just been diagnosed with arthritus of the spine

margie1
margie1 Member Posts: 57
edited 8. May 2013, 10:08 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi

I just want to introduce myself as i am new today having just been diagnosed today at the hospital. I think it hasn't sunk in yet, bit of a shock. I am hoping to get advice and any information I can,
My name is margaret and I am 51yrs old, only just, my birthday present was my dignosis but never mind lol I have arthritus of the spine in my lumbar region or lower back but i do get some pain in the top of my spine, they only scanned my lower back for some reason. I wont go on as i dont want to sound boring but if anyone can tell me what happens next? i will be very grateful, i was just told to carry on taking the painkillers and to see my gp if i dont improve and may arrange physio. thanks marg :(

Comments

  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Marg,

    Nice to meet you and you will find this forum helpful and friendly. i think you will get more replies if you post this on the Living With Arthritis forum.

    Anne
  • miss_l
    miss_l Member Posts: 138
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi welcome!

    Im 28 and have recently had a hip replacement and now am suffering with OA in my spine.
    Like you i've been given painkillers and am seeing a physio whic is painful but helps for a few days!

    Im not sure what i else i can say! Im sure more knowldegeable people will be along soon!
    x
  • annettepeter
    annettepeter Member Posts: 1
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    like wise i have a problem with spine having had a stroke 2 and half years ago had a mri scan found to have a lower back gone with arthritis 5 discs bagly damaged and it spreading had an epijurial 2 no avail specilist says cannot do anything else seen pain clnic tried patches they just nearly killed me off having diabetes as well not helping been off work now 3 months lokks like cannot go back 2 me job as manual work wat now
  • denpen
    denpen Member Posts: 389
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Marg
    Yeah if you post on living with arthritis you will get a lot more replies.
    I have had OA in my lower spine since I was 38 (I am now 54) all you can do is take the pain releif when you need it although I would recommend a tens machine I found it a great help for my back although now it seems that I have OA in every other joint I wouldnt know where to put the pads anymore cos I'm in pain all over the place.
    Take care
    Denise
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Margie :)

    Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to read your posting. By the way, I am not sure why peeps are saying for you to post on the LWA zone to get more replies because that is exactly where you have posted your thread!!

    If you go on, as you say, you will not be considered boring on here at all, this is what the site is for. We all understand as we all suffer from some kind of arthritis to a greater or lesser degree. If we cannot offer advice we offer lots of support.

    I presume you mean you have been diagnosed with OA - osteo arthritis. This is usually the pattern of events, you are given painkillers and anti inflams and if they are not working you return to your gp. Physio can help, as can acupucture both of which the gp can give you a referral. You can also ask to be referred to a pain clinic. There are different kind of injections that can be administered into the back to ease pain. The pain clinic would advise on this kind of thing.

    Your diagnosis was not a good birthday present to be given but at least you know what the problem is and there is help out there, if one knows where to go.

    Keep calling in as often as you wish and write it all down if that helps, which it can. We all do it, so why can't you? Ask any questions you have too and we shall do our utmost to answer them.

    I find a heated (in microwave) wheatbag helps me greatly with my OA aches and pains.

    Look after yourself,

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    elnafinn wrote:
    Hi Margie :)

    Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to read your posting. By the way, I am not sure why peeps are saying for you to post on the LWA zone to get more replies because that is exactly where you have posted your thread!!

    If you go on, as you say, you will not be considered boring on here at all, this is what the site is for. We all understand as we all suffer from some kind of arthritis to a greater or lesser degree. If we cannot offer advice we offer lots of support.

    I presume you mean you have been diagnosed with OA - osteo arthritis. This is usually the pattern of events, you are given painkillers and anti inflams and if they are not working you return to your gp. Physio can help, as can acupucture both of which the gp can give you a referral. You can also ask to be referred to a pain clinic. There are different kind of injections that can be administered into the back to ease pain. The pain clinic would advise on this kind of thing.

    Your diagnosis was not a good birthday present to be given but at least you know what the problem is and there is help out there, if one knows where to go.

    Keep calling in as often as you wish and write it all down if that helps, which it can. We all do it, so why can't you? Ask any questions you have too and we shall do our utmost to answer them.

    I find a heated (in microwave) wheatbag helps me greatly with my OA aches and pains.

    Look after yourself,

    Luv
    Elna x


    Elna,

    This thread was originally on the Working Matters forum. The mods must have moved it.

    Anne
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    hi marge sorry you have this but at least u now know what causing probs. did u say which type of arther they said u have would guess oa as this mainly wear and tear lol . feel for u but keep going back until u have the right meds for u they will try different things till they find what best for u as we all different good luck great having u with us they a great lot on here
    val
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello, Sorry to hear that you got such an unwanted birthday present! :? The main thing is that you now know what the problem is and can start to manage it a bit. I have oa in my lumber spine and my neck. Its quite common, I think, to get it in those 2 places. Are you going to have any physio? I have some but have to be careful as I find that whats good for my lower back hurts my neck and whats good for my neck is bad for my lower back! I am also working on my 'core stability' (strengthening my tummy muscles), they tell me this helps provide support for the back.

    So, its worth seeing a physio if your doctor suggests it and refers you. Also walking is good, as long as you don't over-tire yourself.

    It may be a good idea to ring the Helpline here, free number at the top of the page. They have all sorts of booklets they can send, which help you and lots of advice and support too.

    Try not to be too down hearted, theire are things that you can do to help yourself, as well as things that others can help you with.
    Take care, love Suexx ]
    PS Welcome to the forum!!! :):):)
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    annebr wrote:


    Elna,

    This thread was originally on the Working Matters forum. The mods must have moved it.

    Anne

    Ooops! :D

    E x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Marg,

    Welcome from me as well, they are a really good lot here. Its some shock and it takes a bit of time to get your head round it as well. I think it depends on what stage your at as to what happens next. Mine started years ago and the one thing I now know is its not as bad as your fears have it to be. I had an injury and that showed mine up, they did physio, then the pain blocks and then I had to have surgery (but thats not too common). Since then I had some hydro, more physio and then years with just pain control (it sounds like thats what you are doing) and now I am back with the pain clinic. Its 20 something years now and I also seen a few alternative people.

    Sometimes there is some benefit to talking it through with the gp cus they can explain it to you and give you an idea as to what can be done to help. Its sometimes an idea to write stuff down as you often find you forget the min you go through the door. I hope you can find out some answers and well I really do promise you its not as bad as you fear it to be. Take Care Cris
  • nemokittykat
    nemokittykat Member Posts: 1
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    hi ya, just stumbled across this page, i was diagnoised yesterday with arthritis of the spine, and to be honest i dont think it has sunk in.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello nemokittycat, it's nice to meet you and I hope we can help. There are quite a few spinal bods on here but the forum is generally pretty quiet at the moment. What is your history and who has diagnosed you? It will be a shock and it won't sink in overnight. I have two kinds of arthritis, an auto-immune one and osteo arthritis. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • kentishlady
    kentishlady Member Posts: 809
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi from me too and welcome to the forum. I am sure you will find it a great support to you. Am sorry to hear your diagnosis and hope they will some meds to help you. I have OA in my back and one of my knees and can empathise with you.

    Take care of yourself. Beryl

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