Arthritis in the spine

annajd
annajd Member Posts: 27
Hi There :smile:

my name is Anna(31) and live in mid wales, i have been suffering from back pain since i was 16. after years of going back to the Dr and getting told i have sciatica/pulled muscles etc, i finally talked (begged) the Dr into giving me an x-ray last month and as a result have a diagnosis. I have spinal stenosis and arthritis of the lower back/spine. I am finally happy (elated after 15 years) that i have a diagnosis and feel upbeat. The Dr doesnt want to give me meds as im too young, which i understand and has suggested i swim and attend some back care classes, which i have done. The Dr feels also that a referral to a specialist would not be needed as there would be nothing that they could do at this stage unless i really wanted a spinal fusion, which i feel i am too young for. i have also started to take glucosamine and fish oils.

I just feel like i have been left in limbo and been let down by the Dr's and have no one to talk to and dont know where to get advice apart from leaflets and have found you online.

i would be so grateful for any advice :smile:

A xx

x Anna x

Comments

  • michywishy
    michywishy Member Posts: 24
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I only joined this site yesterday aswell
    Its a bitter pill to swallow when you are so young to accept these conditions I have been suffering with premature osteoarthritis since I was 25 Im now 55!! I can sympathise with you :sad: I srtongly agree with ur GP but there is other help out there if you can afford an osteopath or a chiroprator :?: Def take the alternative meds too
    You have to find your own way of dealing with situations which is again very difficult when you are so young
    I found this site believe it or not thru my rheumatology dept 8) which is great so I will be posting on here... lots
    Take Care
  • michywishy
    michywishy Member Posts: 24
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    ps my spelling isnt great :shock:
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 15. May 2011, 06:42
    Hi Anna

    I am a forum member and I am so sorry to hear about your back pain. My daughter is the same age as you and has suffered with lower back pain since she was 20 years old. She helped a girl by carrying her very heavy suitcase up a flight of stairs at a station. As she got to the top of the stairs she felt a shearing pain in her back and the other girl strode off without even saying thank you.
    Since then her back has been "sensitive" but earlier this year she had a very bad time with her back and had to take time off work with a phased return to work. She read up on exercises for back problems and made up an exercise plan for herself and passed it by the physio who agreed it was good. She continued with her swimming (which she loves) and tries to swim most days. She had her work station assessed and at first had the pc adapted to turn off every 40 minutes for 10 minutes, so she got up from her chair and walked about/stretched. A new chair finally arrived for her. She went to back classes on the NHS. She has joined a pilates class for which she pays and the person in charge knows all about back problems. To date she is coping by swimming, breaks whilst at work,, getting up when in meetings, pilates and doing back exercises. My daughter now only takes cocodamol if her back is "playing up". She was on stronger drugs for a time after the flare up in her lower back. Her toes are numb on one leg and part of her calf but she can walk "normally" and has got used to this sensation when swimming. She has been told the numbness may or may not go, in time.

    Have you seen a physio at all?

    I do hope that you are able to find coping strategies, like my daughter has done.

    Look after yourself,
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,463
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Anna

    I am sorry to hear about all the difficulties you have experienced with your back, from an early age.

    Exercise is a good idea, though if you swim it is advisable to avoid breastroke. For more information on exercise and arthritis and coping with pain see our booklets at http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets and for information on back pain see http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis_information/arthritis_types__symptoms/back_pain.aspx.

    As you mention having no one to talk to about this, I would encourage you to ring our helplines on 0808 800 4050 (open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm), so you can have a confidential chat with one of us .

    I hope this helps.

    Regards

    Nick
    Helplines Team
  • annajd
    annajd Member Posts: 27
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    michywishy wrote:
    Hi I only joined this site yesterday aswell
    Its a bitter pill to swallow when you are so young to accept these conditions I have been suffering with premature osteoarthritis since I was 25 Im now 55!! I can sympathise with you :sad: I srtongly agree with ur GP but there is other help out there if you can afford an osteopath or a chiroprator :?: Def take the alternative meds too
    You have to find your own way of dealing with situations which is again very difficult when you are so young
    I found this site believe it or not thru my rheumatology dept 8) which is great so I will be posting on here... lots
    Take Care

    :grin: many thanks for your reply, and to all that have replied since i posted this. I think with me as i have been fobbed off for so long by the Dr's ( the best being, i go into the Dr's, bearly able to walk and he just brings out the sick note. anyone that suffers knows this is not helpful!), i am really pleased that finally i have a diagnosis and am trying to look into it to deal with it the best i can and to try and control the pain but just thought that the Dr's could have been a little more supportive and pointed me in the right direction instead of just leaving me to it.

    over the years i have been to osteopaths, chiropractors, accuputurists, herbalists and do have relief. the problem being that the cost soon mounts up :sad: i have found that the back care classes have really helped me and do enjoy talking to the others about their experiences.

    im sorry if i sound a bit bitter but am really not, i think i am just coming to terms with things

    thans again for you reply, it really helps to read other experiences that people have

    best wishes

    a x
    x Anna x
  • annajd
    annajd Member Posts: 27
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    elnafinn wrote:
    Hi Anna

