Long story short, I was snowmobiling Saturday and I hit some ice and put my snowmobile on its side with my leg caught under it and my butt and head hitting the ice very hard. My tailbone pain quickly overtook my head pain and today it is not any better.

I have checked my butt out and I don't have any bruising but the pain is horrid when I go from a laying down or sitting position. I can walk fairly easily but there will be no sit ups in the near future for me from what I can tell. I did not go have it looked at so I am just assuming it is broken. Everyone I have spoken with says there is nothing that can be done for a broken tailbone anyways.

That being said I can't wait to get back on my snowmobile even if it is just a very slow and non bumpy ride.

Anyone have any advice for me? How long does this take to heal, did you go to the dr for dx, what exercises do you recommend besides walking etc.

You might want to go to the doctor anyway to make sure. It may not be broken, which doesn't make it any less painful!! About 5 years ago, I was thrown off a horse and I landed right on my tailbone. It didn't break, but it was pushed out of place. I could barely walk. I went to the doctor and she set me up for physical therapy. The therapist showed me that with the tailbone out of place, it through my hip out of whack, too, so walking was tough. Through a variety of stretches and exercises, she was able to get it back to "normal". I still have trouble with it, but I know what to do about it now when it goes out.

Good luck. I feel for you. OUCH!

Sounds like coccydynia (pain in the coccyx or tailbone)! I fell down some stairs and had exactly the same thing. The pain was worse than anything I've felt before. Especially moving from sitting to standing, as you said.

My symptoms were not as serious as Diane's -- just pain but not out of whack -- and I did not go to the doctor. My memory is that I learned all they could possibly do for it was xray it and then give painkillers. Hard to do anything for that bone. Again, I did not have trouble moving.

It took several months for the pain to completely go away, but it was a gradual reduction in pain.

I also got a cushion with a hole in it to help ease the pain.

If you google coccydynia, you'll learn more, I'm sure. You certainly could go to a doctor, and that is probably advised. But after your research, if it's "only" pain, you may feel you can deal with it on your own...

Interestingly, the fall and the pain and the subsequent lowered mobility (I spent a lot of time lying on my tummy for a few days) was one of the big factors in getting my weight loss started.

Good luck!

slashnl~ I do have some lower back pain but I always have problems in that area so I figured I just aggravated it, I hope nothing is out of whack!

Heather~ I think I should go get the butt pillow

Lauralyn -- It should help some! (get the one with the cutout at the back, not the "donut") And then just grit your teeth before you stand up!

I had no idea there was another kind besides the donut shape, thanks for the tip! I hear you about gritting the teeth, I babysit during the day and my nephew who is one that I babysit started grunting like I do when I get up lol

I would see a doctor just in case at least.

I broke my tailbone in childbirth the last time and it is very slow to heal and nearly 6 years later there are still some sitting positions that give me a lot of pain, which I don't realize until I got to stand up and then WOWZERS!

As did I- well.. we suspect anyway... and there was no real "birthing". After failing at being induced and being in labor for 24 hours, but no dilation, I had to have an emergency C section as my heart rate was going up (I was in alot of pain, I had back labor.. she was facing the wrong way!) and her heart rate was dropping!

It's a good thing I never got to the pushing part- the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck three times! Good thing she had some big cheeks!

We are not entirely sure how the tailbone was broken, but my aunt who is an RN said considering how large she was (9lbs, 3 oz) and that she was facing the wrong way, it is entirely possible.

4 years later, when my blood pressure spikes for whatever reason, my butt throbs

My mom also broke her tailbone failing down icy steps. Doctor said there was nothing he could do... and she bought a butt pillow too.

Stupid tailbone....

LR

When it happened to me, I remember reading that it was common in childbirth. I never knew!

fell down a flight of stairs in 1998 and mine still bothers me sometimes. never went to the doctor, i was a teenager and i didn't have insurance. i regret that i didn't go. i can't believe after 12 years it still bothers me sometimes. man that really sucked and it took a long time to heal. good luck and i say go in anyway! you never know.

I am thinking I should go in and get checked just in case. I babysit during the day but I think maybe after the little ones go home today I will go have it looked at.

Let us know what you find out!

Ya, let us know. I hope it is nothing!! Sounds like no matter what, it will take awhile to heal. Sorry!

I don't know if you're open to homeopathic remedies, but you might try Arnica Montana at a fairly high potency. If you do take it, it's best to avoid food and water for 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after. Also, if you have coffee or strong things like mint, it can cancel out the effects. I really like homeopathy but I know some people think it's a bunch of hogwash.