Severe pain in my lower spine. - Arthritis Action

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Severe pain in my lower spine.

JDQuinn75 profile image
28 Replies

For the last four days my lower back has hurt like you wouldn’t believe. Yesterday morning I could barely get out of bed and this morning was the same way. We’ve had very cold temps come in so maybe that’s why. It right now it hurts to get up from a sitting position or to even walk with out the pain dropping me to my knees. The last four days have been miserable and unbearable as well. OTC drugs aren’t helping. Any suggestions would greatly appreciated. Thanks

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JDQuinn75
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28 Replies

That's how I felt one morning. Rang for an ambulance and had X-rays. 4 fractured vertebrae and a diagnosis of Osteoporosis. Please get youself checked out ASAP.

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

I have osteoarthritis in my spine poemsgalore1. I’ve had it for several years now . It just seem each winter that comes , if feel worse than the winter before. My gp isn’t doing anything about it and the only thing my neurologist has had me get is an X-ray October of last year. When I feel this way I can barely walk. Bending over to get something I’ve dropped well that’s next to impossible .

in reply to JDQuinn75

I'm sorry, I didn't ealise. But I feel you should be having some kind of treatment. I take AdcalD3 twice daily (on prescription) and an annual infusion of Zoledronic Acid. Are you a member of the Bone Health community (for Osteoporosis) If not, check it out, or nos.org.uk for more advice. there is a free helpline 0808 800 0035

"Call our Helpline for tailored information about osteoporosis and bone health. Our friendly team of specialist nurses are here to help anyone who wishes to contact the Helpline. You may have osteoporosis, or be a friend or family member of someone who does. Health and social care professionals are also invited to get in touch.

"

Osteoporosis Helpline nurses

The service is provided by nurses with specialist knowledge of osteoporosis and bone health. Our nurses are supported by a group of scientific and medical advisers, to ensure the information they give is accurate, independent and up-to-date.

Our osteoporosis Helpline is free from UK landines, mobiles and call boxes. You do not need to be a member of the charity to use this service.

How to contact the Helpline

You can contact our specialist nurses in one of three ways:

Call 0808 800 0035 - free from all UK landlines, mobiles and call boxes

Email nurses@nos.org.uk for a reply within 5 working days

Write to the nurses for a reply within 7 working days: Helpline, National Osteoporosis Society, Camerton, Bath, BA2 0PJ

Our nurses are here to take your call between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday, with the exception of Bank Holidays and Christmas closure. Occasionally, the Helpline is closed for training.

Callers who are hard of hearing can use Typetalk. A translation service is provided for calls via Languageline.

"

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

No I have joined that community poemsgalore1. I’m just on this one and one other. But I’ve always have the feeling that mine is more than just OA. I know if you you have one form of arthritis a second is sure to follow. Both OA and RArun in my family on both sides. I was diagnosed with OA three years ago . At the time it was just in my hands , knees and shoulders. But now it in my back and hip as well. I fear before long it’ll force me to start using a wheelchair before I’m 50. That’s my biggest fear.

in reply to JDQuinn75

Yes, I've had RA 31 years and OA about 5 years, mainly in my hips. But the OP - by far the worse even though it isn't arthritis. I still think you ought to either have a DEXA scan or an XRay of your spine

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

The lumbar spine was X-ray October of last year, and showed sign of degenerative in that area plus signs in my right hip as well. Now the thoraticic area hasn’t been as of yet , but cervical area has “ my neck and they’re signs in that area as well but are minor signs. So needless to say it’s all down my spine area now with in a two year period.

Jeanie130264 profile image
Jeanie130264

Hi i have been the same the pain in my spine and hips the past few days have been really bad . My daughter had to help me out of bed as i was in agony . My tablets didnt even touch the pain . Goibg back to see my dr tomorrow to see if he can give me a different pain killer . The pain is getting me down.

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to Jeanie130264

Jeanie, Standing up for over eight hours while working was very painful for me and it was all I could do to make it through the day. Friday I could barely get myself out of bed and into the shower to get ready for work. Not to mention trying to get dressed as well.

Hi I have pain in my lower spine to which is osteoarthritis and I to find it hard to get out of bed sometimes, but I also had cervical myelopathy which I had surgery July this year, there are no guarantees with this surgery, still suffering with pain in neck and lower back so I know what your going through

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

But my struggle to walk is there at times. It does force me to sit when my don’t want to.

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75

Tripod, I feel mine every day anymore. I can’t seem to get a doctor to help me. Every time I bring it up to my gp about the pain in my back acting up he doesn’t do a thing about it. The more I move around on my feet any more the more I hurt. Hard surface floors makes mine act up more it seems. So what do I do? It was October of last year. I’m only 43 and I’m considering a couple of options for myself. Just need to figure out what would help me out more in the long run.

in reply to JDQuinn75

I know where you are coming from, my go is really good and does help me plus I am under a neurosurgeon but they will not discuss my lower back yet until they know if and what damage I have from cervical myelopathy, is your day the same everyday like when you said you struggle to get out of bed, what medication are you on

