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Neurology (Expert Forum)
lower back and abdominal pain
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lower back and abdominal pain
by Lyn2, May 29, 2005 12:00AM
Thankyou so much for your time. I am a 37yr.f/110lbs. I have quite a few health issues and take multiple meds. including coumadin and antiarrythmics. I have a pacemaker. I also have been treated recently with zyvox for sinus osteomyletis, previously with mult. other antibiotics. I have severe osteoporosis and recently started forteo injections.
Here is my situation. About a week ago, I was on a hayride. There were a couple of very big jolts, where the driver in a pick-up truck drove very fast over some large pot-holes. It was jarring. Later that night when I lay down for bed I noticed intense back pain. The pain continued the next few days and quickly moved around my abdominal and pelvic area. It is severe cramping pain. When I began to have diarrhea, it was thought to be antibiotic related, and I was put on flagyl. I am taking hydrocodone for pain. Sat. morning I woke up feeling the continued awful pain and began massaging my lower back. I noticed extreme pain when touching some of the vertabrae. The pain caused the cramping abdominal pain to increase. I am now having trouble with bowel function. I can't seem to push.
My questions:
Does this sound like a possible fracture, and how is it diagnosed?
Can a fracture cause abdominal cramping/pain or bowel function problems?
Is it okay to wait a couple more days before I see my doc.?
How is this generally treated, if it is a fracture?
Thanks so so much!
Here is my situation. About a week ago, I was on a hayride. There were a couple of very big jolts, where the driver in a pick-up truck drove very fast over some large pot-holes. It was jarring. Later that night when I lay down for bed I noticed intense back pain. The pain continued the next few days and quickly moved around my abdominal and pelvic area. It is severe cramping pain. When I began to have diarrhea, it was thought to be antibiotic related, and I was put on flagyl. I am taking hydrocodone for pain. Sat. morning I woke up feeling the continued awful pain and began massaging my lower back. I noticed extreme pain when touching some of the vertabrae. The pain caused the cramping abdominal pain to increase. I am now having trouble with bowel function. I can't seem to push.
My questions:
Does this sound like a possible fracture, and how is it diagnosed?
Can a fracture cause abdominal cramping/pain or bowel function problems?
Is it okay to wait a couple more days before I see my doc.?
How is this generally treated, if it is a fracture?
Thanks so so much!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, May 31, 2005 12:00AM
As you have osteoporosis you have an increased risk to fracture bones such as vertebrae and pelvic bones - you should have this evaluated with plain xrays as soon as possible, you should not wait. Extreme pain on touching the vertebra is suggestive of a fracture.
Vertebral fractures are usually treated conservatively with painkillers, and continued treatment for osteoporosis. In some cases injection/insertion of a kind of cement can support the fractures vertbral bones - a back surgeon can asses the need for this if a fracture is detected
Pain from a vertebral fracture can cause altered bowel function usually constipation, you may need to take stool softeners (which should be presribed by your physician only).
Vertebral fractures are usually treated conservatively with painkillers, and continued treatment for osteoporosis. In some cases injection/insertion of a kind of cement can support the fractures vertbral bones - a back surgeon can asses the need for this if a fracture is detected
Pain from a vertebral fracture can cause altered bowel function usually constipation, you may need to take stool softeners (which should be presribed by your physician only).
