help - back spasms - advice pretty please!

bailey27
bailey27 Member Posts: 689
edited 18. Oct 2009, 02:16 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi
the last few weeks I have been getting the occasioanly back spams. Kind of like my back muscles (mainly the lat on the left side) are cramping up and I just simply cannot 'uncramp' them. I have been getting it today and where my arthrits symptoms usually imrpove throught the course of the day these just willnot stop.
I get it worse when I try to look over my left shoulder. The whole left side of my back just goes into spasm. I have avoided driving today a I simply just cannot turn to reverse or look over my shoulder without this occurring. It is so painful that I am literally momentarily paralised from it.
I have been getting cramps in my feet lately which I emntioned to my GP and he said it is a typical side effect from the prednisalone.

Please help!!!!

Comments

  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi.

    I use to get the spasms all round my back and under my rib cage. You could try those stick on heat pads you can get for arthritis. They heat up once you stick them to clothing, possibly a t shirt over the worst of the areas. I know you don't know when you are going to get the spasms but these pads will stay warm for hours and they may help you relax. Other than going to your gp I don't know what else to suggest. Other than keep warm - because I found that if I was sitting at the computer or similar, it would come on worse if I wasn't warm enough

    hope you find answer and relief soon

    joy
  • debatat
    debatat Member Posts: 659
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, your gp can prescribe muscle relaxants to help. I take methocarbamol and it really helps. I know how painful it is. Give your gp a call.

    Deb
  • mistywillow
    mistywillow Member Posts: 711
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Have you tried having a back massage? Sometimes it can really help to loosen things up. I haven't had one for such a long time, but they certainly helped me. I have a heat pad which is a life saver for me, it is just like a very small electric blanket.You might also find that gentle stretching exercises help. Perhaps your GP has a leaflet on back exercises if you do not currently have a physiotherapist to show you some.
    Gillx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bailey,

    I am sorry you have this but I think its very common and something your gp can help you with. They can give you muscle relaxants and sometimes stretching exercises help. Mine now are unlocked by trigger point jabs from the pain clinic, so if you are under a pain clinic its well worth asking. I hope you soon get some relief. Take care Cris

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