back pain lower left side

[kevin doyle, ph.d.]

My mother is experiencing lower left side back pain
ONLY when lying down.  Her GP had no ideas.  She would like to know what could potentially cause this condition.  She is VERY active and experiences NO pain while standing, sitting, dancing, working in her garden and so on, but the pain is starting to seriously disrupt her sleep patterns.  She is 73 years old.  Her
cholesterol is a little high (HDL's very high), but otherwise she is in excellent health.  Her blood pressure is erratic, but not
considered high, usually 130/80.  She does not nor ever has smoked cigarettes, but lived with a smoker approx. 40 years.  She drinks alcoholic beverages moderately (at most a few ounces daily).  Any
suggestions wil be appreciated.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Dr. Doyle:

Lower back pain is one of the most frequent complaints in a neurological practice.  There are a myraid of etiologies of back pain.  I would recommend seeing a neurologist and have your mother evaluated.  Likely, in addition to the neurological exam an MRI of the back will be needed.  Without doing the exam and seeing a scan (MRI) it is impossible for me to tell you why your mother is having back pain.  Sorry, I am not much help.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Judy]

I have a friend that had the same situation. She could do all the movement tests without problem, but couldn't lay down without pain. I believe she had a herniated disk. They thought that it would be about a 1 hour surgery, but ended up taking about 4 due to some unexpected findings not evident on MRI. She is great today.

Also, the first time I heniated l5/s1, it was excruciating lying down. I had to stand or sit very straight for a couple weeks. I got no sleep - awful. I tried conservative therapy first time around. Mistake. It blew badly 18 mo. later leaving some permanent damage. Not to imply conservative might not be best here.

Usually people with a herniation are better when they lie down. But, not always. A GP may not know this.

See a neurologist, they can do an MRI to see what it is and then help select appropriate treatment.

[Liz]

To an extent I agree with the previous poster.  It sounds like there is some type of nerve compression or involvement when your mother lies down.  Maybe this is alleviated when she is standing, sitting or doing other things.  Does she experiences any numbness, tingling, or burning when she lies down in her buttocks, legs, arms?  

I'm not sure a neurologist would be the way to go unless there are additional symptoms, but a neurosurgeon would be a good place to start.  Anti-inflammatory meds are helpful.  I have gotten very good results with Relafen, over some of the others.

Best wishes to discovering a cause of her problems and a "cure".  :0)

[Josh]

Another question to ask is if the pain might be in the hip, the hip bone is jointed and if its moving to much this may cause pain.

[[e-mail],]

I am currently in pain..spent last night in hospital.  my left side, hip area hurts or a better word is throbs.  if feels better when walking and much more unconfortable when sitting or laying down.  the hospital checked for kidney stones and found one though they do not think its the problem.  They found I had a bladder infection...but still not sure what is causing pain.  they sent me home with pain killer and antibotic (antibiotic) for bladder...I"M STILL IN PAIN....help...need idea

[Pat O'Brien]

regarding left hip/leg pain; what I thought was sciatic flare up
an MRI has shown to be ruptured L5-S1 with disc fragments pushed onto the nerve root itself. My doctors are recommending surgery
sooner rather than later. has anyone else gone through this ?
is surgery the only solution...though at this point, I'm ready to do it myself to get some relief.

[iristhevirus]

A related discussion, Localized pain in lower left back was started.

[jam1978]

A related discussion, HELP was started.