Degeneration in spine

grinnbear

Hello,

Im new, and i was wondering if someone caould help.

I have suffered Fibromyalgia foe 12 years now, but juring the spring last year, I began to get a permanant pain in my left hip, different pain that FMS. Sept, my Dr sent me for an x-ray on my back and l hip. My FMS pain would be really extreme in my back, but the one I have in my hip is diiferent.

The x-ray came back min degeneration in L2 L3 spine, but showed nothing regarding wear and tear in my hip.

I cant understand why this pain is constantly in my hip, it definatley is not the same as FMS pain, can anyone help me. Is degeneration degeneration Arthritis?, my Dr calls it wear and tear.

My mother sufferers osteoarthritis, and my grandmother was bed ridden with rh/ arthritis.


Comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

frogmorton

Hi
Poor you! That sounds painful.
I had degenetation in spine about 20 years ago, then 5 years ago had back surgery for disc that wouldn't go back as the degeneration let it pop out :shock:
I also had a fracture of the plate? I think all started 20 years ago.
Now I still have pain in my rt hip which I have been told id nerve damage. It really feels like my hiop too. A bit like I have been kicked in the side by a horse
I tried nerve type meds - gabapentin - and it didn't work for me
I find best lying on opstite side with pillow between knees and sometimes ibuprofen gel helps too. Heat pad works sometimes and sometimes just pain killers
Sorry can't be of more help, but someone else might know more.
Take care
Toni

woodbon

Hi

Apparenly Docs tend to refer to osteo arthritis as degerative arthritis or 'wear and tear'. Its supposed to be less frightening!!!

I have osteoathritis in my spine, I get the pain in my inner thigh! The physio told me that is because it is effecting the nerve that runs down to there! Sue

eckstardeluxe

Hi. My OA is from L4 right down to S1. I am in advanced/end stage I feel pain in my lower back, buttocks, legs and even my neck and shoulders. After getting some advice from the folks on here I saw the Dr about the shoulder/neck pain just to make sure it wasn't arthur spreading. Fortunately it didn't, I have secondary OA meaning mines has a specific cause ie trauma/injury to spine in childhood. Primary OA happens due to age or wear and tear. But the shoulder pain was a sprain, the quack says because of the pain in my back I am going about things differently to avoid hurting myself so putting strain on parts of my body not really near my OA. Also I've found since my spinal illness in childhood my back was never just sore round the affected areas, the whole back was sore. I think because your main nerve runs from your brain right down your spinal column into your legs may be why you are experiencing the pain elsewhere. I'd want to get further tests done, Xrays only really show when there has been significant damage to the bone and surrounding areas. Other scans such as MRI may give them a better picture. Good luck

grinnbear

Thanks very much for replying guys,

To tell the truth, I think I have arthritis in other places as well. Its funny how you can tell the difference between pain.

I have FMS pains almost everywhere, yet I have arthritis pain in my left thumb base, little finger in my right hand, both my knees(as well as FMS pain there) and left ankle, with fms pain also in the front of my feet. Also both elbows.

Thanks for the info abouth the scan, my problem is that I dont complain enough to my Dr. She is very good though. However, i still do what I have always done for years and thats just try to get on with things. It really gets me down to ponder on things.

My mum gave me arthritec tabs one day to see if that would help my pain, but Dr told me that I cant take these because of my ASthma. I cant take codiene because of IBS. So really, I am limited, to Cuprofen 400mg and Paracetamol in between, various rubs etc heat messager and tens. A not really that good, Hot water bottle is great.

Anyone make any suggesstions re other meds that may help my pain.

Thanks :roll:

eckstardeluxe

Hi again

I know what you mean about not seeing the Dr enough, but my story would definitely make you change your mind. I didn't go enough and only realised 20 years after my OA started that I'm at the worst stage. If I'd gone sooner then I could have at least changed my lifestyle or got drugs sooner so I'd go and see them. Drugs wise I take Tramadol, very good for the pain no real side effects, diclofenac is good too but you take another tablet with this to prevent stomach irritation. Solpadol is fantastic, much better than standard co-codomal or co-dydramol. Amytryptaline at night helps me sleep better. Diazepam now and again is great for the muscle spasms, somedays it is an absolute godsend but it does make you sleepy at times. Good luck x

skezier

Hi,
Firstly welcome, I hope you find this site helpfull, there a nice bunch. I just wondered has your doctor made you an appointment with a specialist, either a rumo or and orthopod? If not see if you can get one. My spine from L1 down has almost burnt it's self out. There is a lot of bone degeneration but luckilly it's also full of new bone growth as well. The same thing is now going on in my neck, though I had most of my lower back discs removed and the neck, I guess, is more painful cus it's got them breaking down as well. You sound like you have the refered pain thing. I really think it may be wise to see if an MRI could be done and if you can see a consultant as they are so much better in the field of bones, what to do and pain control.
As to what they can do it would depend on whats in there. Sometimes surgery is a good thing and sometimes it isn't. What you do need to find out is what's happening to the rest of your spine not just the bones. As to pain relife different things suit different people. I think Toni has already said that eh?
With OA the bones them selves can rub together and cause pain, the disc's are often degererating as well and all of it can cause preliferal nerve pressure. That could be why you have pain in your hips as well.
You really should try and get a referal from your gp. I really do wish you well. Don't get worried degeneration happens at different rates and can be quite slow. I was an idiot and choose to go head to head with my spine it wanted to take my life away and I wouldn't have it, I still just about get away with it 23 years on.
Oh I don't know as OA has a genetic link. I have a fair bit my mother had none, my father has some now but he's old and don't have much though my gran did have something and a humped back. Even if it does it doesn't mean it will happen to you in the same way. It's hard when you first get it, I was fine with it as I had already done my spine in and had different bad news and knew problems were there and more would come but I have had a couple of other 'suprises' and you do need to find your own way on dealing and processing the info. Try to find out what its up to and then they will have abetter idea as to what to do. I have no idea if this will help, a lot of people here have more experience than me and will help more. Take care

woodbon

Hi,
Their is a genetic link with OA for some of us. My Mum had OA in her spine and most other places, but it didn't get too bad until the last years of her life. Even then she managed very well, looking back, had a spinal fusion and what not. But its not always genetic, my sister is fine and shes 17 years older than me! Love Sue

grinnbear

Thanks everyone for your replies, your all really nice here.

I think I will make an appointment with my GP to see if she will refer me, I'm just experiencing too much other that the Fibro so I will start to take some action to try and get it sorted.

Once again, thanks

chelseadog

I also suffer from Osteo arthritis and have recently had a cortisone in my hip and my knee. However, if the pain and ache is in your spine, you may want to look into Spina Bifida Occulta. That is what I discovered I have a year ago but like you Drs were telling me it is the usual wear and tear! Very common for them to say this when they themselves don't know. What that means is that your spinal chord is tethered. What are your other symptoms ie are your feet normal - by that I mean are your toes curling or not?

It may explain a lot.

Hope that helps and you feel better soon.

woodbon

I think once oa gets you, it likes to pop up all over the place :shock: Mines in in my hips as well as spine and neck and hands.......on and on. Pain relief does help a bit though. Love Sue