Coccyx pain and following fainting

[Zira]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am a woman 49 and looking for medical advice on a problem I have.
I have had these symptoms several times:

All of a sudden sharp strong pain comes in my coccyx and appears feeling to have a bowel movement but it does not help to reduce pain.  In 2-5 min appears the dizziness and weakness and I am passing out for seconds.

After I regain consciousness the pain disappears in 5-10 min.  I still feel the weakness and dizziness for 2-3 hours after that.
All my blood analysis are normal as well as electrocardiogram that was done right after I passed out.

The pain can appear while I am sitting or laying.

Thank you.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would first consider a colonoscopy (which should be routinely done at age 50 anyways) to ensure that there is nothing wrong with the colon that be causing your pain.

If negative, then imaging studies - such as plain film X-ray or CT scan - can be considered to image the coccyx to ensure there is no fracture or abscess (infection) that can be causing your pain.

Regarding the faining spells, this is more concerning and there are many causes of this.  For evaluation, an echocardiogram and possible event monitor (which can detect transient arrhythmias) can be considered as initial tests.  You may want to discuss these options with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[Zira]

Dear Kevin and Surgeon,

Thank you very much for your attention to my problem and your advices. I will follow them immediately.

I will start detailed study of my coccyx and just want to say that situation when sharp pain appeared were associated with curcumstances when I followed diet for several days before (did not eat much or regular volume of food as I normally eating).

Also, when I do not move, pain is leaving more quickly and there is no fainting. If I will start to move, fainting takes place. I do not have problem with constipation. The pain started to appear approximatelly 3 years ago and is appearing regularly almost every 3 months.


Yours very truly,
Zira.

[surgeon]

the pain you describe sounds like "tenesmus" which is a severe pain coming from the rectum or lower colon, internally. I think you need to have evaluation of your colon; this pain can result from several things, including inflammation, partial blockage, etc.