Is back pain RA?

sunnysideup
sunnysideup Member Posts: 17
edited 11. Aug 2011, 23:08 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi. I've been reading some of the advice on here and it's really good so have registered on forum. Diagnosed with RA two years ago after what I now know was a flare up involving hands, feet, legs etc. Have Osteo as well. Methotrexate working well. I've always had bouts of lower back pain every so often in my adult life. But had a 'do' with it about 6 weeks ago - and now another one. It went by the arthur pattern - bad in morning - could hardly move - terrible and frightening -then pain killers etc and it went a lot better. But it's not exactly a joint. (pain centred on bumpy bit at bottom of spine) So could this be RA? Or is it weakness and discs etc? Seem to be having pain in wrist and knee at the moment. A few months ago had terrible disabling pain in neck centred on bumpy bit at bottom of neck where spine starts) Is it all RA? or maybe it's osteo???
Am active late fifties woman - go to gym when I can and studying. Most of time I'm ok. So much that I want to do.... Supportive husband...so am very lucky. Stopped work a year ago - less money but life so much better.
Chose username to remind me to keep positive even when it's bad.
Thanks for 'listening' to my bumpy moaning. Sunnsideup.

Comments

  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    not sure about spine but i get inflimation in sturnum feels hot and swollen and yes painfull so could be some one will know welcome love your name val
    val
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sunnysideup, (love the name) the only real answer we can give is 'it might be'. We're not docs and I think maybe you need to see yours to get this checked out. One distinct possibility is that, if your knees and/or feet are hurting, you may be unconsciously trying to compensate for this in the way you walk and that, in turn, can put pressure on your back etc. I'd get it checked out. I hope it's something not too important.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi sunnysideup, it's nice to meet you. I guess it could be the RA or the OA or it could just be part of the aging process. Not everything we undergo is arthritis-related, only about 99.9% of it! If you are in any doubt then go and see your GP, as sticky so wisely said we are not doctors and we should not advise you (doesn't stop us though!) I hope it all eases soon. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have noticed my lower back pain gets worse the nearer to a THR I get. It seems related to my hip bone and at the moment is very bad and I have been told I need to have left hip replaced. It was very bad before my right THR and cleared up immediatley after my op.
    Don't know if it will be the same for you but might be worth checking it out.


    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,832
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning Sunnysideup :grin:

    very please to meet you.

    I have back issssues as well as neck ones and also have inflamatory arthritis too.

    You are right to question it because it may be something can be done. I had surgery on my back 8 years ago and it really helped. I have always thought it was seperate to the inflamatory stuff more of the OA type.

    I would make a good note about it - times/level of pain/duration etc and ask rheumy or GP next time you go? Maybe they will do some invetsigations for you?

    Love

    toni xx
  • sunnysideup
    sunnysideup Member Posts: 17
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks all of you. Yes I need to make a note and ask doc or rheumy about it. Nothing is clear-cut is it? But nice to talk about it and see what others think...sometimes I think 'why me' - but it helps to know I'm not on my own. X
  • Ankyspond
    Ankyspond Member Posts: 626
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    Nice to see you on here.

    You need to ask your rheumy but could I have AS and that is problems with the spine, neck etc but there are so many different forms you need medical advice really. X
    AS Sufferer
    Live, love and enjoy life, live each day as though it's your last!
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Welcome sunnysideup
    Love the name and the reason behind it.
    It might be arthur it might not be....sorry like the others say we aren't docs so make notes of times, intensity etc and tell your GP or the next medic you see and ask them.
    I've got OA in hips, lower spine, ankle and neck.
    I was diagnosed in my 50's ...quite late compared to a lot on here.
    Previous to being diagnosed and having pain in hips etc I mostly had pain in my lower back...Used to go to an osteopath now and again and he would sort it out. Then i was diagnosed with kyphoscoliosis.....curved spine basically.....it didnt look very noticeable then but apparently thats what was causing the pain...it has gradually got worse. Hip people say its my back affecting my hip.....Back people say its the hip affecting the back....cant win LOL :lol:

    Love
    Hileena
  • sunnysideup
    sunnysideup Member Posts: 17
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Hileena. Think I'm in something of the same boat really. No we can't win. Helps to know there are others. The back is improving today - although being the day after my med I always feel sort of sick and weary. Friday is always a lot better. X
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sunnysideup
    I just remembered....we have a thread and its a sticky.....up towards to top of this page. "Simple ideas to make life easier" i thought since you were new you mightn't have noticed it. It has got loads of ideas from us about how to do different things....have a look through that. I'm sure you'll find a lot of info about backs and how to do things without hurting your back. eg.....doinbg my washing.....I put things in nylon duffle bag, throw it downstairs, get it when I get down and drag it into the kitchen, pull kitchen chair over to the washing machine and sit and push it all in and start it. Thats it until its finished....chair again, sit on it, get the clothes out and drap them over my shoulder [ok a damp shoulder but I cant carry a wash basket anymore :lol: } out to the line which my husband has lowered for me and hange them.....sounds a lot but it becomes automatic LOL :lol: It might not help you but might be worth a look at to see how others cope with different things.
    Love
    Hileena
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sunnsideup,

    Welcome to the forums they are a good lot here.

    I am glad your going to get it checked out cus it could be a ,lot of things and rally it would help if they dd at least an xray.

    If it is arthritis I believe its more likely to be oa..... I don't think its the normal place for ra to go.. not saying it can't of course.

    It could be so many things and well good luck getting it checked out and could you let us know please? Nice to meet you. Cris who is always late to the posts these days.... x

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