Back pain when walking and standing

Sinead79

Hi everyone, I’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my back and over the last few months I have great difficulty walking and standing. If I walk anywhere I have to sit down at least every minute for a minute or so and then when I walk again and within 30 seconds the pain creeps up and I need to sit again. It’s taking me ages to get anywhere! Does anyone have any advice, maybe alternative remedies, as paracetamol does nothing and I can’t take ibuprofen due to stomach issues? I try to do yoga/Pilates every day but nothing seems to help…any advice would be much appreciated…thanks

yaz239

Hello @Sinead79 and welcome to the community!

Here you'll be able to seek support and advice from other people living with arthritis. The best way to find support is through engaging on the forum, if you feel comfortable of course.

In the meantime, here's some information you may find useful: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

Best wishes, Yas (Mod)

frogmorton

Morning @Sinead79

I am so sorry you sound to be in agony. My own back was pretty well fixed many years ago with surgery, but I can totally relate to your pain.

What on earth is your Dr doing to help? There are stronger pain meds than paracetamol you could be prescribed. I also can't take ibuprofen, but have prescription COX2 anti-inflammatories prescribed by the Dr which are much gentler on my stomach. Have you not even been referred for physiotherapy? In some areas you can self refer that might be worth looking into.

In your shoes I would also be thinking about walking aids so that you can keep moving. Backs seize if we don't use them. Now I walk every day even if only a short distance.

Have you tried heat? I swear by my microwavable wheatbags. If heat helps you can buy stick on heat patches in supermarkets which might help a little.

I also have a tens machine which can make a bit of difference.

Sending my best wishes

Toni x

Private123

Hi sinead79,

yes i have suffered with this & i have had injections in my lower back that have helped a lot.

this was arranged through my specialist.

noddingtonpete

Hello @Private123 and welcome to the Community.

I'm glad to see that injections in to your lower back have helped a lot. you might also like to have a look at the following form our website.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/back-pain/

Please keep on posting now you are here.

Best wishes

Peter

Private123

Hi sinead79,

yes i have suffered with this & i have had injections in my lower back that have helped a lot.

this was arranged through my specialist.

ChelleFox

Hey @Sinead79 - I have OA in my hips with pain radiating into my back, but I've also had disc problems and back pain my whole life. I find that keeping in motion helps, even tiny motion. When I stand, I try to stand on a wobble board or just shift my weight on my toes. When I sit I twist or rock in my office chair, tip my feet back and forth on that same wobbleboard, and my watch reminds me to stand up every 20-ish minutes.

I also can't take ibuprofen/aspirin/acetaminophen, so my doctor has prescribed duloxetine, which helps. Physiotherapy has had the biggest impact though, especially with the stretching and exercises they've sent me home with.

The most recent thing I've done (that I can't yet confirm helped, but I'm sure it is) - tossed all my crappy flats and other shoes, and replaced them with good quality shoes with good cushioning and arch support. Not full-on orthopedic, but the best I could find on the general market.

Good luck!

Sinead79

Thank you so much for all your advice everyone. I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow so am hoping they can prescribe stronger pain medication. I’m also thinking about CBD oil or gummies…does anyone have any experience with these and can recommend a good brand?