Gloria - glodavidson@comcast.net
Original posting, 2004-01-11:
I am wondering if any of you noticed your tailbone pain start with spinning classes [see below]. In January 2000, I was a regular cyclist and enjoyed spinning classes four times per week until I noticed that every time I got up off the bike, my tailbone hurt badly. I began doing the classes standing only and eventually had to give them up completely. I noticed my glutes were hurting and constantly tight as well.
My internist gave me an injection of Lidocaine and Depomedrol which helped me to be pain free for 6-8 months. However the pain came back. I was jogging for exercise and had given up the bike completely. Over the next three years I sought help from a chiropractor, rolfer, 2 physical therapists, and an acupuncturist, with slight short-term improvements.
I got great relief with three additional injections from my Internist and he eventually sent me to a pain specialist. This doctor agreed with the coccydynia diagnosis and said I also had piriformis syndrome. I have received bilateral injections of Botox in my piriformis muscles which have alleviated the constant spasms and my muscles have relaxed tremendously. I am seeing a physical therapist who specialized in the lower back. I have only seen her once so don't know yet if what we are doing will reduce pain. I still have terrible tailbone pain and am taking Ultracet daily. I have stopped all exercising for the time being, but an miserable because of it.
Has anyone had a situation similar to mine?
Please write.
[Note taken from the web: Spinning is a high-energy, indoor stationary cycling program where the instructor takes participants on a "virtual" outdoor road race complete with hills, valleys, and finish lines.]
Update, 2005-03-20:
I am excited to share with you coccydynia sufferers who got this painful problem from biking or spinning classes, like I did, what has finally given me real pain relief.
A ganglion impar steroid injection. I learned about this procedure from this web site (paper by Jean-Yves Maigne). The ganglion impar injection first gave me just six hours of complete relief. But once the pain from the procedure healed (about a week to 10 days), and the steroid became effective, I realized I was completely pain free. After having coccydynia for five years, I am amazed at how nice it is to sit comfortably.
Now my doctor is exploring the most conservative approach to making this nerve block permanent if the pain returns. I will update you with the results of that procedure. Never give up hope, even though it may take a while to find your answer to your coccydynia.