Chronic inflammation round wedge fracture.

[Danni54]

Hi all. I am desperate and was wondering whether I could get advice as to why there is chronic inflammation round my wedge fracture. Our medic's have me totally confused as I had a DEXA Scan 2 years ago which showed that I have Osteoporosis in various places having had a hysterectomy when I was 34. 3 years ago I noticed a hard lump at the base of my spine, told my Dr. who did nothing. Then the scan showed I have 2 wedge fracture's but now they are saying I have 1 wedge fracture which shows chronic inflammation. I wasn't given any help, advice or medication for the Osteoporosis and my spine pain is now, excruciating. I have electrical tremors running across and below the lump and when the pain is extreme ( every day!) my back feels as though it's on fire. The pain is getting worse and my leg's are in a bad way too. I have had RLS for almost 2 year's and I'm wondering whether that is connected to the fracture's ? I am now on Buprenorphine thanks to advice from the RLS Forum which has stopped the kicking but my leg's still feel cold and strange. I'm worn out with the pain and have a half life. I am seeing a Dr. on Wednesday and I'm going to ask to see the Specialist Spine Team at our hospital. I keep getting contradictory information from our Dr.s and I'm desperate. Does anybody else here have chronic inflammation with a wedge fracture and what causes that and are leg's affected ? Can anything be done to help?I would be grateful for any advice. Sorry to rattle on!

[fraid]

That all sounds dreadful, hope you can get some help from doc. My friend has RLS and can't sleep with it. Are your meds anti- inflammatories for your fracture?Although Fentanyl patches, top up with Tramadol for pain they don't help the inflammation that goes with 6 fractures so occ. I take a Nurofen with Tramadol and that really shuts it up! For a while but Nurofen rots my guts so I only take one when I really can't put up with any more of its nonsense! Maybe you can talk to the experts on here for advice, there's a contact number somewhere on this site. Good luck. 🤞

[Danni54 in reply to fraid]

Hi. I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I went for over a year not being able to sleep and being up through the night, ironing, washing windows etc. and being exhausted every day and every night with RLS . Previously, I had been on Dipipanone and Cyclizine off and on for 20 year's because of Endometriosis, adhesions from ops etc . Then being left for 15 month's with a tumour on my lung which the Pain Clinic ignored because they were "focusing on another area "! I became extremely ill with a couple of Dr.s thinking I had become a hypochondriac! I got rushed to hospital with Pneumonia where the Consultant asked me why I hadn't had treatment for the tumour! I asked what tumour! Long story short...I had a Lobectomy but have been left with multiple health problems and about 2 year's ago my Dr.s in their wisdom, stopped my Dipipanone which is an Opioid but put nothing in place to help me so I went cold turkey for 9 day's. That was fun !!!! I have Diverticulitis now so can only take certain painkiller's. Thank goodness I got wonderful advice from lovely people on the RLS Forum who suggested trying Buprenorphine ( an Opioid! ) for my leg's . After a battle with the Pain Clinic and my Dr. they were prescribed and have helped the kicking during the night but I still get breakthrough pain from the fracture's and my back feels as though it's on fire. I , also, still have cold, numb lower leg's. I'm so exhausted with the pain and when I get the electrical tremors where the fracture's are then my leg's give way. I never, ever thought that I would end up like this because through everything I have been through with the Endo and multiple stomach operations I carried on looking after parent's, walking dog's, painting, tutoring etc. but this has floored me .Sorry! Didn't mean to offload. I will have a look at the Osteoporosis information and hopefully will understand what exactly is happening! Thank you so much for replying and I wish you all the very best. People here are amazing with the way you all cope so bravely. Take care. All the very best.

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi Danni54,

Thank you for sharing your story on here, it sounds like it’s been a really difficult and exhausting time for you with one thing after another to cope with, so we really hope you find the support you’re looking for in our community.

We did want to drop in just to let you know, we have more information on our website about:

Spinal fractures: theros.org.uk/information-a...

Managing pain: theros.org.uk/information-a...

We also have some video sessions that you might find useful, these cover lots of topics including:

youtube.com/watch?v=7WuZ_SY...(Not working as expected?)

youtube.com/watch?v=q6el0Ht...(Not working as expected?)

youtube.com/watch?v=QlYwQh3...(Not working as expected?)

