Low Back Pain / Possible Prostate?

[my_back_hurts]

I've got two problems going on here that i don't think are related, but they both are happening together so perhaps. I'm going to see my family doctor next week but i figured I'd see if anyone could shed some light.

1.) I've had low back pain on and off for about 7 years now.  Usually it'll flare up for a couple days/weeks then goes away.  this current bout is the worst yet (currently going on about 8 weeks).  About 8 weeks ago i was exercising (i exercise regularly) and i hurt my low back. for the first 6 weeks or so i had nerve + muscle pain but after some physio/massage therapy the muscle pain is all but gone. I still have bad nerve pain though. i really feel it radiate from my back down through my hip flexors. If i stand too long it hurts, if i sit too long it hurts. the happy medium is to keep moving as much as possible. The funny thing is i do a lot of spin/rpm classes on a spin bike. during these classes i have zero pain in my back.. not sure if it's the leaning forward and that my legs are hanging down but i'm doing this daily... it's the best hour of my day for sure. Later on at times the pain is so intense i cant stand any longer and have to lay down. I already seen my doctor about this once and he basically told me to wait it out... sore backs suck, deal with it. He did not want to send me for an MRI or whatever.. despite having a note of recommendation from my physiotherapist. I've also been experiencing numbness in my feet, however this is not that often.

2.) started in the middle of all this, i believe to be a possible prostate problem. Every now and then when i go to urinate it'll be very... very slow. as if there's a kink in the hose. Here's the weird part that has me puzzled.. if i wait an hour and go again it's perfectly normal. It may be normal for days/weeks, and then all of a sudden i go again and it's dribbling out. I'm kind of thinking if it was a true prostate problem it would always be dribbling no? An enlarged prostate wouldn't grow / shrink in the matter of hours could it? One time in particular i woke up, slow stream and i eventually just got enough out that i was able to stop. i went back, layed down then 10 min later had the urge to go again... went and it was a normal flow. remained normal for another week or more before the slowness happened again. Not sure if this could be related to my back pain.. every now and then when i urinate i have slight discomfort up in my abdomen area. i wouldn't quite say it's pain.. but i definitely notice it. I'm 110% certain this is not an STD of any sorts... that much is impossible.

32 Male, Exercise regularly (6x week), I like to think i eat really healthily.. and drink tons of water. like 3L per day at least...

[my_back_hurts]

Thank you.  Since my post i've seen my family doctor who sent me to test my PSA levels as well a urinalysis.    He's also referred me to a Urologist.   I have not gotten my results yet,nor seen the urologist, however it seems we're on the same page for determining the problem.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a clinical examination it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possible causes to lower back pain could be related to spinal/ postural issues, degenerative disc disease, neuro-muscular issues, inflammations, degenerations, trauma/ injuries, referred pain from other regions etc. The discomfort reaching down to your legs could indicate a possible pressure on the nerve, though this is just a hypothesis and would require a physical examination and imaging studies to confirm the results.
               For the issues with the urine, prostate enlargement could present similarly, though other possibilities such as neuro-muscular issues, side effects of a few medications etc; may need to be considered as well. Also, benign enlargements of the prostate may be associated with back discomfort; while in somebody who is older one might have a reason to rule out malignant secondaries to the spine.
               In the current situation I would suggest consulting a urologist for a start and if advisable you might see an orthopedician for the back pain; or alternatively one might consider beginning with a primary care physician.
Hope this helps.

Take care!