Sudden debilitating lower back hip and pelvic pain

I hope you'll come back with an update. I've been dealing with similar symptoms for over two years. I've seen doctors, physical therapists, a chiropractor, had an x-ray, and MRI without relief, so here I am searching for an answer.

I can have okay weeks (meaning it still hurts with certain movements like long steps or strides, and always after laying down etc.) and I have hard weeks (where it seems any movement causes spasms in the same area. Those weeks I have a hard time sitting normally for extended periods of time, or at all.)

Hi. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. MRI found stenosis and dis degeneration in L4-5 and S1. Methyl prednisone and rest worked. Then recently I reinjured at the gym so I did an epidural and now physical therapy. It’s all due to the nerve inflammation and impingement so there are some things I cannot do like exercise where I hinge forward. I’m trying core strengthening and PT in lieu of surgery for now. The epidural definitely helped but it’s buying me time for the PT to work. There’s an app called curable that I’m liking too. All about pain and the brain.

Sounds like a herniated disk, my symptoms were the same. I did heal over time

yes, that was my thought - a herniated disc. People - don't mess around - go the hospital or at least urgent care and ask them to order an MRI. Its okay to play around with trying to strengthen your core after the crisis has passed - but if you have any numbness, tingling, or shooting pain you might be further and permanently damaging your nerve root. So be sure to go to a good orthopedic surgeon - but a doctor, bare minimum!

This seems like Polymialgia Rheumatica to me. It happened to me suddenly, and my rheumatologist diagnosed PMR. The first dose of methylprednisolone eased the pain, but it left me with a daily weakness in my spine. I have since been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, scoliosis and degenerative arthritis in my spine.
These ailments were there prior, but they were silent.
You need to see a rheumatologist and follow the advice, treatment offered. Good luck!

I'm so sorry that you are going through all of that pain, and I know what it feels like. I get pain in the same areas and for me, it is likely caused by disc herniation at L2-L3 in my lumbar spine. Of course, there can be other causes, but since you mentioned that it happened suddenly, you might want to get an MRI of your lumbar spine.

For me, though, it's also possible it could be my SI joint, but I personally think my episodes are due to my disc because to the severe nerve pain that also reaches the side of my knee at times. I also have a problem standing and walking and if standing or walking for more than a few minutes, I get pain that radiates to both of my hips. My right side is the worst, but I have also had times where the nerve pain switched sides, which also made me think my disc was moving around.

Sounds a lot like me.

With it including the pelvis, would definitely get an MRI. Hips and back can be almost anything from spine related to gluteal tendinopathy. Muscles and tendons can get inflamed; nerve can be pinched or touched by disc. Usually, electric shock feeling is more nerve. With pelvis included, I would get imaging. Might be more of a gynecological problem affecting your lower back.