We work with experts in the field to provide up to date, evidence- based information, so we thought this may be useful to add to the support from others on this forum. If you don’t find answers on our website, or to discuss your own situation, please contact our specialist nurses on 0808 800 0035 (UK).

Wishing you all the very best,

ROS Moderator

[Danni54 in reply to ROSModerator]

Hi. Thank you for replying so quickly and I will definitely look at the information. I have quite a few questions but Dr.s don't seem to have the time to speak to patient's. I'm afraid I don't have any faith in our medic's as I have been let down badly particularly with lung cancer but I have had no help or advice for the Osteoporosis although I, now, have a lovely young Physio who seems to want to help me. I might try to speak to your Nurses but the misdiagnosed lung cancer has affected my speech and I'm self conscious about speaking to people on the phone! People on this Forum have responded already and I'm very grateful for that. I just wish that Dr.s wouldn't treat people over 70 as being old, doddery and a bit stupid and I feel that some just don't care

Thank you again. Take care.

Best wishes,

Danni

[Southerngirl2787]

I have edema in the spine due to AS, Ankylosing Spondylitis. Very very painful. I have 10 spinal fractures, fusions from AS, 4 fusion surgeries, 5 surgeries for nerves...my surgeon has done over a dozen procedures to keep this spine up and running, and always sees the edema. Steroids help, but are dangerous to bone health, so I take them only post surgery, when I feel like I'll blow up!

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi, yes I can relate to what you are experiencing.

I have 15 fractures in the spine, this includes all 5 in the Lumbar.

RSL is a symptom of the fractures in my Lumbar along with other symptoms some of which you are having.

The burning 🔥 pain is nerve pain as are the electric tremors, I hope when you see the specialist they are able to offer you help with this.

What they are able to offer will depend on your own personal situation.

They may be able to offer you something along the surgical route but certainly through pain management be able to try you on medication for nerve related pain.

It sometimes helps to know you are not on your own. I have feelings off icy water in my knees, pins and needles on the whole upper front of my right leg and part of my right buttock going around the front of me and down into my groin and feelings of numbness, and weakness in both legs.

It is all through pressure on nerves.

Chronic inflammation has been described to be as being swelling around the fracture which usually settles once the fracture heals but in some cases can continue but to a lesser degree.

Earlier this year I was sent to the specialist spine team and we were shown the door almost immediately on entering.

He had decided before seeing me he could not offer me any help he was in his own words a Spinal Surgeon and for me to go back to my GP for some tablets.

He would not give us even a few minutes to ask any questions.

PLEASE do not let my experience bring you down.

I have as I have said had a total of 15 fractures and 4 of the vertebrae have re fractured one of which has now fractured 3times until it I hope can’t crush any further.

I really am hopeful for you and please let me know how you progress and what help you are offered.

Each and every hospital and consultant are different. I have drawn the short straw when it comes to my local hospital and have been let down so badly that have made it quite clear I would not want to be admitted there.

One other thing you mention that the Buprenorphine has helped also with your pain but not so effective now.

Do you have the patches and if not are you on the slow release tablets??

Is it possible you may need a slightly higher dose to try??

Take care xx

[Danni54 in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Oh my goodness! I can only imagine how you cope and I'm disgusted though not surprised at your spine Consultant! Are you on any of the Osteoporosis medication? I can't take any, apparently because of my huge hernia and Diverticulitis! Reading your message was like reading , exactly, how I am feeling especially your leg's! You are the first person to explain about that and about the chronic inflammation. The pain has been getting so much worse and I have to put my electric blanket on to warm my leg's. Horrible! I thought it's all been nerve damage and have been in tears with 1 Dr. because after 3 year's everything is out of control! No help offered till now through the Physiotherapist! I was given Buprenorphine patches initially because our medic's here are reluctant to prescribe Buprenorphine tablet's so I ended up growling at our Pain Clinic and have been given 0.4 mg Buprenorphine tablet's. I couldn't tolerate the patches and had an allergic reaction to the adhesive! That has scarred a bit of my skin! The Buprenorphine stops the kicking most of the time but not always and the other feelings you describe are still there. The tablet's tire me out although I am beginning to get used to them . I am allowed 3 a day but the Dr. would prefer me to take 2 a day!

