Back Pain in the Morning

[SkyerNite]

I'm a 26 yr old Male, who currently suffers from back pains in the mornings. Other than the back pains, I would say that I am a healthy and fit person.

The pain only occurs in the mornings. As soon as I get up and start moving around, and stretching out the back, the pain starts to dissappear, with only a slight tingle left during the day, but not really noticeable.

I've tried so many things:
- Celebrex (this helped to relieve the pain, however as soon as I stopped using it, the pain instantly came back. I don't want to be taking drugs for the rest of my life).

- Chiro, this seemed to only provide temp. relief also, but the pain is still there.

- Osteopath, same as Chiro, however has helped my correct my posture.

- I've tried accupuncture, and again this hasn't helped.

- Fearing the worst, I went to the doctors and told them about the pain, and he ordered an xray for my back and this came back fine.

- I've changed my mattress twice now to one that is designed to support the back.

- I've paid attention to my pillow, and have changed that too, to one that provides greater support (latex - dunlopillow)

- I try to exercise regularly, and pay particular attention to stretching out the back.

I believe that the pain must be associated with the way that I sleep. However how does one control how they sleep when they are unconcious. I sleep on my back and sides (when I'm aware). When on my side I bend my knees slightly.

I've had this pain for about 1 year now, and I'm getting very concerned. Any suggestions?

(***@****)

[JaCoope]

I am 29 female who has suffered with morning back pain for 7 years. I can't remember really when it started (not from any particular incident). My sister suffers from it as well and is 10yrs older than me. I've always been healthy and active. I eat a completely organic diet, no alcohol and no cane sugar. I drink 2-3 litres of water a day. I've seen Chiro, osteo for years they only give temp relief, I take heaps of vitamins a day, tried accupunture with no effect. Have massages- nice, but no effect the next day. Only thing that worked for a while was no carbohydrates or sugar of any kind. It was hard to maintain but try paleo diet but don't eat fruit. See if it helps, I might try that again, hard to stick to bc I love to cook.

[Joshy12321]

I'm 14 it all started 6-12 months ago I woke up 3-5 hours after falling asleep  with a pain In the upper-centre of my back. I kind of ignored it but it is getting to the stage where it hurts so much, just wish it would go away.

[drnurse]

Hi. Sorry to hear about everyone's back issues. I am a nurse and have back pain myself, probably just wear and tear but also due to herniated discs and muscle spasm so I know where you are coming from. Have also witnessed patients with severe back pain.
Whilst you may have spinal issues your back pain may also be due to Neuropathic pain caused by a variety of issues, one being related to medications or alcohol use. Dehydration could also be a cause.
So I would suggest trying to eliminate certain things from your diet, such as alcohol initially and see if there is an immediate improvement. You could also increase water intake during the day and perhaps try a supplement. Magnesium deficiency can also be a related issue, so magnesium supplement may be beneficial for a period of time. Fish oil tablets may also help...if it doesn't help our back, at least it might help our brain! ;-))
Failing that, RESTING (ie NO physical exercise for a period of time could be beneficial) along with heat packs and medication prescribed to you. Then introduce stretching exercises which will help reduce muscle spasm too, perhaps glucosamine also. Failing that an Xray or MRI, then as needed, physio or physical therapy, posture correction, meds or surgery. Go easy on the anti inflammatories if possible. Other meds can be prescribed for pain in addition or instead... panadol osteo, codeine based meds or low dose narcotics can help severe pain for short periods.but can be addictive and have side effects. I am sure you all know this already but hope to help a little. Stay positive
All the best, hope things improve

[Hoplite]

