Lumbar Arthritis

lorraine19622

Hello i'm new to the forum hope your all ok.

I was diagnosed with Arthritis on my Lumbar region 2 month ago.
I'd been suffering at first with back ache, but i had moved house and i put it down to that but gradually the pain got worse and i moved house another 2 times .. the pain just increased and started to get shooting pains down my legs and aching into my groin so i went to my doctors, he sent me for an Xray and told me it was Arthritis but couldnt tell me the type which i found unusual.
I had read that a blood test could tell them the answer but the doctor said that wasnt the case and only a scan could tell him but he said he wasnt going to send me for one.
I'd like to know the type of Arthritis so i can try to help myself in some way but i'm stuck without an answer.
At the moment iam taking Tramadol once a day because they make me very sleep and nauseaus if i take more.
I am seeing a differant doctor this friday for a more suitable painkiller plus i'd like more help from him as the pain and stiffness is getting worse now but i just dont know what sort of help i can ask for. Lorraine :roll:

frogmorton

Hi lorriane and welcome from me.

Sounds like he suspects OA osteoarthritis, but not too sure.

Blood tests will show up RA.

There is loads they can do to help you (and MRI is a good start though) from physio to diferent meds Tens machines to heat packs.

I do hope you get on ok with the different doc.

Wishing you very well

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

Firstly, hello and welcome to the worst club in the world. Secondly, I am so sorry that you are in a quandary. This is indeed a confusing condition and sometimes there are no clear answers.

Right, chapter one of DD's Ladybird Guide to Arthritis (a well-thumbed volume) There are a few forms of arthritis, the two most common being rheumatoid and osteo. Rheumatoid (RA) can sometimes be diagnosed by blood tests, but not always. It is generally related to an over-active immune system. Osteoarthritis (OA) is usually dignosed by Xrays, and is caused by wear and tear of the joints. GPs treat OA (for the most part) and rheumatologists treat the rest. I've now forgotten the rest of your post so excuse me for a mo while I check it.

Right, back again! I am not an expert but I reckon you sound like a classic OA sufferer. The vertebrae in the spine can be affected with it, and very uncomfortable that must be. I too have tramadol 50mg as a painkiller, but I reserve that for night as it can make one dozy. I use co-codamol 30/500 for daytime, which does help but also results in constipation, which requires more tablets. You'll get used to this: take tablets to help one thing then take others to deal with side effects! Make a list of info to help your doctor: what hurts, when it hurts, what triggers more pain etc etc etc.

I am sure other OA ers will be along. I have PA (like RA but with the added extra of psoriasis). I wish you well. DD

lorraine19622

frogmorton wrote:

Hi lorriane and welcome from me.

Sounds like he suspects OA osteoarthritis, but not too sure.

Blood tests will show up RA.

There is loads they can do to help you (and MRI is a good start though) from physio to diferent meds Tens machines to heat packs.

I do hope you get on ok with the different doc.

Wishing you very well

Toni xx

Thank you Toni , i do suspect OA as my mum and sister suffer from it but there is also RA but that is on my dad's side of the family.

frogmorton

Hiya

well dont vanish =- whatever it trns out to be we will support you and hope you get more help soon.

Love

Toni xx

PS a couple of us on here have had back surgery including me so know a fair bit unfortunately

lorraine19622

dreamdaisy wrote:

Firstly, hello and welcome to the worst club in the world. Secondly, I am so sorry that you are in a quandary. This is indeed a confusing condition and sometimes there are no clear answers.

Right, chapter one of DD's Ladybird Guide to Arthritis (a well-thumbed volume) There are a few forms of arthritis, the two most common being rheumatoid and osteo. Rheumatoid (RA) can sometimes be diagnosed by blood tests, but not always. It is generally related to an over-active immune system. Osteoarthritis (OA) is usually dignosed by Xrays, and is caused by wear and tear of the joints. GPs treat OA (for the most part) and rheumatologists treat the rest. I've now forgotten the rest of your post so excuse me for a mo while I check it.

Right, back again! I am not an expert but I reckon you sound like a classic OA sufferer. The vertebrae in the spine can be affected with it, and very uncomfortable that must be. I too have tramadol 50mg as a painkiller, but I reserve that for night as it can make one dozy. I use co-codamol 30/500 for daytime, which does help but also results in constipation, which requires more tablets. You'll get used to this: take tablets to help one thing then take others to deal with side effects! Make a list of info to help your doctor: what hurts, when it hurts, what triggers more pain etc etc etc.

I am sure other OA ers will be along. I have PA (like RA but with the added extra of psoriasis). I wish you well. DD

Thank you Dreamdaisy,
I think it is OA as he said i had quite a lot of Wear and tear their. Sometimes i can feel a clicking or movement but no sound
like you would have if a bone was cracking.
I tried Co codamol but they give me an headache :roll:
Thank you i will go in with many questions and guidence and see if i can have more suppoert and help.
Oh dear i do hope your managing your condition ok .

lorraine19622

frogmorton wrote:

Hiya

well dont vanish =- whatever it trns out to be we will support you and hope you get more help soon.

Love

Toni xx

PS a couple of us on here have had back surgery including me so know a fair bit unfortunately

No i will be returning often Toni,
Oh dear i surgery can be helpful can't it but only in certain cases.
I do hope the surgery has helped you a lot xx

dreamdaisy

Oh I wish. The condition manages me! One adjusts - for most of the time anyway. As my esteemed colleague frogmorton says, keep in touch. We are a knowledgeable lot on here, we are good at info and support and cheering up. Have a look at the other forums too - chitchat is more casual - a break from arthritis woes - and the others. DD

frogmorton

Glad to hear it

Backs are 'orrible arent they?

We'll keep you cheerful if we can.

As DD says take a look around teh site - some laughs to be had too.

Love

Toni xx

fayrose

Hello Lorraine
Like the others have said you probably have osteo in your spine.
I have rheumatoid all over the shop and like you, following back problems and the fact that I'm shrinking I had xrays, bone density scans etc. and the result is osteo affecting all my spinal disks.

I hope you can get some help and pain relief. I do have physio appointments and they have given me a course of exercises to strengthen the abdominal, leg and back muscles and that should help.
So far it has been very helpful.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Fay x

lorraine19622

fayrose wrote:

Hello Lorraine
Like the others have said you probably have osteo in your spine.
I have rheumatoid all over the shop and like you, following back problems and the fact that I'm shrinking I had xrays, bone density scans etc. and the result is osteo affecting all my spinal disks.

I hope you can get some help and pain relief. I do have physio appointments and they have given me a course of exercises to strengthen the abdominal, leg and back muscles and that should help.
So far it has been very helpful.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Fay x

Hi Fay,
Thanks for that.. Oh and i was feeling sorry for myself .. :roll:
I'm glad you have been helped by the Physio that's good news, keep up the good work .