back/side/hip/abdominal pain mod to severe

Last weekend, I woke up with a severe burning, stinging pain in my lower left back area.  It travels down my left side to my groin and sometimes around and up to my rib cage.  Sometimes my hip begins to hurt as well.  It is definitely much more severe when sitting.  When I touch the area on my back that seems most affected, it feels as if I have a sun burn in that area.  I have been mildly constipated and urine output is normal.  I did start my menstrual cycle 2 weeks early.

I have just completed a round of steroids (5 day pack) and have been taking hydrocodone but with no relief.  I have an appt with my gyno next week but unsure if I can tolerate the pain for that long.  Any help/advice or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

[Prem Pillay, MD]

Occassionally with steroid use this kind of pain is a prelude to a bout of shingles (herpes zoster). Other possibilities are a nerve related pain from the spinal region.
If it persists then you should see a neuro specialist and get an MRI of the spine.