After reading the entire thread from 05 to now it is clear that there are many different issues being talked about. If your pain is in the lower back/ flanks, non radiating and quickly resolved by movement then it may be more diet and activity related. As discussed before- gas may build up causing discomfort, corbinated beverages/ muscle use and training lead to increased lactic acid build up (as does sleep apnea!), previous injuries- especially when you are still growing- possibly involving bone growth plates can lead to ongoing and chronic problems later in life. Radiating pains into the legs or upper back suggest possible pinched nerves like in siatica. Perhaps those seeking help from buddies need to actually see a doctor. My pain has been on going for years, but I only started looking it up on the Internet because it is such a short term issue for me. I can't sleep in- so I don't, it hurts till I get up- so I get up. I have sleep apnea so I use a CPAP machine (if you snore- look into it!), for proper diagnosis you do need to be as specific as possible relating area, type and intensity of pain (the number scale is often used 1-10- 1 being you stubbed your toe and 10 you got hit by a truck [or the worst pain you have ever felt]. Talking to your doctor is necessary- certainly if nerves are suspected or relation to previous injuries and or a history of arthritis- a doctor is someone with experience treating people with a host of issues possibly very similar to your individual complaint. They can also refer you to other resources should the simple lifestyle changes noted in this discussion be inadequate. If you change doctors you don't have to start from scratch describing your problem and all the things you have tried to relieve the problem. He or she may ask you to give them a description of the problem, but that is to ensure they have a proper grasp of the specifics- things not always obvious from brief notes. Start simple, keep moving, keep looking and trying new things and never give up.

[Hoplite]

Im 42 and have had this problem for about 7 years. It has got noticably worse as time has passed, but some mornings are worse than others. I simply can't spend anymore than 9 hours in bed- if I do the pain and stiffness is terrible. I have done nothing as far as follow up with a doctor in response to this problem. It hurts to change possition or get up in the morning, but I push through it because it improves very rapidly with walking around and voiding my bladder. I am currently quite sedentary, but the pain was no different when I was training for a 1/2 marathon. I believe after reading this old thread that lactic acid and indeed carbonic acid may be large contributors to pain in the flanks in the morning. Drinking a couple large glasses of water 2 hours prior to bed and stealing clear of carbonated drinks after supper may help significantly. As a registered nurse I have seen, on countless ,  how similar factors affect people differently. This may not help everyone- or certainly cure anyone, but avoiding narcotics or prolonged NSAID use and managing symptoms is the goal here. I hurt this morning and realized I had a large mug of diet coke before bed- the stiffness and discomfort started after about 5 hours- noted that when I got up to go to the bathroom. The lactic acid- a biproduct of muscle use, and carbonic acid- a component of carbonated beverages are processed by the kidneys. Perhaps too much of these chemicals- sitting in the kidneys are causing the pain. Cleansing the works with water may help decrease the overnight acid bath that the kidneys are exposed to. I am often surprised at how simple solutions have extraordinary results and how what we consume determines how we feel.

[hurtbear]

Hi All I am new to this horrible morning lower back/pelvic pain.  I recently got over a kidney infection and am in the process of passing a small stone which i believe i have already passed. I am now dealing with a morning pain that is similar to the kidney pain i experienced but not exact and only in the morning where the kidney pain was all day.  It is so bad i must take a vicodin and ibuprofen 800 in the A.M. to function at all.  Note the pain is DEBILITATING & EXCRUCIATING to answer the previous question of how does it feel, but more specifically a constant sharp pain in the lower back, hips and pelvic area.  I dont know how long it last because in the last week I have not been able to function without the pain killers.  I did some research and found that the Here is an excerpt from eHow Health:  

Important Warnings about Ciprofloxacin: Ciprofloxacin carries a special warning about the possibility of developing tendinitis or experiencing a tendon rupture while taking this medication, Medline Plus warns. People over the age of 60 are more susceptible to this. Children under 18 can develop problems with bones, joints or the tissues surrounding joints. Joint and tendon problems usually occur in the shoulder, hands and back of the ankle, but they can occur elsewhere. Although tendinitis or joint pain could involve the back, back pain, especially if accompanied by a fever, may indicate a different problem. Both types of back pain should be reported to your doctor immediately.

This antibiotic is prescibed to cure not just UTI's and Kidney infections but many other conditions such as venerial diseases.  Please respond if you have taken this drug, we may be onto something.  I will try all suggestions to help with my pain.  Is there any legal minds out there who can answer this question "If a drug company warns of a condition you may develop from taking their drug are they free of liability?" and "Does the word develop without the word temporarily indicate an indefinite condition?"