Our hospital has ,also, let me down multiple times and I have no faith in the medical profession especially after they left me with lung cancer for 15 months and forgot to tell anybody or give me treatment! Before that , I had a life! Sorry! I do try not to be angry and bitter especially since a few month's ago the Pain Clinic admitted that they made an " error " !

I see a new Dr. on Wednesday and will let you know what he says.

Thank you again for your help, advice and support. It means a lot and I'm here for you as well if you need to scream or offload! Take care please.

Wishing you all the very best xx

People on this and other Forum's here are so brave and I'm sending all of you gentle hugs ! x

[Sunseaandsand]

HIi, thank you for your kind words, it really can help to share with others what we are going through.

What you went through with your diagnosis of cancer is appalling and I really feel for you, I went through serious negligence when having what should have been a straight forward minor procedure, far too many mistakes are made regarding our health, we are fobbed off with lame excuses at our most vulnerable of times.

My experience was very different to your own but the trauma of it never goes away and added to further bad experiences at the local hospital my faith is completely gone.

Then they decide to label you as a very anxious patient😡

When we have been let down through other’s negligence it is natural to have so many emotions and bitter and angry are just two of them.

I don’t know why we apologise about having a moan and a rant, we should not have to feel that way.

At the moment I am not on any of the treatments.

In the past I have been treated with 4 years of Ibandronate infusions, Two years of Forsteo, one injection of Prolia and six months of Raloxofine.

Good luck for Wednesday I so hope you are able to see an understanding and caring Doctor. xx

[Danni54 in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Thank you. Reading your messages is so strange because I empathise and relate to everything you have said! The comment about labelling us as 'a very anxious patient ".....WOW !! When the Pain Clinic admitted earlier this year that they had ignored the tumour, I broke down but also got angry ! I knew , obviously, that that was what happened but to hear 2 of them at separate times admit it ,was a combination of horror and hurt but now I have been labelled as having PTSD !! They want me to get psychiatric help ....for what they have done to me ! Unbelievable! I told them I don't want to sue them but I want to make sure they change their policy when looking at Xray's so that nobody else goes through what I have been and still am going through! The tumour was on an Xray but they were looking at an area below my rib's which, later , turned out to be referred pain so, they saw the tumour but ignored it and put an injection below my rib's. I refused to go back to the Pain Clinic where the " error " occurred! PTSD ! What do they expect 🤔! I wonder how many of us have gone through and are going through this and I wonder how many are women ! Our hospital is far too small for the amount of people who now live here and the infrastructure cannot cope . Soapbox time ! Like you I have zero faith in our medic's and hospital. Lower than zero!I am truly sorry for what you have been and are going through. Thank you so much for replying to me. If you don't mind then I will show your messages to my husband because he sees my pain but it might help him to see that somebody else is going through what I am and you have described so clearly what is happening. My brain gets fuddled !! We are coming up for our Ruby Anniversary....40 year's! How did that happen?! No children either but I have wonderful Nieces and friend's children who call me their 2nd Mum so I try to focus on how lucky I am!

Please take care. I don't want you to go through any more and wish that I could wave a magic wand. You are amazing.... you should be told !! xx

[Sunseaandsand]

Of course by all means share the messages with your husband, it is very difficult for our husbands too to see us in pain and not be able to do anything to ease it.

Also it is very hard for us because no one can feel another person’s pain and so frustrating trying to describe what it feels like.

Thank you 🙏 for your last comment but for what you have been put through you most certainly are the amazing one.

Look forward to hearing how Wednesday turns out. Take care and will chat soon 🥰

[Midori]

Hi Danni,

You need to insist you see specialists about this.

Cheers, Midori

[Danni54 in reply to Midori]

Hi Midori. Thank you for your support. I have been trying for 3 year's to get the head of our Surgery to do something to help me and refer me and I've cried ( not like me!), I've been angry but he always changes the subject even when I told him that I was desperate and couldn't cope with the pain. I see another Dr. on Wednesday and I'm going to insist on seeing the Spine Specialist Team. Previously, I didn't even know that that was an option ! I found out 2 week's ago from the Physio in our Surgery and the Dr. only just referred me to her ....I didn't even know that she existed! ! I could tell you some other stories but.....!You are still going through a bad time and I'm so sorry. I wish I could help everybody who is having so much pain but don't seem to be getting much help or support from the medical profession. I hardly slept last night because of the pain and even the Opioid's don't help when it's this bad.

Wishing you all the best. Take care. xx