Chronic Groin/ Lower Back Pain

[Butterfly612]

About 4.5 months ago, I noticed a pain in my groin area when I stood up.  It was quick, and felt exactly like a typical knot.  It did not go away with time or with massage.  I told my chiropractor about it, and she tried an adjustment and gave me some stretches to try at home.  With still no improvement, I visited my doctor.  He basically checked to make sure it was not a hernia and sent me on my way with a diagnoses of "stained muscle".  I only noticed the pain when standing up or bending my torso more than 45 degrees, however the pain I felt then was bad.  Pretty high up there on the pain scale, but not quite as bad as childbirth.  By this point I had tried everything I could think of: Ibuprofen, heat, ice, rest, stretches, massage (even a professional one), chiropractic work several times, and nothing was helping.  It wasn't even improving, in fact, it has gotten a lot worse.  I started feeling the pain wrap around to my lower back and buttocks on that side.  I saw my OBGyn for my annual exam and told him about it.  He prescribed me Naproxen to take for a week.  Within a few days I noticed an improvement, and by the end of the week the pain was gone.  The problem is, within 2 days of finishing that prescription, the pain was back with a vengence.  It hurts all of the time, and especially when I move.  Sometimes I need to limp when I walk.  It wraps around to my lower back and buttocks, and shoots down my leg.  It is worse in the evenings, and there are nights when I want to cry it hurts so bad.  I lay in bed trying to fall asleep, but my groin and back throb.  I had a follow up appointment with my OBGyn, and he referred me to physical therapy.  Thats great and all, but I want a MRI, so I am seeing my regular Dr. again tomorrow.  Does anyone have any insight as to what this could be?  I am at my witts end here and desperate to find some relief.    

[Sweetpotatoe57]

Have you had any pelvic surgerys?  Any problems with bowel or bladder?  I have similar to the same as you, and have issues with L5 S1 with some nerve damage, but they say this could be something else.  Give me a little bit more to go on, as you are sounding similar to me.  Tell me if noticed it after childbirth, etc. or what brought it on.  I am struggling to find an answer to mine, and am seeing my GYN Next week, again, and have done PT, internal and external.  Will look for you later, or message me. sweetpotatoe57

[Butterfly612]

Hi!

Thanks for your response.  I have not had any pelvic surgeries or problems with my bowels or bladder.  Although I did have a kidney infection last April.  
The pain started in May, when I was about 8 months post partum.  I don't know of any activity that brought it on, I just noticed it one day.  It started around the same time I started a new job.  I am a product rep for Silestone, and I spend a large chunk of my day in my car.  I also have to lift and carry heavy sample boxes.  I'm not sure of the exact weight, but my guess would be around 40 lbs.  
Since I posted this question, I have been prescribed Prednisone.  I noticed an improvement, but the pain is still significantly there and it is starting to come back at full force.  Today was my last dose of the medication.  
How did your pain come on?  How long have you been dealing with it?  I am wondering if it could be a herniated disc.  

[Fluffysmom]

Hi, I was just finishing reading your post and was starting to answer before I got to your last sentence.

YES, I think it could be a herniated disk!  I have similar pain, and I have had low back pain, and no one could say if they for sure if they were connected.  Then, in December I really herniated my disk (taking my fat cat to the vet, I'm so embarrassed :o)), and the groin pain acted up at the same time.  On the same side as the radiculopathy shooting pain down my leg and into my foot.

I realize it could be any number of things, but I would definitely get a lumbar MRI if I were you.  I think it's best to treat such things early, before they have a chance to escalate.  Often herniations can be treated conservatively, or with a non-invasive procedure.  

You might consider a safer way to carry your sample boxes.  Isn't Silestone a big enough company to help make some modifications to help accomodate your back/groin issue, especially if it was aggravated on the job?  You don't want to aggravate it again, if you get it calmed down.

Good luck in finding answers, and I hope you find relief soon.

Kathy