22F with back pain
Hello! I’ve been having flare ups of back and flank pain every month or so for the past year with no solution. I’ve ruled out kidney infection, ovarian cysts, uterine issues, and skeletal problems. Gynecologists and orthopedists haven’t found anything amiss. My blood and urinalysis results are always normal.
For reference, I’m 5’2, about 165 lbs. I have PCOS. I graduated from college last week and I’ve had a stressful past year. I was a stem major writing an undergraduate thesis, working a job as an elementary school teacher, planning my wedding, volunteering at my church, and I’m in the formation process for the Episcopalian priesthood. Lots of things going on in my life! I’m wondering if the back pain is a stress response.
The pain is on my low back right above my butt on either side of my back, not over my spine. It’s usually a dull ache that worsens with movement. Sitting, standing, laying down, kneeling, squatting all hurt. If I push myself too hard when I’m in pain, it’ll radiate down the top and side of my left thigh.
Sometimes ibuprofen helps the pain but not by much. I like doing yoga and I’ve tried some hip opening yoga but it hasn’t helped. In fact one time I wasn’t hurting until after I did yoga.
I’ve recently started working out three times a week, mostly with weights and a tiny bit of cardio. I’ve felt fine each time I work out and it doesn’t trigger a flare up. Last week I was moving into a new house so I didn’t have time to hit the gym, and this week I’ve been sick so I haven’t gone either. Both times that I didn’t go to the gym, my back got bad again.
I really have no idea what this could be. I’ve considered getting a cane to help me walk because it gets so bad sometimes. I’m glad exercising helps but I want to find out what the root is.