Lower back pain, spinal tumor concern

[trent45]

After experiencing knee pain mainly in my right knee but also somewhat in my left for roughly three months (pain that I thought was just standard runner's knee), I started to experience tightness and pain in my lower back. This pain was very low, centralized in the area just above my buttocks. I also started to experience the sensation of pins and needles in both legs more frequently. I saw an orthopedist today who said he thought it was probably either a strained lower back (since my lower back seemed extremely tight) or sciatica. We were able to do X-rays, which showed only that I had a straight back, but did not indicate the presence of a tumor. To be on the safe side/to get a clearer picture of things, I have an MRI scheduled for next week.

In the meantime, I have been reading online about the potential causes of my symptoms, and I am extremely concerned that my symptoms do in fact seem to reflect those of spinal tumor back pain -- the tingling in my legs, and pain that does seem to be somewhat worse when lying down/going to sleep. I also tend to urinate frequently, though that has always been the case. The pain is certainly not severe or particularly debilitating -- I can preform essentially any activity, including running, without too much of an issue. Going for long walks seems to help. Stretching out the back based on yoga poses I found online seemed to help initially, but now I'm not so sure it's effective (though I haven't been keeping up with them).

I just wanted to see if anyone felt I had legitimate cause for concern, or whether a spinal tumor was out of the realm of possibility.

Many thanks!

[bigsissie]

I can't say that you don't have a tumor but I think you have a bulging disc that is more than likely hitting the thecal sac causing mild compression. Bulging disc when pressing on the nerve can cause all of your symptoms. You back will feel tight, you will get pins and needles in your legs like they are falling asleep and sometimes changing positions helps sometimes not, in certain positions you feel as if you are pressing on a lemon or orange on lower back almost like something is wadded up and you are leaning on it but nothing is there. Bending/stretching does sometimes help relieve the pressure because it allows blood to flow into the pinched area. Due to the pain I would say your nerve is becoming irritated and laying flat aggravates it. And that the bulge is a mild one.

All I know is what I have been through. I started having the tightness in my back and when I woke up in the morning bending was sometimes impossible. After being up for a while it got better and I would have no problems until the next morning, I should also mention that the job I had at this time required heavy lifting. It progressed to the pins and needles occasionally and I started going to the dr because of frequent urination ( I thought I had a UTI )
I was actually diagnosed with UTIs for about two years before my dr told me I had arthritis and put me on meds for that. He did NO TESTING whatsoever.   I had pain off and on that moved around from my back, hips, knees etc until my back completely gave and I discovered I had 3 herniated disc. By then it was too late I had nerve damage.  Best wishes, Sissie

[trent45]

Thank you, Sissie! That diagram looks extremely helpful.

The waiting this week for the MRI and then the results will be extremely difficult. Can I ask if you think, based on the symptoms I've described, if a tumor is likely? One thing that's promising, I think, is that the pain isn't severe (it's moderate at its worse) and doesn't prevent me from doing other activities.

[bigsissie]

Your problems can also be caused by herniated or bulging disc that are not shown on xrays. There is a picture on my profile that is a Nerve function chart that you should look at. It sounds like you may have a bulging disc in your low back causing your problems. Laying down can cause pressure on the nerve and cause the pain to worsen. Don't borrow trouble as the old saying goes. Wait for your mri results and go from there. Best wishes, Sissie

[trent45]

I should also mention that I lead a quite sedentary lifestyle despite being otherwise healthy/in shape and have poor posture. I realize this might help to explain the back pain, but I worry about the other neurological symptoms described above that seem to suggest something like a tumor.