Pain in the butt - Can't sit down

After reading several posts, I am here to say I have a similar yet so different type of problem. The similarities are that it started in my butt crack, however, it involves the surrounding skin and it's the skin that is so painful. It feels like the cheeks don't separate when I sit down and that I am actually sitting on the tissue ( folds) at the coccyx area. This leads to skin breakdowns and has bleed at times. I have tried using large bandaids to try and keep the crack open but that doesn't work. I have tried other things to try to open that area when I sit but nothing has worked.. The only thing that gives me any relief is sitting on a donut shaped pillow but that relief is short lived because it starts hurting my buttocks. I am having to sit on one cheek or lay on my side when in bed. I am hoping that I can find something that will help this but I am also very concerned that with age that area will produce a decubiti and will be very hard to heal. I am 71 years old now and still active but there will come a time when that will change. hopefully not for a long time but still I have to be realistic. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this and if so I am open for suggestions. thank you

@jeanie26 perhaps this may be a skin problem related to nerves? If so, Consider seeing a dermatologist. Extreme nerve irritation can cause skin changes and affect the amount of blood flow to an area (e.g. in CRPS; I’m not implying you have that but nerves do affect circulation). To that end, aerobic exercise may help nerves get better blood flow. I personally like the stair master but walking, treadmill, elliptical might be good. Dermatologists may have some skin care suggestions or products. Also, if you are concerned about something like Pilondial cysts (I wasn’t sure about the term you used) or such that can occur in that area it is possible to get on antibiotics like minocyclin long term - which could give you peace of mind. You’d need to speak with your doctor about that.

Please tell me more as seven years of pain due to SI driving me nuts

I had back surgery and ever since I have had severe pain in my buttocks, to the point of crying. It is a burning pain and I too have trouble sitting. Any suggestions would be helpful

@schony1087 there is a long thread with many comments in this section and also in the "pudendal nerve entrapment" thread of chronic pain. There may be some suggestions there that will help you. Unfortunately, those looking for a quick fix via surgery generally are not pleased to find out that due to the highly vascular and innervated area, surgery is often not an option. In fact, you're indicating surgery may have caused an issue. However, the areas are soft tissue and stretching, exercise, the right meds and supplements for pain and the right type of body work (ultrasound / myofascial techniques, etc.) might help you out tremendously. I've made quite a few detailed posts myself. My pain has gone way down over time so it can get better. Please look over those two threads extensively.

I also have burning buttock pain. I used Topamax for a few years then it quit working. I had been to the point where the burning pain was so bad I was also crying and pacing the floor. Now I take Gabepentin. It helps but doesn't totally get rid of the pain.

@schony1087 Your back and hips are tied together by fascia, and when one gets overly tight it will affect the other. Surgery also creates fascial scar tissue that will tie into everything making it tighter. Myofascial release can help that with a certified MFR therapist. Here is some related information.

Here is a link that explains some of the issues that happen when the pelvis is tweaked and how physical therapy can help. https://trainingandrehabilitation.com/identify-treat-lumbar-plexus-compression-syndrome-lpcs/

Myofascial release might be able to help and it is mentioned in the article about lumbar plexus compression syndrome.

Here is our discussion on MFR.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

I have pain in mt glutes and its beem going on for ten years. Drs. blame fibromyalgia, arthritis, and bursitis.

I am also suffering with pain 24/7 due to Bursitis. Have you tried Cortisone Shots ? They do not work for me but I have a friend they do work for. She has been suffering for a year and got a shot two works ago, and says she finally got her life back.

@ailean55 I have all those indications on my MRI’s including lower lumbar DDD, hip arthritis, torn labrum cartilage on both sides , but not fibromyalgia. However, I found I was able to get rid of almost all my pain with stretching, exercise and the right supplements including serrapeptidase and nattokinase enzymes. Some hemp seed oil (I. e. Healthy fats) cut pain and I also take some resveratrol / quercetin / turmeric, a small amount of rutin & multivitamins extra vitamin c to the maximum recommended level and some extra magnesium. Be sure to check blood pressure as some supplements can make it go up or down and don’t use the enzymes if you are already on anticoagulants or have a bleeding disorder. I have several posts where I described specific exercises I do either in this thread or in the pudendal neuralgia thread. The enzymes were a game changer for me and my muscles started feeling less ropey with less scar tissue after 2-3 months. Then you can cut back on the enzymes (but to work properly I do believe you need to stretch and exercise (or walk)) some for best results. At least, that was my experience. Now I have much less sitting pain and much less stiffness from myofascial pain. PM me if you want a detailed protocol beyond the list I gave you.