About a month ago, I woke up with severe lower back pain. I couldn't lie down, sit or stand without pain. The only thing which helped at all was constantly moving/shifting. After about 30-45 minutes the pain went down to more of a dull pain, and finally, after about an hour and a half, it was down to just a constant background ache, something I noticed but that didn't cause any real inconvenience. This cycle has continued every day for the last month, and it's getting just a small bit worse each day. The pain during the day still isn't anything like what I experience upon waking, but I notice it a little more each day. During any part of the day, if I take my hands and press on the area of my lower back, right around my waist, I cause a sharp twinge that makes me draw in my breath.
I have a sleep number bed, and throughout the month I've tried numbers ranging from 30-100, with no change, so the firmness of my mattress doesn't seem to be the problem. I've searched the forums here and found someone who posted something somewhat similar on the urology board, but they stated that, after urinating, their pain stops. I urinate first thing in the morning, despite the back pain, and receive no relief after doing so. The severe pain continues for 30-45 minutes, and only then begins to lessen, even though I've not urinated again, so I don't think that's the problem. I was in the hospital last week for a video EEG, and my back pain was less during the 2 mornings I woke up after sleeping in a hospital bed. My best guess is that this occured because I slept with the hospital bed at a slight incline, whereas my bed at home is flat. As soon as I came home, the severity increased again.
I'm a side sleeper, and I didn't change anything between the time that I didn't wake up with low back pain and the time I did. One morning I was fine and the next I started having these issues. I didn't change the number on my mattress, my pillow, the way I slept, nothing. I went to bed one night just fine, and had strong back pain when I woke up. I'm an epileptic, but during the few days before the pain started I hadn't had a seizure which might have thrown my back out. I also hadn't stumbled/fallen or anything like that. It just wasn't there and then it was. I've never had trouble with my back in the past, except for the occasional minor back ache that a couple of aspirin took care of.
I'd appreciate any input on this issue, since I'm not getting more than 5 hours of sleep per night before being forced to get up due to the pain. Thanks for any and all help.
Amy