Back pain

[NellyTF]

Hi Folks.

I haven’t been on this site for a while because my condition has remained fairly stable, but recently I’ve been getting a constant pain in my lower back and hips.

Has anyone else experienced this as their condition worsens?

I have taken Paracetamol but it doesn’t really help, is there any other medication that would help?

Kind regards

NellyTF.

[Redjune1]

Hi Nelly, my husband has had lower back and hip pain so severe that I had to call the out of hours gp recently. He was given Co-Codamol which helped a bit. He saw one of the gps at our own surgery a few days later but he insisted that it was nothing to do with MSA and sent him for an X-ray which showed he had some arthritis in his hips. However, when he saw his consultant, she said that it would have been caused by the MSA. He’s been ok for a few weeks now, but he keeps having days when the pain in his back and neck is quite bad.

[Kaye31]

Hi. It’s awful isn’t it. My partner has terrible hip, back and knee pain. Loads of painkillers. His blood pressure makes it worse xx

[Helenhooter]

Hi Nelly

I still haven't had a confirmed diagnosis of MSA but I have nearly every possible symptom. I have had problems for 3 and a half years. Recently I have had back pain mainly in the middle of my back. It feels extremely stiff but I do find a visit to the osteopath helps. I have pain killers including co-codamol but they don't really work and the co-codamol always bungs me up. Try some stretches too. It feels like cramp and tension but the osteopath is definitely a relief. Take care and good luck

Helen

🤗

[Hidden]

Hello yes my dad has this. I guess it's really about finding the right combination for you through trial and error.

Ibuprofen gel and menthol cream didn't help much, and the doctor judged that cocodamol would make dad too drowsy to function. We then tried local anaesthetic patches but they irritated him. So he's now on a combination of daily paracetamol and a week-long low dose morphine-type stick on patch, and also low dose liquid morphine top-ups if required. We also have some essential oil massage stuff in case it helps. Microwavable heat packs we have also, but I'm not sure if he likes them.

Hopefully that gives you some ideas of things you can ask to try out.

Strangely, constipation can make that kind of pain worse so it's worth keeping on top of it. Also finding comfortable leg positioning with cushions etc, to take pressure off the hips.

Kx