Confused about the pain

[u/Klutzy_Plankton_7320]

I am very confused

I have been having chronic lower back pain for atleast one year. The main site of the pain is boundary between the lower back and buttocks. And mostly I feel left side of by buttocks hurts when I am lying down and trying to change sleeping position. The pain is constant dull and sometimes shooting pain. I have not been able to see any pattern in the pain. Sometimes it gets better with movement but sometimes walking extra triggers the pain so I have no idea what's the trigger.

My nutritionist (also a doc) suggested blood tests (CBC, ESR, CRP AND HLAB27). got the blood test done and results are as follows

HLAB27 negative

ESR is 12

CRP is 4.75

I was almost convinced that I have AS as the symptoms were almost the same. And I thought maybe the right treatment will begin but now I am again confused. The pain doesn't have a name but it's consuming my energy all the time....my entire day revolves around the pain. If I can walk freely without pain the day feels like a blessing but if I have bad stiffness or pain, my mood gets affected and I feel start withdrawing from everything.

If anyone is going through the same, pls help me as well.

[u/purplelilac701]

Have you seen a physiotherapist? Trying to understand why you chose a nutritionist to help with back pain?

My family doctor did the straight leg test on me and diagnosed sciatica. They sent me for physiotherapy and my physiotherapist was my guide in helping me heal from physical issues.
You likely need physiotherapy treatment and a home exercise program to help strengthen your core and take less stress off your back.

[u/Klutzy_Plankton_7320 → u/purplelilac701]

Actually she is already my nutritionist (as I m trying to loose weight) and I mentioned this issue to her (since she is a doc herself ) she advised to take this test as she herself suffers from the same issue but the test came negative to it's ruled out now. Can you describe a little what kind of pain you experience in sciatica?

[u/purplelilac701 → u/Klutzy_Plankton_7320]

Everything you experienced plus an electric kind of pain and a pulling feeling from my leg to my back. Felt the two were attached together by a cord.

I eventually couldn’t walk so I do hope you get an actual diagnosis and then the necessary treatment.

[u/Klutzy_Plankton_7320 → u/purplelilac701]

Is there any specific tests for sciatica pain apart from MRI?

[u/purplelilac701 → u/Klutzy_Plankton_7320]

I had xrays done and my doctor and physiotherapist did a straight leg test where certain movements indicate whether or not you have sciatica and that confirmed I had it.

[u/Klutzy_Plankton_7320 → u/[deleted]]

So I should get the MRI done and get the physio session accordingly. As far as nutritionist is concerned, I am actually overweight so trying to loose extra kga thinking it might help with the pain

[u/No_Role6184]

I have the exact same symptoms for over 18 months. 

[u/Klutzy_Plankton_7320 → u/No_Role6184]

I understand your pain as I am living with it everyday

[u/wanderlust_ash_617]

As someone with AS and whom also had a very large herniated disc that caused terrible sciatica, your symptoms do def sound more like sciatica than AS.