Arthritis

helenbarb2

Hi, I am seeking help with pain in my inner thigh and left leg. Sometime it is
excruciating pain. Other times it is very stiff with light pain. Difficulty getting up after being seated, walking up and down stairs difficulty. Sitting in the car is the worst. I also have neck pain, headaches all on the left side of my body. This has been going on for 6-8 weeks now. I have had an x-ray of my leg and a ct scan of my lower back. Nothing was seen, except the previous problems of my lower spine, At L3-L4 level, there is diffuse annular bulge indenting the thecal sac causing mild spinal canal stenosis. The foramina are patent. L4-L5 level demonstrates diffuse annular bulge causing mild spinal canal stenosis per the foramina are patent. I have been diagnosed to have degenerated arthritis and or spondolosis in my spine. I have been to physical therapy for three weeks and I just cancelled tomorrows appointment, because it only helps a little and the root problems of my situation has not been resolved. Please someone help

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's nice to meet you and I am pleased you have found us. I must confess I didn't understand much of your post as I don't speak 'medic' - I know enough about my conditions to get me by but I have never worried about the whys and wherefores - my view is I have two sorts of arthritis and stuff hurts, end of. I take it that you have osteo-arthritis - the phsyio is a good thing as that helps to keep your muscles strong and therefore they better support the affected joints. As for the underlying cause, well, if it is OA there is little to be done apart from pain relief, exercise and (eventually and if applicable) joint replacement. Arthritis is unusual in that it is a condition where you go to the docs, they give you pills but it still carries on.

Dont' be surprised if you come back and find that your thread has been moved: this type of subject matter is usually dealt with on LWA - the Living with Arthritis part of the forum rather than chit-chat. Don't fret - it won't have vanished! I wish you well, and I hope to see your name here and there over the next few days. Take care. DD

hileena111

Hi
Welcome to the forum....nice to meet you.
I dont speak medic either but it is true that for OA there isnt much more than pain killers, anti inflammatories and managing the arthritis yourself. Surgery if necessary and when its needed.

You mention spinal stenosis....thats a different ballgame alltogether as far as I can gather....I'm waiting for the results of an MRI to confirm whether or not I have spinal stenosis.
I have oA in hips, ankle, lower spine and have had one hip replacement.
Hope someone else comes up with something more helpful
Let us know how you get on
Love
Hileena

Soretoe2

Hello Helen, to be honest it sounds as if it's all connected to your spinal problems. As you know it's a long hard road and other than pain medications there is not much help available.
It may be that your nerve endings are playing you up at the moment and things will settle down a bit in time.
I have similar problems, Degenerative Discs, cervical and lumbar Stenosis, Spondylosis, Myelopathy, Radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy and OA and RA to boot. I get all sorts of reffered pains from my neuropathy.
I agree with you physio does nothing for me at all either but then our expectations nearly always outstrip what there is on offer with the NHS. However we do need to keep moving and gentle exercising is important to keep us going.
It's difficult to know how to advise you as you sound as you've been round the block already.
With your history I would probably go back to the gp and ask to be reffered to the hospital. It may be that you have reached the stage with your spine that you need a more specialist opinion.
You have my sympathy as it's an awful thing to live with. Joy

dreamdaisy

Hello again, I hope all is as well as it can be. DD