Hi everyone i posted the other week about being diagnosed with mild oa of the knees. I feel like I have it in other places. Every morning I wake up with numbness in my lower back and right bum cheek, I've had on going back problems for years and have it when my back seizes up and always get told by doctor I've got a bad back. Recently but didn't mention this to my doctor ( I could kick myself for this grrr) my neck is so stiff and crunches also get shooting pains in my right arm that takes me by surprise and brings tears to my eye. Another strange thing is my toes on my right foot I can only slightly bend them, I can do it manually, has anyone had this or any idea what it could be... I have made a double appointment with a different Dr as I last one was abit arsey. I was also given naproxen but had to stop taking it as I was going toilet about 6 times a day and getting anxiety and palpataions. I'm hoping this doctor will really listen to me as I need answers.
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Comments
Sun Tzu
OA starts in one joint but can progress. Your neck is simply the top of your spine so, if you have OA elsewhere in your spine, it's quite likely it has moved upwards.
I've never had the numbness or shooting pains which you describe but, from what I've read on here, others do seem to get such things when their spinal OA is impinging on nerves.
As for the toe - I can't remember what normal toes do but I do remember a time when I could move several joints manually but not in the normal way. To me, that would mean a need to exercise that joint to keep the muscles working. I'm not sure how. Maybe by squeezing it over a soft ball or some Playdough you'll get some movement back.
I think you're doing the right thing by seeing a different doc and ensuring you have time for a talk about it all. Some physio might help a lot. And swimming. Why not ask while you're there?
Good luck and please let us know how you get on.
Sun Tzu
I think you're still concerned that you might have RA or some other autoimmune form of arthritis. Given your family history of autoimmune problems and your own other autoimmune problems this seems a reasonable concern. Not all GPs are aware that some autoimmune forms of arthritis can be sero-negative. I suggest you read up here before going. https://www.nras.org.uk/seropositive-seronegative .
If it were me, I'd also want to ask about the shooting pains and numbness. Do they mean that the arthritic damage is causing nerve problems. If so, what can be done.
I still see exercise as your best bet for improving matters so I'd be asking about physio. Many of us on here are reliant on doing our regular physio exercises to stop things getting worse quickly.
Sun Tzu
Push for back xrays ? Ask doc.
Crp can be abnormal for lots of reasons. My experience anything over 5 can be uncomfortable.
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Good luck
Sun Tzu
They are a very busy team so will be much in demand.