@prarysky I’ve had lower back pain since 2022 after a COVID infection, followed one month later by Influenza A. I was a teacher at the time, was freshly vaxxed for both, still masking, but hey, a girl’s gotta eat during the 8-hour day, and kids come to school so sick.

The back pain afterward was terrible. I figured all those high fevers “settled” into my back. We know better now.

Then in 2024, I broke my ankle (not OP related, according to my orthopedic surgeon). I was off my feet for six weeks, then wore that boot, and the pain was excruciating. I had PT for both my back and ankle.

First rheumatoid diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis without so much as a single MRI to my lumbar spine. He put me on methotrexate and SKYRIZI. Second rheumatologist did an MRI; turns out, there is no current or past indication of inflammatory arthritis in my lower back. Just Tarlov cysts, with a hemangioma as a side dish.

I’m managing the symptoms so much better now (again, thanks to Dr. Google), BUT, I do have weakness in my left leg as a result. So somewhere, something is hitting a nerve. The thigh pain used to wake me at night, but with stretching, exercise, heat at night and ice in the morning, I’m doing so much better without medication. (First doc tossed sleeping pills at me, and when they didn’t work, told me to take more. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

I need to treat both the cysts and OP together, but I am getting zero guidance as to how to do it. I’m holding my own, but it’s a little scary out here.

I’m glad you didn’t have symptoms from your cysts. My research shows me that is the case for many, and I’m happy you have no pain or discomfort.