FACET JOINT ARTHRITIS

serenajack

Hi. I am new to this site. I was diagnosed with Facet Joint Arthritis in August 2010. To date, I have had two lots of steriod injections and have weekly physio and pilates and walk 40 mins daily.

Problem is that I am still in considerable pain which is really beginning to get me down. Simple tasks trigger the pain in my back and I don't seem to be able to get any relief.

Any advice would be welcome.

Jackie

frogmorton

Hi Jackie

Good to meet you

Backs are vile aren't they? :x They can be so difficult to get under control.

I do have a couple of suggestions...one is to see if you could go to a pain clinic to see if you are having all you can for your pain(do they have them where you are?). ther are lots of new meds you could be trying and techniques like acyupuncture might work for you too.

The other is to look at other aspects such as your 'seating' and footwear just incase you are adding pressure to your back by sitting badly 9maybe at work?) or wlaking badly. Insoles can help with the latter, but you would need to see a podiatrist to get checked for that.

l am so sorry - i take it that they don't think there are surgical options for you?

Love

Toni xx

barbara12

Hi Jackie and welcome to the forum
I have had the injections, but sadly didnt get any benefit, but other people swear by them....just goes to show how that whats works for one dosnt for another.
I went to the pain clinic, and with meds I am getting there, I must say I agree with Toni, your posture is all important...but you will know this going to pilates ,
I do hope you can get some relief, I would ask for a referral to the clinic.
Good luck with everything
Barbara x

serenajack

Hi Toni and Barbara

Thanks for your comments. Surgery hasn't been ruled out just yet but I am getting a second opinion before I agree to any more injections etc on my back.

I have not had an pain relief at all so that may be another option. I will do some research into the Pain Clinic that you both mentioned. I do get acupuncture as part of my physio treatment which does work but only short term.

Many thanks.

Jackie x

skezier

Hi Jackie,

Oh flower I got that one and know it seriously hurts and can both take your breath ways and your legs as well.

I had the jabs into the myelin sheath and it sort of helped, I had some into the joints and they sort of helped, then they went for tempry denevrves and then a tempry chemical denerve and now botox in the neck and tablets fr the rest.

Have you had an orthopedic opinion? Sometimes they can help and it might be worth asking.

What tablets have they got you on? They gave me pregabalin and that truly helps.. it intercepts the pain receivers in your brain so though you are in pain your brain doesn't really know it. They do work on your brain so can mess with you initially but once you are used to them they do help.

Sadly all they can ever do is get it to a manageable level for me but that's a huge step forward from its worst.

really hope you can get some good help for this cus i know how much it can hurt. nice to meet you Cris x

serenajack

Thanks Cris. Good to hear that you are managing your pain.

To be honest, reading what others are going through,I am not that bad and not on any meds at all.

Jackie x

skezier

Hi Jackie,

A decent anti-inflammatory might help even if you took it as and when? I know I was on diclos as and when for a few years then 3x a day before going o the yo yo of now you can have the s/r ones and now you cant cus of possible ulcers I juts got them reinstated but not sure for how long

Fingers crossed its a while before you need the pregabs but least you know they are there for the future. Keep in touch cus this lot are always helpful. Cris x

frogmorton

Hi Jackie

l tend to agree with Cris decent anti-inflams can do wonders even if you think they wont. So long as you dont go overdoing it!!!!

(like she does )

As she says keep in touch.

Love

toni xx

Gillian1961

This is my first post; I was moved to register after seeing this thread. I have battled with facet joint arthritis following a nursing injury many years ago. It took me many years before any seemed to help me. One of the problems seems to be that because you look OK and pretty healthy, laypeople can think there is nothing wrong with you. The problem with the facet joint stuff is the variability of it. It is impossible to predict a "good" day or a "bad" day. I find the best thing is to respond to how my back feels; on a painful day take it easy, when it feels good I can do more things. My problems at work are increasing as my managerial role necessitates lots of computer work and hours in meetings. Sitting in a chair is like sitting on hot coals! I am better moving about. I take lots of diclofenac (and ulcer protectors) gapapentin (pregabs) tramadol and paracetamol. Had the joint injections, nerve block, now waiting on rhizotomy through the pain clinic at my local hospital. Pain clinic is the first pain I felt someone understood what was happening to me!

bubbles

Hi jackie and gillian, welcome to the forum, I know you will find it a great place, with lovely down to earth friendly people, plus, we all sing from the same hymn sheet, in varying degrees.
I have facet joint arthur in lumbar 3 and 4, along with a miriad or other problems, but let's not get side tracked.
This is such a painful problem, unpredictable, sometimes not easy to treat. I agree that a referal to the pain clinic would be a good idea. Pilates is very good for core strength and gentle stretching.
Like Cris, I take pregablain, quite a hefty dose, which does help to a point, that along with other medication. It has been a journey of trial and tribulation to get to the right combination of pills.
I am a retired nurse and I am sure a lot of damage was done in the early years of nursing, when lifting and handling was not even a thought, you just lugged and tugged and got on with it.
I cannot offer any other advice really, the good people have covered almost all options.
I agree with you Gillian, that if you "look ok", then you must be "ok". People I knew a long time back, look at me aghast when they see me in a buggy, in the shops, saying "what's all this about then" - oh, I just ride it for a joke. :x :roll: Makes me so mad.
You take lots of care and keep us posted, do pop into the cafe for a cuppa and loads of calorie free cakes. XXX Bubbles

woodbon

Hi Jackie, just popped in to say welcome and I'm glad you've found the forum! I hope you find the advice you want and get to know that you are not alone. Love Suexxxx