I know some of you have worked in the medical fields so here's my question-Last week, On Thursday, I slipped and fell down the stairs at my house. I took the brunt of the fall on my back side-which frankly I thought was sufficently padded but apparently not. It continues to bother me a great deal. Sitting is still uncomfortable, driveing my car is out and out painful. Long hot soaky baths and ibuprophen help somewhat. I'm beginning to wonder if I could have cracked or even broken my tail bone, and if so, would there be any sense in going to the doctor-I mean, what could they do?

Then there is the embaressment factor-Why is it that if I felt I had possably broken an ankle, or a wrist I would have had it treated allready? somehow, I'm not wanting to go in and confess I think I broke my posterior, and yet, most people I've talked to said they've had a similar injury, falling on steps or ice. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-- Kelly (homearts2002@yahoo.com), January 15, 2002

Answers

Get to a doctor ASAP! The pain is terrible and it won't get better without some medical help. As a child, I injured myself that way and my parents never took me to a doctor.(You went to a doctor when you were dying, never before!) I was miserable for months and sometimes, after 50 years, that area still gives me twinges.

-- Ardie /WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002.

My mother slipped and fell at work a few years ago, and cracked her "tailbone". The doctor gave her some pain medication, tylenol with codeine (which made her sick) and had her sit on one of those pillows with a hole in the middle (like a doughnut). They said there wasn't much more they could do. It was about 6 weeks before it was better, but she was able to move around a little better after 2 weeks. I would go to the doctor just to confirm whether it is broken, or cracked.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 15, 2002.

Try a chiropractor, he's helped my same problem. Also you can by a foam rubber oval pillow with a long hole in the middle at the drug store. It's lifesaver.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002.

Kelly, I did the same thing about 20 years ago. I bounced all the way down the steps to our basement. I didn't go to the dr. as I knew there wasn't anything they could do. Sitting was very painful for many weeks. Now I sometimes wonder if that couldn't have played a part in my back problems now. As an LPN, my advice is the same as everyone elses! Go to the dr.!!! And let us know what he/she says.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), January 15, 2002.

Kelly, just to add to what the others have said, but more on the embarrassment. The doctor is a professional who's seen it all. You may feel at ease, since our bodies are "wonderfully and fearfully made." I am a body, and every part has an important function and is to be appreciated as God's gift. (From your comment, I'm just assuming some things from my own struggles. Sorry if I missed the point.)

-- Randal in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), January 15, 2002.

Kelly I missed the embarrassment part in my answer! Sorry! To tell you the truth, after having 4 kids, not much about going to the doctor embarasses me too much. They have indeed seen it all... And really how many of us have perfect bodies? Even thin people usually have something they don't like about themselves. So I don't worry about that part of it.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 15, 2002.

Kelly I did this while 9 mo pregnant and boy was it painful--not initially but within a week I was in excruciating pain and couldn't (wouldn't) take anything for it.

I was told to lay on ice paks and take ibuprofen. I had to be off my feet but that may also have been because of the pregnancy.I don't believe they can "do" anything for a broken coccyx. I believe the advice was it would heal by itself. My condolences--I 've been there. Ouch.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002.