Pain in Legs and Back Since Having My Baby.

Updated on May 07, 2008
S.M. asks from Clovis, CA
18 answers

I was wondering if anyone can help me.I gave birth to my son almost 11 months ago and almost everyday since then I have been having severe leg pains starting at my hip and low back area and shooting down to my feet. I think its related to my back but Im not sure yet.I DID have an epidural with the labor and I have heard of people having back pain since their epidural.Everything I read sounds like I have a herniated disk or fibromyalgia. I am not sure what is going on I am in the process of seeing a chiropractor, I am unable to take certain meds because Im still breastfeeding...I cant go on like this much longer, I am only 28 years old and should still feel good at this age,but Im in pain everyday. Its getting to where I cant even pick up my son because it hurts, please help. Thanks

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So What Happened?

My xrays show a first degree slippage in the L5-S1 disks of my back.Possibly from my pregnancy.I've been to the chiropractor and physical therapy both twice and they only seem to be helping a little,I am signed up to take a back excersize class,if all this doesnt help me my doctor said he will refer me to a spine speacialist.Thanks for your help everyone.

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C.F.

answers from Modesto on

Hi,
I do massage therapy, and it sounds like sciatic. Have you tried massage? I also have a topical analgesic (biofreeze) that works real well.
Cynthia
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S.B.

answers from Sacramento on

sciatic sounds inflamed. they had to put me on a steroid after birth of #1

1 mom found this helpful
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N.R.

answers from Redding on

Dear Shandon,

Your mention of fibromyalgia caught my eye. I have to share this story with you. I have a friend who is 36 years old. She had been dealing with fibromyalgia and a whole list of other health problems for years. Like you, she was always in pain. She was trying everything and anything to relieve the pain. About 8 months ago she stumbled onto this website, www.maxgxl.com/maxmagic and watched the video. She tried the product and now wouldn't be caught without it. It worked wonders for her!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.F.

answers from Stockton on

You poor thing. Get thee to a doctor now! Daily pain is just a horrendous way to live. But, you need to get diagnosed from a real doctor instead of just reading about your symptoms on the net and asking us. And, not to disparage chiropractors, but you need to see someone else. You may still need to use one, but just cast a wider net.

My uncle has had such horrible back troubles his whole life. Seven surgeries later he is finally doing pretty well. Think long and hard before having surgery if it comes to that. I really hope it doesn't.

Best of luck to you!!!

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J.G.

answers from Bakersfield on

Shandon,

Consider checking into acupuncture. I have had great success with back spasms. I see Dr. Zen at Bakersfield Acupuncture and Herbs. He is thorough and very knowledgeable. He studied in China for several years. I hope this helps.

J.

P.S. Even my teenage son has gone to him and loves the acupuncture followed by a light massage.

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W.H.

answers from Stockton on

I would start with a chiropractor. I didn't have an epidural with either of my children so I don't know what the effects are from that. Sure sounds like an adjustment would help you out. Good luck!

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K.P.

answers from San Francisco on

I have a friend from work who has leg pains all the time. I forwarded her your request. I hope she writes you. Good luck to you ! K.

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D.H.

answers from San Francisco on

You need to talk to your ob-gyn immediately and get a referral to a neurologist for evaluation. Do not wait, call today and explain your situation. He/she can help you get relief.

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K.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I, too, had pain after my oldest. Dibilatating pain in my hip and low back. The worst was not being able to pick him up. I would have to swing him and hope for the best to get him up into a shopping cart. What does your doctor say? That is most important. After two years of pain, I was cured by acupuncture. Worth a try I guess.

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J.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Shandon~

It sounds like you are having trouble with your sciatic nerve. That could be either from a herniated disk, or a condition called sciatica. I would suggest going to an orthopaedic physician. They can prescribe physical therapy would should help to relieve your symptoms. Good luck!!

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W.M.

answers from Sacramento on

Shandon,
I have a wonderful chiropractor that I use in Roseville if you live near there.......I have sciatica that runs down on my right leg, some times the pain feels like the nerve is on fire. If you delivered on your back that messed my back up pretty good for a while. I had to have the end of my spine straightened out because it went into a pigs tail
shape. Try your side, or using a squat bar next time, no
back trouble with either one that way.
W.

