BAD day, back pain, ank spon?

lizzy100

Im complicated. But i started steroids last night and i finjd the usually take about 3 days to work. this morning i woke up in agony and literally couldnt move. My back killed and my legs.
When i got up it helped my back abit but its stil been excrucitating, and sitting or standing still makes it worse, its better if i walk about but then that hurts my legs. I took painkillers and NSAID but hasnt helped. I rang my gp they said they were too busy an refused to see me or ring me. I rang my consultant and no answer. I went to A and E and they refused to see me as its a 'GP problem'. Gps dont knpw what to do with me anyway.

Im worried it could be Ankylosing spondilitis because my symptoms seem to totally match and I have IBD. I did have bum pain a few days ago as well which apparently u get with that. Im still in agony and dont know what to do. so fed up of people ignoring me .

dreamdaisy

What dose of steroids are you taking? If you know they are going to help then hopefully that effect will soon kick in. I'm in a similar boat pain-wise (can't sit, stand or lie) and yes, it is pretty miserable. I've uppped my cocos and have also been taking slow-release 100mg tramadol, that has helped. Do you have anything similar you could take? DD

lizzy100

Iv taken oxycodone and it didnt help. I cant take anything with codine in coz of my IBD. Yea i just dont know what to do with myself till they kick in. its agony. Oh sos its 40mg of steroids but only started it last night.

dreamdaisy

40? Crikey. Steroids are best taken first thing in the morning as that mimics the body's natural production, takeing them at night can have the effect of disturbing sleep which then causes its own problems. OK, so no codeine, there are other things available but, as with all pain relief no matter how strong or weak, only the sharper edges are removed. DD

AndyMaz

I feel your pain, Lizzy!! After getting a probable diagnosis from my GP then a clinical diagnosis of AS from my Rheumatologist late last year everything fell into place; the back pain, the morning stiffness, the not being able to sit or stand for more than 10 minutes at a time, the waking up in pain at 4am etc.

I often get pain in one side or another of my buttocks, often radiates down my leg. Not sure if it's a "classic" symptom though?

I'm on 75mg of Diclofenac for my AS, which only really ever takes the edge off. There's very little they can do for it, apart from NSAID's and physio. I'm having hydrotherapy at the mo. I've only just started so not seeing any benefit from that yet, but I have high hopes.

LignumVitae

Hi Lizzy

Hope things are a bit better and the steroids are beginning to help. Have you seen a rheumatologist? They are the only people who can definitively give you a diagnosis of AS really. I have many symptoms which point that way but am officially diagnosed with Inflammatory Arthritis because AS can take many years to show itself in a definitive way (I'm quite happy to remain as an inflammatory arthritis patient as you can imagine). That said, there are lots of treatments available now which can reduce the impact and likelihood of the worst symptoms of AS! I take methotrexate, a DMARD and it has really helped me control my symptoms and manage the arthritis. Only a rheumy can prescribe DMARDs though (I think) so if things aren't good it is possibly worth asking your GP for a referral that way if you can get into see the GP not good service from them or A&E for you.

Walking and moving is always comfiest for me when I flare but then I am also as fatigued as can be so that makes moving pretty difficult, I use heat to soothe and sleep and just keep doing lots of little things like exercises from the physio if and when I can. When I am not flaring I do everything I can (walking lots on different grounds as much as I can) to maintain my core stability and give my joints the best chance next time I am in a flare.

Hope that helps and I really hope things are settling down again,

LVxx

barbara12

Hello Lizzy
I do hope today is a little better for you,I wish I could help but we are here to listen and help one another....you take care (((((())))) xx