Arthritis in the spine

[Darkfae78]

Afternoon my name is Claire and I am 42 I was diagnosed in 2017 with arthritis in my spine and was put on tramadol which helped with the pain but after a while my body became to used to it and was less effective so I changed my meds and went on to tapentadol which is a slow release medication which I take at night I also started using essential oils and then after research started using vic vapour rub and olbus oil which has been amazing my diet is good as I love veggies I started looking into what food would help or hinder my condition.

It’s important to do exercise as it does help with mobility just make sure it’s the the right exercise for your type of arthritis but there are days when just walking up the stairs or around the house can be extremely difficult and painful and the psychological aspects do have an effect as it makes you feel like you are the only one who understands and can make you feel very tired and sometimes very depressed but there are ways to combat this I like to read and listen to music and I love to watch Disney films as it takes me back to being happy as a child which helps the mind get out of its dark funk also dancing is a great way to lift your spirits if you can manage it

Hope some of this helps and remember no matter how bad you feel no matter how bad the pain there are people in the world what have it much worse this stops me from feeling to sorry for myself as I have family and friends and a home while a lot of people have nothing

[Happyrosie]

Thank you, Claire

[1vern0n]

Hello Darkfea78, I was very interested to read your post as you seem to be very positive with your spinal arthritis. I am at a similar stage as in spinal stenosis was diagnosed in 2009 however I am not managing my condition very well. I was stable with my pain levels until three years ago when a "flare-up" never flared-down. My GP wanted to manage my combination of meds and exercise in-house but I had problems tolerating Co-codamol and Tramadol and last year asked to be referred to a Pain Clinic. My telephone appointment has eventually come through for tomorrow so we will see. I am open to trying anything but hope a referral to a spine orthopaedic specialist could be an outcome. You have a wonderful optimistic attitude. Take care.

[Darkfae78 in reply to 1vern0n]

Sometimes when my meds run out I don’t immediately reorder them as I like to give my body a chance to clear itself of all the crap i put into it and let it balance itself naturally this may not work for everyone but sometimes you have to listen to what your body is telling you and don’t go online and self diagnose that is the worst thing to do you’ll drive yourself nuts 🥜 find forums like this and understand your body before self diagnosing. It’s hard to be upbeat all the time and when I’m low and in the dark swirling water I let myself sink so I can swim back up and I’m an awesome swimmer 🌈

[LesE62 in reply to 1vern0n]

Hi folks,I have reading your posts and I thought I would add some of my story.

I have suffered back pain for years now and was diagnosed 4-5 years ago now when things came to a head. I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, arthritis, spondylolisthesis and a sequestered disc fragment at L4/L5. In Oct 2017 after xrays, scans, injections etc I had a spinal fusion.

Following on from this I still really suffer from back pain, chronic pain and nerve damage. My surgeon has been great but retrospectively found that I had "sclerosis" in my sacroiliac joints and has now referred me to his colleague to consider having SI joint fusion. As you can imagine I am not very sure about more surgery but covid has delayed things and I still haven't spoke to him.

Sorry to have diverted a bit BUT due to the severe pain post surgery and the fact that I had to take early ill health retirement, I was referred to the Pain Management clinic which was the start of the realisation of the changes I was going to have accept and deal with in my life.

I know this isn't for everyone but what a difference this had made to me. There are many different "tools" you are armed with and you take from it what works for you. In addition they explain how the pain and nerve system work and affect things. I honestly couldn't grasp how my situation was affecting me so badly and this perplexed me even although I had some health knowledge as I was employed within the NHS. So with all the information you get in addition to pain meds etc I really now understand my condition better.

I still suffer pretty bad pain and I too struggle greatly to manage and cope with it. I know I am my own worst enemy as pacing sometimes goes out the window but the frustration just gets me at not being able to do so many things.

I too use hot water bottle, rubs, gels etc but I haven't tried turmeric or the cbd rub but would definitely try anything.

1vern0n ....I really hope your phone appt starts something of a positive journey although I know the situation has changed how these approaches are having to be delivered but I am sure you will be able to get something from it.

Good luck and take care.

[KnockingKnee in reply to LesE62]

I totally agree with pain management- I had my first spinal fusion in 1983 (The longest they’ve done I believe at thoracic level 1 to lumber level 2, with a titanium road. I subsequently suffered a lot of nerve pain plus more physical pain in one specific area of my back. I was not coping and was referred to St Thomas’s Hospital where I was under anaesthetist Charles Pither. He literally saved my life. Whilst the nerve blocks only gave temporary relief it was the management of the pain that helped. I was told I was atypical in challenging the pain and overcompensating rather than hiding away. That possibly made it worse. The hospital requested my scans and wrote to my ortho team saying they thought my fusion looked very ropey in the area where I was experiencing a lot of pain. Initially The ortho team had dismissed my pleads of pain and I was told to ‘Go home and take a dispirin’. Now armed with my anaesthetists letter I tried again and was listened to and ended up having a rib removed and another spinal fusion! Apparently I had reacted to the metal and developed pseudarthritis. Persistence certainly paid off in my case or I’d still be in agony and desperate. It just needed someone to listen. Good luck. Pain is ugly, debilitating and saps your energy and will you live. I hope you find someone willing to listen. X