Suggest Remedy For Sudden Tail Bone Pain In An Elderly Person With Haemochromatosis

Posted on Sat, 5 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 5 Dec 2015 Answered on

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 54 year old healthy 107 lb active female long runner and I am all of a sudden experiencing tail bone pain. Two weeks ago I awakened in the night with severe rectal pressure and felt the need to deficate but couldn't. I am a runner but haven't run in a week and have also not worked out in week so I didn't cause this by exercise . My only health condition is that I have hemochromotosis and habve phlebotomywhen my ferritin level rises to 100, 5/6 siblings have it and two brothers died of cancer, liver and bile duct this year. Do I need to do anythingor just ice and take Tylenol ? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
COnstipation , a sequelae of hemochromatosis

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. With hemochromatosis, this tailbone pain with urge to defecate but unable to is the sequelae of hemochromatosis in guise of constipation. With any liver cirrhosing pathology / metabolic profile derangement, constipation is a very common and inevitable sequelae and you need to modify your diet , lifestyle and use laxatives for the relief.

All you need to do is take some laxative like laxoberon, prefer fiber rich diet and take at least 3 litres of fluid in a day. Continue phlebotomies monthly , avoid iron supplements and use iron chelators like deferasirox or deferoxamine etc.

Nutshell constipation is causing it, laxatives and diet lifestyle will help. I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (10 minutes later)

Thank you very much for your opinion. I don't have any issues with constipation though. I have daily bowel movements. Does this change anything? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
management remains the same

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me

With bowel movements and constipation ruled out, back pain at tip of coccyx is still attributed to hemochromatosis. management remains the same. Supportive and symptomatic pain relief can be continued with tylenol or advil.

I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar