomfort (more of an ache) interspersed with the back pain but this has cleared up.
Blood tests have all come back normal this time except one suggesting possible slight infection but no action required according to a note from the doctor. So I’m happy about that. Waiting for hormone-related blood test back as in the middle of this business I suddenly started having night sweats. I was very frightened about the sweats but they started in the lead up to my period and stopped when my period slowed down so I suspect this is a perk-menopause issue. (I’m 46 - no other peri-menopause signs but this period has limped on for nearly two weeks so I suspect this is what’s going on.)
The doctor has given me a FIT test to do but I’ve had to hold off for a week as still waiting for period to completely finish.
I haven’t seen any blood in my poo. No nausea, no bloating. Very tired though but this could be down to sleepless nights, anxiety, young children etc. I am conscious of the back pain at night which makes me restless.
I’m less worried about the night sweats now as suspect I know what’s causing them (something hormonal). The back pain/loose stools is however a constant reminder that something is not right and is showing no signs of abating. I take comfort from the fact that I had it before and recovered. But it’s gone on for 4 weeks now and I can’t think about much else. It is possible I suppose that I have a digestive problem - I do have times - maybe three weeks in a row - here and there when my tummy feels a bit upset and sore and I feel generally unwell (but no back pain in these circumstances), but it always passes so I’ve never been to the doctor about it.
Not much I can do till I am able to do the FIT test - hopefully tomorrow - but I’m feeling pretty anxious about the pain and that there is no sign of improvement. My mind is of course playing big games with me! Since I’ve had kids I seem to have something wrong with me all the time and have spent a lot of time thinking the worst.
Thank you for reading this far. Any words of support from anyone who’s had similar symptoms would be so appreciated! Thank you!