Spine problems

janie68

Hello everyone

Does anyone know if you can have steriod injections in your spine? I have been suffering excruciating pain in my spine when I get up in the mornings. My mattress is relatively new so it's not that and I'm told I move around in bed in the night so it's not that it gets stuck as such.

Any advice you can give to help me as it's getting worse and I'm hitting the morphine first thing, this morning it was 5.30am.

Thanks

Janie xx

lavenderlady

I was going to have steroid injections in my back/spine but backed out as i've got a fear of anyone touching my spine, no idea why maybe the pain was so excrutiating I'm nervous of it being done, I got mine through the pain clinic , but cancelled it as i went in hospital for hysterectomy and never went back for the injection, not bothered by other injections or blood test just my spine, I even ahd 5 kids with no pain relief through fear of epidural, :?

dorcas

Hi Janie,

Ive not had steroid injections in my spine so can't offer advice there sorry.

sounds as though you do need something effective if you're hitting the morph first thing.

have you had your back x rayed or scanned to see what's going on? maybe you should see the doc about this and to talk over adequate pain relief or an early referral back to your consultant is in order.


I guess you're not feeling benefits yet from your anti tnf yet?. :?:

oh I do hope that it starts to have effect and that you get some help with your back. :roll:

love n (((hugs)))

Iris xxx

dreamdaisy

As usual dorcas talks sense. I think you need to get this checked out as it is causing you so much distress. Oh the wonderful world of arthritis - there is always something to be looked at! I wish you well - oh and ignore my PM, I found out the answer! It does work in a very different way, doesn't it? DD

janie68

I can't make my mind up about whether the rituximab has helped. One day I think yes then BOOM! I'm back clockwatching for my pain meds.

I can't have another infusion until February so I guess I'm stuck like this

And I've gone back to work, I think that's a big mistake, I can forsee some big changes ahead for me, applying for that dreaded ESA and applying for ill health retirement. I will try to stick it out at work for the next 4 weeks to give it a good go anyway.

Thanks for your info, at least I can have injections in my spine to alleviate it, I shall ask physio on Monday morning as I'm there for an assessment.

It never stops does it with this arthur does it?

Janie xx

dreamdaisy

These drugs, despite their press, are not miracle cures for the majority, for some they do have wonderful effects and return life to nearly what it was before, for others well, I would use the word disappopinting. Or even disappointing! My consultant intimated to me that once the humira was effective I could drop some of the other stuff. I have added, instead. C'est la vie.

Take it gently at work - it must be nice to be back out in the great wide world again but work is stressful and tiring. Make sure you rest as much as you can, that is hte key thing when managing any form of arthritis. I wish you well. DD

skezier

Hi Janie,

I have had hundreds and I am not sure that's much of an exertion cus been having the 26 years :roll: They work to varying degrees and they can be very effective depending on how good the person doing them is cus they have to be in the exact right pace to be of most benefit.

They do hurt but are less painful in the spine than the neck for some reason. Its great in one way though, the doc who does mine now uses extra local That's wonderful and till it wears off its good!

I think you should go for it cus they have always worked to some degree and sometimes they work really well. Good luck if you do and let us know will you? Cris x

dorcas

Hi Janie,

did the rheummy say how long it mike take before the ritux swings into action? I know it's so different to other anti tnfs ....even the length of time between infusions...6 mths? so perhaps it takes longer to become effective. I'm hoping that is so for you Janie.

going back to work must have been a difficult decision for you...are you getting help at work? having the right aids or adaptations can make continuing in work more likely.... but if it comes to it Janie and your health suffers then there's no shame in considering early retirement.

ESA is a minefield but the collective 'we' on the forum who have/ are going through the process hopefully can support you if/ when you do have to apply.....

I hope that if the doc refers you then having the spine injected will be a great help to you.

love and supporting (((hugs)))

Iris xx

janie68

Thanks Iris

How are you feeling today? I bet you're glad you managed to get home yesterday,the prospect of staying in hospital is not favourable.

I do have aids etc at work, access at work gave me an electric wheelchair and a lumbar chair as well. But I will see how it goes. For the last 2 years, I have been off sick more than at work, I just don't know what to do.

The ritux can take 8 weeks to start it's magic, and I'm 6 weeks in so I will continue at work for the next 4 weeks, then I will have a better idea on what to do. But then as you all say, these drugs are portrayed as miracle drugs and they're not at all. It's taking it's toll on me, this constant hoping and I am starting to realise after 16 years of this arthur, I will not get better. And I feel pretty miserable about it.

I could really swear and smash everything up but then I would be using my precoius spoons and that's a waste!

I'm going to watch a film from the vi***n media tv with my daughter later then x factor.

Thanks everyone for your fab advice

Janie xx

dreamdaisy

It's not the despair. Despair I can handle. I can't handle the hope.
(Quote from a John Cleese fim)


Grab a pillow, stuff your face into it and scream and scream and scream. Remove pillow and put the cover in the wash. You will feel better, and you conserve spoons. DD

janie68

I think I need to get a pension forecast from NHS to help me reach my decision.

Bet it's pants.

I can't even turn to drink to help soothe the pain away. Ggggrrrr

I'm not sure if I can handle despair, god I'm depressed now :x

It's morphine time now so off I hobble to go and down some!

Janie

dreamdaisy

I meant that quote in reference to yours about hope: sorry, I didn't make it clear enough.

Take some time out from it all: concentrate on doing something lovely with your family/daughter and try to let it all go hang for a while, I know, easier said than done, but all the fretting in the world isn't going to help. DD

dorcas

Hi Janie

If you ask for a pension forecast remember to ask them for both sets of figured..what your pension would be taking early retirement ...but also.. what it would be if you retired on ill health grounds.. which should be a deal better. Being retired on ill- health by them going through the process and offering it to you should enhance both the lump sum and the pension. worth finding out!

hope the Rituximab does help.... and I do know what you mean about having to face the future, and all that might mean, with this condition......... at least we have the forum!!!

enjoy the film and the X factor later... great fun and distraction!

Iris xxx

janie68

Iris

I will be asking for ill health figure, and yes what does the future hold for us on the forum?
:?:

Janie

frogmorton

Hi Janie

yes you can.

My Ex MIL has had several over the years and swears by them. i hope you will get it checked out though - backs can sure knock you sick cant they?

Hope things sort out soon.

Did you say you are asking for your fugures? Very brave and worth doing at least then you can look at your options

Love

Toni xx

hileena111

HiJanie
I've had one THR and was due to have the 2nd one in less than a week when they sent me for an MRI and decided a kot of the pain was coming from my back ...well 2nd THR has been cancelled and I'm being referred to a back specialist.....my ortho bod said he didnt know a lot about that end of it {kypho scoliosis } thought that possibly steriod injections or poss surgery but wont know until I see the back specialist. Cant say I'm looking forward to either.
Love
Hileena