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

As far as meds go for the pain. I haven’t found one that helps. I’ve tried about five different one since 2015 . My days vary. I have good days and bad ones. But when I have a bad day as much as I hate to say this, but those day I wish I had a wheelchair to get around in. As far as the upper middle of my spine yes that’s bothersome as well every day all day. I don’t feel it in my neck yet but I have been told that it’s starting in my neck after an X-ray of my neck was done last year for something else not my osteoarthritis. I’m sure once I start feeling it in my neck I’ll probably have weakness in my legs then.

in reply to JDQuinn75

Have they put you on oral morphine, yes my days are the same yes and a wheelchair would help I had to go to the dr as urgent appointment just really couldn’t walk and the dr said to m daughter get your mum a wheelchair from here and don’t let her walk back to the car so yes it can be really bad, I think it helps a bit if you can speak to someone else who is going through the same, and with your neck as soon as you feel pins and needle in your arms and hands and weakness get it checked out straight away I was ignored by the hospital then moved to another hospital then they diagnosed me with cervical myelopathy which was diagnosed late so it’s looking like I will have permanent damage to my spinal cord

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

A lot of others have told me to avoid a wheelchair at all cost . That it’s the worst thing I could possibly do. But I’ve had probably 3 maybe four say I needed to consider in to looking into one for myself to keep on hand for my bad days. I’ve had days already that have put me in tears when it came to my upper and lower spine. This is my biggest fear having to do this. I’ve shopped different ones already. Theses cold snap days make it really hard at times for me . The last bad day I had I could barely get in or out of the shower. Let alone getting dressed afterwards was a chore.

in reply to JDQuinn75

I know you don’t want to rely on a wheelchair but if you can’t walk you need one for those days to help you I had to use one but I don’t really like going in them but does help on those bad days,and it can be very difficult todo anything when the pain is bad

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

Traypod, It’s my worst fear with the arthritis in my spine now having to start using a wheelchair to get around. I’ve already looked at different ones. If I consider going that way I’ll get the lightest I can buy For several reasons. Loading into my car on my own . I think the way to go is a rigid wheelchair. I really like the tilite chairs . The only downside is they’re expensive. Plus I have no clue what my measurements are to get the perfect fit. I’d guess I’d have to have an pt or opt take my measurements before I even consider on getting one for myself. I guess I have to get on my gp about referring me to an opt or pt. Fighting this only makes it worse so I’m finding. Who would of that I’d find myself having to use a wheelchair do to arthritis pain . I’m sure not liking the thought of having to.

in reply to JDQuinn75

You need to do what makes you feel comfortable with less pain, yes you need to be measured for a wheelchair so it’s right for you

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

Ya I know I would Traypod. But I also know that it probably going to be hard to convince my doctor that I need to start using one from time to time for my bad days. Of course I haven’t brought up the subject to him about me using one either. Do to the thought of possibly needing to. But I do find that hard surface floors bother me the most, if I’m standing on them for a long length of time. Carpet floors don’t. It’s been that way for me for some time now. For the last few years at least. This time of the tear is the worst for me, although during the summer this year I had several days that were not good this year. A few week ago mine was bad enough I could barely get out of bed and into the shower to get ready for work. If that tells you anything.

in reply to JDQuinn75

I don’t think you would have to convince your dr you need one surely your medical records would tell them, they must see you struggling

in reply to

I wouldn’t want to use a wheelchair but if I went to my dr and said could you help me get one I’m sure she would she has been fantastic with helping me

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

Traypod believe me I really don’t want to go the route of a wheelchair either as of yet. But with the way mine is acting or should say has been acting the last couple of years, I feel this is probably the best way to go . Only a sitting position eases the pain I have in my back. Standing aggravates it more from what I’m finding out. Laying down helps too. It’s why I sit a lot when I’m home because it helps with the pain I have . I may have to use this wheelchair for both when I’m home and when I’m out getting my errands done. I don’t know . But something is telling me I will at times. Depending on how the day is.

in reply to JDQuinn75

Have you had any ops on your spine

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

No I haven’t just the one X-ray last October. My neurologist ordered that X-ray not my gp. I went online last night just for the heck of it and priced out a Tilite TR wheelchair just to see it would cost and came to a little over $ 7,500 . That was on the sportaid website. That’s supposed to be one of Tilites lightest wheelchairs. I won’t consider having a cortisone shot in my lower back. To much can go wrong with that.

in reply to JDQuinn75

I had them injection in my lumber spine and it did nothing at all, that’s pricey isn’t it for a wheelchair

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

Ya it is for a wheelchair. But if I’m going to invest in one to use when I need one , mine as well get one that will last. The tilite are supposed to be fitted so it fits the user like a glove. That’s one of the reasons I was looking at that brand.

in reply to JDQuinn75

Yes that is very true, I had trouble getting out of bed this morning with the pain it’s that bad it can take my breath away is that how you feel, morphine helped me though

JDQuinn75 profile image
JDQuinn75 in reply to

Some mornings yes I do. Other days I feel that way all day. It just depends on the day for me. Mine has acted up all week and weekend. Once arthritis starts it’s never ending it seems. I’ve battled this for almost 6 years now. Never thought I’d feel this bad in this short period of time of having osteoarthritis. It’s in several of my joints now since it started on me in 2013. Three years after it started is when it started in my spine. So truthfully it’s been in my spine for almost three years now. Sleeping in flannel pjs and sheets helps me in the winter some during the night. But the mornings are a bear at times.

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