Newbie to this x

LeedsMel

Hi everyone… i'm 51 and recently been diagnosed with arthritis in the bottom of my spine. Not sure what kind as I need to make appointment with a physio to discuss this. I'm scared, anxiety through the roof and feel lost. Is this normal? What questions should I be asking? I feel very alone with this atm. Any tips or advise would be really appreciated x Mel 😬

MaryL44

Hi @LeedsMel and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I'm so sorry you're feeling so anxious but rest assured that the members of this community have probably all felt the same anxiety so you are not alone. I'm sure you will get some replies from our members that will contain very good advice.

In the meantime our website is a mine of information so do look at it. You might be particularly interested in:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-spine/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2023/june/how-can-i-prepare-for-a-doctor-s-appointment-if-i-have-arthritis/

Keep checking back here for our members' responses.

Please keep posting now you are here and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Mary

frogmorton

Hi @LeedsMel

I totally understand how you feel it's scary to be given a potentially life changing diagnosis (or partial diagnosis in your case).

we have all been there and all felt terrified of the future, angry, tearful all sorts of emotions. Personally i was a total pain in the rear to my friends and family - wouldn't plan anything in case I was in too much pain and became an arthritis bore. It's all I talked about. Time passed and I got my meds, I learnt what helped and things seemed to settle.

Your back may well improve substantially if you do the physio exercises you will be given. If we can strengthen the soft tissue (muscles etc) around an injured area we are protecting it.

I am going to send you some useless ((())) and advise you to keep posting keep reading reliable info (not Dr Google!) and do your physio.

The things which have helped me are MSM gel/anti-inflam gels/my tens machine and above all my trusty microwavable wheatbag.

Take care

Toni x

WeeJ

hi - i am new to this site too (tho sadly not to arthritis)…. talking about it to people who understand what you are going through can be so helpful - then you realise you are not going off your head. Be proactive and ask whatever questions come in to your head (no question is insignificant and knowledge can help you feel in control). Trusting things settle over the coming weeks and you get the help/physio you need.

Anna

Hi @WeeJ and welcome to the online community,

It's great to see you stepping in and sharing useful information and support - as you say, talking with others who understand can be really helpful, and it's what makes this community such a valuable place for people with arthritis.

Looking forward to seeing more of your posts,

Anna

Moira

Hi, backs are a nightmare but trust your physio. I have found they are much nicer and more understanding than doctors. They will give you exercises (there are also some on the website here) and do keep them up. I can't get up and down onto the floor and my physio was brilliant for giving me alternatives.

It really helps, even if at first you feel you are getting nowhere. The muscles support the bones and strong muscles help to support the spine and thus ease the pain a bit. There is also medication and anti-imflamatory creams that will help too. Talk to your physio - generally they are nice, helpful, kind and knowledgable.

Good luck.

LeedsMel

Thank you all for the welcoming comments and tips and advice 😁