Ongoing lower back pain/tingling in feet and lower legs

[Pdt321 3]

Thanks for checking out my post.  Let me preface this with the fact that I have experienced episodes of HA on and off for a good amount of years.  About 6 years ago I spiraled out of control with it but have since maintained very well thanks to CBT, therapist, and other self help tactics.  I’ve had brief bouts here and there but for the most part have done very well.  It’s a constant battle as I’m sure most of you are aware of.

in 2017 I found out I had an annular tear of a disc in my L5-S1 vertebrae which caused me some issues.  My PCP told me there is nothing that can be done about these and basically I’d have to live with degenerative disc disease.  I saw a chiropractor during this time.  
 

Fast forward to mid-January of this year and I started feeling a slight wincing pain when I would go to the bathroom to bear down.  The pain would be in my lower back/spine area but the right side of my spine.  It only hurt when I engaged the bathroom muscles.  Then I woke up on a Sunday and could barely move with lower back pain.  The few days before I had been working out, also lifting some heavy household items, playing with my young kids, etc.  Any of these could have been the culprit to aggravate what had happened.  I tried stretches, heat, ice, and rest but nothing seemed to help very much.  Ibuprofen seemed to reduce the pain but it didn’t make it fully go away.  It took me about 3-4 weeks for gain most of my mobility back and not have pain a lot when bending, etc.  the wincing pain when going to the bathroom was with me all along and just subsided a week ago (thankfully).  So I’ve dealt with this for several weeks and am thankful that wincing pain is gone.  It has scared me a quite a due to the length of time it I have been dealing with this. 
 

I started getting tingling and numbness feelings in my lower legs and feet throughout the “healing process”.  The tingling feels like when your legs start to fall asleep.  I don’t get true numbness but a sense of numbing.  Sometimes it feels like cold sparks going off in the bottom of my legs.  I know herniated discs and pinched nerves can cause all kinds of issues but I can’t get out of my head that this is some sort of cancer or tumor causing all of this.  I know, it’s likely irrational with the history of the lower back disc but I’ve never had pain, numbness, and tightness go on for this long.  I also know that cancer doesn’t get better and the wincing pain when going to the restroom is indeed gone.  My flexibility is way down because of the injury and trying to protect my back.  I now have a tight low back with numbness in my feet after I get up and get moving with my day or if I sit for any amount of time.  I’ve tried to do limited research because I try to avoid Dr. Google but I have found that aggravated disc injuries can take weeks to months to heal.  I don’t want to go back to the doctor or chiropractor because of covid but I think I’m going to have to give a visit.  Does anyone have experience with low back pain, herniated discs, or going to a chiropractor during covid?

 

Thanks for reading!

[BrightPhoenix 78]

I have a lot of your issues - I don't have that disc issue but I do have a lot of those other problems - tight legs, occasional pain - nerve pain going up and down my legs, etc.  A lot of these issues have been addressed because I've been seeing a PT for the past 3 months.

You shouldn't limit your visits to the doctor just because of COVID - what's the point of avoiding COVID if you're going to get sick from another condition that is left neglected?

From what I can tell, this sounds like an issue with either your hips or your glutes.  What you need to see for sure is a *physical therapist* - those types of people can help you get those muscles back into shape and also take a look at your lower back to see if there is anything going on.  You will need to see your GP/PCP for a referral but I think that's really your best bet in fixing this up.  Self-diagnosing can help but you're not the expert, the doctors are, and as you can tell just leaving it alone hasn't made things much better for you, right?

I think a lot of your problems are being caused by existing problems that exacerbate and cause *new* problems with your legs, butt, back.  The problems you're having are interconnected, but I think if you can start getting it worked on you can get yourself back on track.

Please take care of yourself and stay safe.

[Pdt321 3]

I appreciate your reply and the insight given.  What you said makes a lot of sense.  I have scheduled with my PCP to discuss the back issue and also get a yearly physical.  I will follow the guidance of my Doctor to take the appropriate course of action.  

[Jessi 23]

I had a herniated disk once.  For all I know I may still have it, but I was once told they can go away.  
Anyways, my feet will tingle almost every time I’m using my elliptical.  I have no idea why.  Do you think it could possibly be your sciatic nerve?  That can affect both sides.  
I’ve been to the chiro during the covid outbreak. As long as they’re taking the precautions they’re supposed to, it will be fine to visit.  

[MARC 429]

Many years ago i fell and my back began bothering me when I bent forward and I got a bruise around the center of my back. It hurt pretty bad. I called my physician and he told me to go to the ER. I went to the ER and they xrayed my back. Next thing you know I was admitted as an inpatient for 6 days for observation as I had a compression fracture of the vertebrae. I had to wear a back brace for a few months and it healed and I was told by the orthopaedic physician named Jayasanker Menon that I should have no further issues and so far I have not.