Diagnosed at 27 with osteoarthritis in spine

Elvisfan

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my spine last year I was only 27 now 28. I also have disc degeneration prolapsed disc bulging disc. Plus sciatica and a lot of muscle spasims. I felt something was wrong but Dr's never believed me. I had to fight for an mri scan. I've suffered with back problems for years as genetic but since being diagnosed I honestly feel like my life is over. I'm in excruciating pain on a daily basis every morning and night I'm so stiff and hurts to just move. Dr's kept saying was due to my weight which I did agree at first so I lost 15stone but problems got worse I struggle to walk most days. My pharmacist told me about this site and hoping if anyone has any tips on how I can have a better quality of life. I feel like it's not fair I had to give up the job I loved as was to much to bear. Any tips would be very much appreciated

PeterJ

Hello @Elvisfan and welcome to the community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you have osteoarthritis in your spine amongst other issues and in a lot of pain. Have you had a look through our website? It contains a lot of useful information and I would recommend having a look around. To help I've put a couple of links in below.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/emotional-wellbeing/

Please do keep posting and let us know how you are getting on and I am sure that others will connect with you to share their support and experiences as well.

With very best wishes

Peter

DebbieL

Hi Elvisfan,

I was in pain every day and night and was scared to do any exercise or anything really in case it made the pain worse.I had a couple of physio sessions organised by my doctor which didn’t help at all. After over a year of painkillers I finally had a MRI scan and was diagnosed with OA of lower spine. I was 54 and was devastated so I can imagine how you felt at 27. The thought of constant pain stretching ahead for years and my limitations was like a dead end with no way out. I wrote an email of complaint to my GP as no support or way forward was given to me- just the bad news. I got an appointment straight away . My pain relief was reviewed and I was referred to a specialist. The specialist gave me options of physio, well being or pain management. I took the physio. With some simple exercises my pain reduced dramatically. I got the confidence to exercise, to walk the dog and cycle. Mostly I only need painkillers at night so I can sleep. Mornings are still painful but it ease’s as I start to move about. I have swapped my medication around to find what suits me rather than just accepting what I was initially offered. I have a 4inch memory foam topper on my mattress that makes being in bed more comfortable.Heat pads also help. I have accepted that some days will be bad but I have more good days now. Try not to give up and accept. Talk to your GP and try and get more specialist help- keep going back until they help. Try to keep moving-!I know it’s hard but for me it was worth it. The more I move the better I sleep and overall the pain has reduced.

I hope you find some improvement in your condition and find a way forward.

take care

Debbie