Anyone have any idea?

jenzie06
jenzie06 Member Posts: 708
edited 4. Sep 2011, 02:26 in Living with Arthritis archive
I've been having back pain for a few months. Had an xray last week. Finally got GP to tell me what it says but I'm really none the wiser.
He says lower thoracic and first lumbar have become wedge shaped plus a lumbar vertebrae is tipping forward instead of back. I was concerned about osteoporosis from steroid use but the report says no obvious fractures.
After googling it (I know it usually tells you the worse case and is not reliable at all) it all points to osteoporosis so I'm a bit confused.
I'm not seeing anyone until I see rheumy nurse on 20th sept and gp suggested I wait til then so I can get an answer straight away.

Anyone got any suggestions to what could be the cause or what the potential treatment could be. All I know is that I can't live with this pain as it's too dibilitating.

As an aside, I managed to stand on a bee this evening and it stung me between my toes. They are now throbbing, red and swollen (more than usual!). I've covered it in vinegar and anti-sting stuff but still hurts like hell. Any other suggestions on helping it much appreciated!

Comments

  • daylily
    daylily Member Posts: 619
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    OUCH!!!! bet that hurts like hell.
    Sorry can't help you with the back probs, hopefully your rheumy will know what's going on
    take care and keep up with the vinegar.
  • kellerman
    kellerman Member Posts: 741
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    You don't normally get pain with with osteoporosis unless you have a fracture. I fractured a vertabrae and the pain was terrible,but unless I had done this I wouldn't of known my bones were as bad as they are.
    Mine was thoratic.GP sent me for an mri scan and bone density.
    Rheumy will probably do this. I would certainly ask for the bone density if he doesn't.
    I'm pretty new to this myself, mine was caused by a fall. I only know the bit I do know by a booklet I picked up at the hospital.
    Sorry I can't help further. Just take care.
    May
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sounds more like wear and tear to me but i not qualified so wait till rhummy tells you well arther of some kind val
    val
  • tiggernut
    tiggernut Member Posts: 339
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    No idea but hope it gets sorted soon.
    Anita.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,027
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Jen

    l am thinking that the rheumy nurse may not be able to start you on treatment for osteoporosis anyway.....do the do that? I think l would ring the helpline (Rheumy one) and ask them before you go if they would be able to help with that issue incase it has to be the rheumatologist him/herself. Then they might see about getting you an earlier appt there.

    If l remember rightly there are meds you can have for osteoporosis so do try not to worry too much Jen :sad:

    Ooooh stung :shock: Did you take any antihistamine?? Having said that you would need to check with Pharmacist incase any of your meds say you can't take them. :roll: My daughter is on pitzotifen as a preventer for her migraine and she can't take normal piriton...neither can the youngest due to epilim :roll:

    Even if all is well best to have something in :wink:

    Love

    Toni xx
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    No...you dont usually get pain with osteoporosis. Its called the silent killer {I think} dont take killer literally :lol::lol: The way you discover you have it is if you have a fall and a fracture and have a dexa scan, sometimes you might have a scan even if you havent fallen...so do ask. I had one about 3 years ago and was diagnosed with osteopinia {sp?} Not as bad as ospteoporosis but bones are worse {thinner} than they should be. I've just had another one done and am waiting for the result of that.
    Apart from that sorryI'm not much help
    Love
    hileena
  • kellerman
    kellerman Member Posts: 741
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jen,
    Pain is not good I know but there is different medication you can take.
    If your bones are thin it may be offered but it will depend on what you are already taking.
    I waited 4 months before my GP took me seriously about the pain and just took painkillers.
    I don't have an appointment to see a rheumy until late october. I have OA (I think) hip,thigh,feet and knees and also the OP spine.
    So don't know really what I'll be able to take.

    Hileena, Don't think I've ever heard of OP described as the silent killer.
    Must admit that made me smile as I've already had ovarian cancer twice and that is classed as the silent killer.No symtons except swollen stomach.
    Hope your scan comes back OK.
    May
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Cant think Where I read that name........meaning that you can have it and not know it until you get a break/fracture and they test you for it.....this was about preventing it....I forget all the things it said you should do.....plenty of calcium in your diet etc.
    Love
    Hileena
  • kellerman
    kellerman Member Posts: 741
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    Hileena is right,calcium in your diet.
    None of this explains the pain though.I would imagine loads of people have OP and don't know until they break something.
    Maybe rheumy should send you for an mri scan as I'm not sure how much would show up on an xray.
    I would ring and explain and see if you can see someone earlier.
    Take care
    May
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning,
    Hope you are feeling a bit better this morning. I'm not sure how much an MRI would show up either. Ask for a DEXA scan or a scan for brittle bone disease.......DEXA is specific for diagnosing this
    Love
    Hileena

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