Having a bad week

anne49

I have OA in my lower back and I am having a really bad week at the moment, have had back pain now for nearly a fortnight. On Tuesday I thought that I was paralysed as no matter how I tried I could not get off the bed, as the pain had sent my back into spasm. I have since been to the doctors and she has given me muscle relaxant, pain killers and Ibuprofen. So with taking the muscle relaxant and tramadol I feel doped up to the eye balls. I just feel miserable at the moment as I just don't know what to do with my self. Sitting, standing, lying down, walking etc all seem to cause pain. Just feeling very down and fed up, roll on the summer or I need to learn how to levitate.

Sorry for the moan but just don't know what to do at the moment.

dreamdaisy

Backs do that to one, don't they? You just cannot get comfortable, no matter what you try. I hope the pain relief does take some of the edge off things, and that that helps matters. Keep as warm as you can - here in my neck of the woods it is dark, cold and raining. UGH. I wish you well, and soon! DD

dorcas

Sorry you're having a bad time of it with your back Anne... sounds very painful and limiting.

Has the doc asked you to see him again to review if the meds help? I wondered too if you'd had your back x rayed or scanned to see what degree of OA you have and whether there are any other options besides pain meds for you. :?:

Perhaps you should consider seeing your doc if the pain and immobility doesn't improve.

Hoping the pain eases for you.

Iris xx

skezier

Hi Anne,

Oh flower I know that one, and its horrible.

I wonder if you are being seen by anyone other than the gp? I think it might help to get an opinion other than the doctors on it cus personally I thin you might need different treatment there, even if its only the pain clinic.

For me the muscle relaxers are not a good thing, my lumber needs the muscles to keep working, I spent years building up the backs muscles and keeping them even. Relax them and it settles to relying on the bones and the pain goes so high I can't cope with it at all. I also don't find moving easy so I think you do need to find out whats behind the pain so bad you get the spasms.

I found excluding the nerve blocks, trigger points and botox the thing that helped most was the nerve receptor blocker tablets. For me they work very well but you need to finds out why you have this much pain and for that you to see an ortho really.

In the mean time I so hoe the paralysis was a one off? Its scary but just try and remember you just need to move and it stops...... I keep telling my self that as well

Mine is not happy being laid on and cus I can't turn over it gets laid on most nights cus I haven't got the sense to not try when I a asleep..... I have tried a few things to stop me rolling over but so far nothing has worked.

I hope you can find a comfortable position to shut it up a bit for you. I really hope they will be able to help you. A ((( ))) and a hope Cris x

barbara12

Hello Anne
I am sorry you are in so much pain my love, I have oa in my lumber, so I know a bit of what you are going through, the spasm are awful ,you do need to see someone about it, ask your gp to refer you to a back specialist.
I am on co codamol, gabapentin, and amitriptyline at night, I think it is the amitriptyline that works the best.
Like you say the meds can make you spaced out, I am still trying for a happy medium.
I hope you get some help very soon
Love
Barbara x

hileena111

Hi Anne,
I'm sorry you are having so much pain in your back....it is an awful thing I know...are you any better? I think you should get a referral as well.
I have OA in hips and lumbar region and only now after doing one hip replacement and almost getting to the 2nd one {a few weeks off it} have they decided to send me to a back specialist {Appt this Wed so I'll know more then} I'm only on paracetamol at the minute and diclofeic slow release twice a day
Love
Hileena

chris7

Hi Anne

Oh dear, so sorry you are at the end of your tether with the poorly back. I can't add to the advise but just wanted to call in and acknowledge your post. Really hope you find some way to keep comfortable soon and get some more support via your GP.
Just leaving a gentle hug ((( )))
Hang in there,
Chris x

tjt6768

Hi Anne, I also have OA in my lower spine and know exactly what you are going through, the worst bit is just not being able to get comfy no matter what you do or how you sit/lay/stand..
You really have my sympathy, hope it eases and soon..
Mine is playing up a treat tonight along with the knees.. My own fault though, thought I could go away and enjoy myself for a week with no reprise, how daft was I?

LOL


Let us know how you go on


Tony

alarkra

Hi Anne,

Ugg, I had a serious reaction when I took Tramadol, so I totally sympathise with you feeling doped up with it. *bleugh*. I hope that your back eases up soon and that you feel less unwell. ((HUGS)) xx

bubbles

Anne hun, you have my sympathy, like many others, we are crowded into the same boat. Sit, no, that doesn't work, stand, might help for a little while, but then it bites, getting comfy in bed, a nightmare at times. Don't worry about having a moan, you go right ahead and tell it like it is. I have OA, both cervical and lumbar 3 and 4, with bone on bone, Lord knows where the cartilage has gone, but, it has. :roll:

Perhaps a change in medication might be an option, talk things over with your GP, things like pregabalin and amitryptiline can help, alongside pain killers. A memory foam topper or mattress could make the nights a bit more bearable, a lot of people on the forum use them, me included and I would not be without one now. Memory foam pillows are good too.

let us know how you get on, in the meantime, sending huge hugs your way, take care, xxx Bubbles

dreamdaisy

Morning anne49, I hope you managed to get some sleep and that things are a little more comfortable today. DD

anne49

Hi all

Thank you for your messages of support and advice, I have really appreciated them. I now have a memory foam mattress, so I did manage a couple of hours sleep at a time last night, only thing is as soon as I try to turn over im wide awake again. I got up this morning thinking boy it feels a little better and I could feel no pain, and then I bent to put my trousers on and it was back again :roll: . My dear hubby also went out yesterday and bought me a wheat pad so I can keep some heat on my back.
The doctor did not say anything about seeing her again, but my hubby did say, that she had said something about seeing what the X ray results say, but I think if these meds don't start making any difference then I will go back. I am already under an ortho consultant for the OA in my knees, but I am not due to see him until late December or January. I think I will mention about going to see a back specialist when I next go to see her. I must admit I have never been told how bad arthur is in my back, all I have ever been told is that there are signs of wear and tear, so I think I will push to find out how bad it is now.

Once again thank you guys for all your hugs and wishes
Anne xxx

tjt6768

Hi Anne, I am glad that you at least got some sleep, it's a nightmare when you think that you're ok then just one wrong move tells you that you really aren't eh?

The mattress things are really good, we even take ours with us when we go to Skeggy to stay in my Uncle's caravan.. Couldn't sleep without it there..

Have a good talk with your GP about maybe going back early to see the specialist, maybe that might help.
I'm with you on the OA knees and spine bit, having some steroid injections done at the GP's surgery on friday to hopefully tide me over till the pain clinic see fit to send for me as they're doing some pain injections for my knees and spine.

I also have Sero-Neg in my wrists as well, oh the joys of it all eh?


Tony