    I am a forum member and I am so sorry to hear about your back pain. My daughter is the same age as you and has suffered with lower back pain since she was 20 years old. She helped a girl by carrying her very heavy suitcase up a flight of stairs at a station. As she got to the top of the stairs she felt a shearing pain in her back and the other girl strode off without even saying thank you.
    Since then her back has been "sensitive" but earlier this year she had a very bad time with her back and had to take time off work with a phased return to work. She read up on exercises for back problems and made up an exercise plan for herself and passed it by the physio who agreed it was good. She continued with her swimming (which she loves) and tries to swim most days. She had her work station assessed and at first had the pc adapted to turn off every 40 minutes for 10 minutes, so she got up from her chair and walked about/stretched. A new chair finally arrived for her. She went to back classes on the NHS. She has joined a pilates class for which she pays and the person in charge knows all about back problems. To date she is coping by swimming, breaks whilst at work,, getting up when in meetings, pilates and doing back exercises. My daughter now only takes cocodamol if her back is "playing up". She was on stronger drugs for a time after the flare up in her lower back. Her toes are numb on one leg and part of her calf but she can walk "normally" and has got used to this sensation when swimming. She has been told the numbness may or may not go, in time.

    Have you seen a physio at all?

    I do hope that you are able to find coping strategies, like my daughter has done.

    Look after yourself,
    Elna x
    Hi Elna that is such a sad story about your daughter, but thank you for sharing it with me. Please pass on my best wishes to her . i am currently waiting to have my work station assessed but already get up and walk about every 30 minutes or so. This week will be my third back care class, although i am in a bit more pain than usual as a result of the classes, i do find that i am able to stand for a little bit longer before i get pain than i used to so am determined to stick with it. I have been in and out of physio for years so have got to know the team. They have been really supportive and have put together a programme to follow. i have been also debating about joining a pilates class but want to get a little stronger first.

    i used to take diclofenec and diazaepan ( excuse the spelling), but now try and cope with cocodemel much like your daughter. I also use a tens machine which does help ease the pain, has your daughter tried using a tens? i get the numbness down my leg and cannot lie flat in bed.

    i think with me i wasnt sure what the pain was before and was always a bit nervous of doing too much just in case i was doing more harm than good. Now i have a diagnosis i can be a bit more careful and realise it is ok to stop and rest. i am determind to lead a full and normal life as possible.

    best wishes

    a x
    x Anna x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Anna

    My daughter too found the back classes helpful and like you found it good to speak with others with back pain and problems but she was also greatly saddened by hearing some of their stories and to see how much in pain they were and so on. At the moment since the time she had to be off work and the three not so good months that followed, she is on an even keel with her life, although she is rarely completely free of pain and knows what she can and cannot do. One surgeon told her that it would reoccur within the year and to make an appointment to see him in 12 months. She has put this remark to the back of her mind and hopes when she sees him in one year, she can tell him he was wrong.
    My daughter lives to swim so she is very happy that she can continue this. It helps her both physically and mentally. She has joined swimming clubs so has a new circle of friends too. She swims anywhere, has a wetsuit and would swim in a puddle if it was big enough!

    She has not used a tens machine and can lie in bed ok but has trouble turning over sometimes and every morning when getting out of bed is a constant reminder that she has a cranky back but a shower usually helps.

    Chin up, I wish you well,

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • annajd
    annajd Member Posts: 27
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Anna

    I am sorry to hear about all the difficulties you have experienced with your back, from an early age.

    Exercise is a good idea, though if you swim it is advisable to avoid breastroke. For more information on exercise and arthritis and coping with pain see our booklets at http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets and for information on back pain see http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis_information/arthritis_types__symptoms/back_pain.aspx.

    As you mention having no one to talk to about this, I would encourage you to ring our helplines on 0808 800 4050 (open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm), so you can have a confidential chat with one of us .

    I hope this helps.

    Regards

    Nick
    Helplines Team


    hi Nick

    many thanks for you advice. i have had a quick look at the links and some of the booklets and advice have been really helpful especially the one on how to cope. I suppose relief would descibe me, which my friends think is weird so i was starting to question my feelings. also the booklet on relationships has been useful. when i was diagnosed, i spoke my hubbie and said that i would fully understand if he wanted to leave as things will get worse when i am older. i couldnt bear to think that i would hold him back - thankfully he told me not to be silly.

    i am finding this forum very useful and already feel that i am not alone

    a xx
    x Anna x
  • annajd
    annajd Member Posts: 27
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Elna

    many thanks again for your message. I truely wish your daughter well and continues to do so

    a x
    x Anna x
  • BLEUGIRL
    BLEUGIRL Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi im also new 2 this forum but the people are great on here, i can understand how u feel, iv been told i have arther in my spine, & iv also said the same 2 my partner about holdin him back.

    best wishes jane xx
  • annajd
    annajd Member Posts: 27
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    BLEUGIRL wrote:
    hi im also new 2 this forum but the people are great on here, i can understand how u feel, iv been told i have arther in my spine, & iv also said the same 2 my partner about holdin him back.

    best wishes jane xx
    Hi Jane

    many thanks for your reply, sorry that i havent replied sooner, this is the first time i have visited the forum for quite a while. since being diagnosed, i have had an MRI which showed i have DDD to my lumbar spine and a few other bits and pieces too. have been offered spinal injections but told i need a 3 level spinal fusion which at my age, they are not going to do. i have tried back care classes but the consultant advised agaisnt them as siad my back was too weak to the moment to be doing exercises that focuses on the back so i walk more and do aqua aerobics instead.

    My husband is so supportive but i feel so guilty still that he looks after me.

    anyway onwards and upwards

    A xx
    x Anna x