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B.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Shandon,

I had this happen as well. I finally had an MRI done and they said that it was a disk problem but there isn't anything they can really do about it. The best advice is to ask your doctor to go to physical therapy. It really helps but you have to strengthen your body again after the birth. The epidural most likely had nothing to do with it because I didn't have one and I suffered the same pain. I had to finally take some meds because my feet went numb. A chiropractor is great if you get the right one and massages if you can. Hang in there because it does get better, especially after the baby begins to walk on there own. My back was bad because I was constantly holding my son and taking him in and out of the car. Try to get your husband to carry him as much as possible until you feel better. I'm now on my second pregnancy and the pain is still there but not nearly as bad this time.

Good Luck!

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Dear Shandon,
I am so sorry you are having such discomfort just when you really need to be up and running with two kids.
I would advise definitely starting with a chiropractor.
I had to go to one during and after both of my pregnancies and they really helped me. I am very small framed and the weight of my babies and all that threw me completely out of whack. It affected my back, my hips, even my knees. Then after the babies were born, my tummy got smaller, my boobs got huge and I was packing around the baby weight with my arms instead of my belly and back so I was in a lot of pain while my body adjusted.
Get to a really good chiro. They will be able to tell just by feeling your spine and have you laying down to see if your hip is rotated out or something. A good chiro will tell you if he can adjust you or if you need a full-on M.D.
Start there and I hope it will help as it is the least invasive and it can really get you back in alignment and out of pain without drugs.

Good luck!

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G.K.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Shandon,

I agree with Elizabeth. It sounds like sciatica--a fancy term for a pinched nerve in your back. The sciatic nerve goes from your low back down the back of your legs. When it gets compressed ("pinched") it hurts like heck and often feels numb and tingly. I've had several episodes of sciatic pain in the low back, hips, butt, and down the back of the legs (including after childbirth--I believe it was from "pushing" for an hour and a half while my son was stuck in the birth canal.) After giving birth it resolved itself, but in the past I've done physical therapy (exercises, stretching, ultrasound therapy, etc.) Good news is that sciatica is very treatable with physical therapy.

That being said, it would be a good idea to see your regular physician to rule out a herniated disc before embarking on any treatment, especially with a chiropractor. Your regular physician can tell you what treatment will be appropriate.

In the meantime, you might want to try some ice packs to numb the area for some relief. That always helps me. If you are desperate, there are also rub-on analgesic creams like aspercream, tiger balm, etc. I personally like Salon-pas, which are patches that stick on. They are minty-smelling and not as bad as some of the creams.

Good luck!

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J.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Shandon,
Go see your general doctor! I lived with back pain (but not the sciatica leg pain) for too long after the birth of my son. I was a wreck and it made me grumpy with everyone. My doctor sent me to a physical therapist. Within FOUR DAYS of stretches, I was functional again! A month later, a new me. .

I also had an epidural. I do have occasional pain/discomfort in my tailbone. Epidural related? Birth related? Tired mom related? Who knows. But my back is pain free.

Please, go to see your doctor. You don't need to live in pain. Your kids want the happy, pain free you.

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V.T.

answers from Redding on

I would recommend that you see an osteopath ... unlike a chiropractor, they work on the neurologic, muscle and skeletal structures. I had excellent results after receiving my fifth whiplash recently, which destabilized two of the vertebrae in my neck and flared up arthritis in my spine. I was a mess with muscle spasms, pinched nerves, etc. Regular visits to my osteopath have restored me to a place of comfort that I've not known for many years!

I'll definitely pursue any future needs with an osteopath over chiropractic.

V. T

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E.V.

answers from San Francisco on

Sorry to hear you are in pain. Sounds exactly like Sciatica. Compression of one of your 5 nerve roots. I had it during pregnancy and it went away after delivery. I know there are certain stretches you can do to relieve the pain and physical therapy may be a good idea. Acupuncture is a great healing tool as well. Good luck.

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L.D.

answers from Modesto on

Having worked for a back surgeon...please, please see an orthopedist or neurosurgeon who specializes in back pain and get a proper diagnosis before doing ANY treatment. Any legitimate chiropracter will suggest you do the same before treating you. It does not mean that you have to have back surgery. However you do need to know your medical condition, whether it is treatable now (while breast feeding) or later (after breastfeeding)and what different methods there are to treat your problem. It does sound like an inflammed or bulging or herniated disc. Often this can be helped with oral antiinflammatories, cortisone injections and/ or physical therapy. Sometimes chiropractics can substitute for PT if the doctor and the chiropracter understand each other. If your disc is actually herniated (it may or may not be)and you do not know it, treatment can actually injure you further. Please get a proper diagnosis so that you can make an informed decision about what treatment to pursue. Often your OBGYN or primary care doctor can recommend a reputable specialist. Good luck!

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