Hi , I have been told I have RA in my spine , and there's nothing they can do for it , other than drugs that don't seem to help !!

[nanniejan]

[Trulyfedup]

I'm so sorry to hear this..I don't have any words of wisdom for you I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you. Maryx

[oldtimer]

It often takes time to find the right treatment for each individual person. Unfortunately, RA treatment is still in the "trial and error" stage. So don't give up yet - keep nagging your rheumy team if you are not getting any improvement.

[Hidden]

Hi Nanniejan,

You have my sympathy. I have just had an appointment with the Pain Clinic consultant to look at what can be done about the spinal pain I get.

He told me that it can be very difficult to isolate the cause of back pain because there doesn't always seem to be a link between the amount of bone damage to the amount of pain experienced.

Have you had any treatment at all for it yet? If it is seriously impacting on your life then there are other avenues which can be explored. In my case, he felt that one of the main problems has been that the soft tissue and ligaments have been damaged and that I need some intensive physiotherapy to get it back. If, after that, I am still in considerable pain, then he can inject between the joints with guided x-ray to relieve the pain caused by wear and tear on the bones. (I have 3 discs completely worn away).

On the other hand I am also experiencing a lot of sciatic pain which apparently is treated in a different way with drugs that target the nerves. I'm due an epidural in my spine on Monday to also see if it can bring some relief. (watch this space) The pain clinic consultant says it may help with the nerve pain down my legs but not with the back pain so the whole thing seems to be a complicated process.

A few years ago I had an operation on my spine to open up the spinal column a bit. It did bring some release but has sadly returned. I had quite a severe infection post op which involved them having to operate again so I have been told that they can't operate any more because of the amount of scar tissue.

Have you spoken to you GP about physio and referral to the pain clinic? It may be worth trying to push that. Alternatively ask to see your Rheumatologist and get a referral to the rheumatology physio team (assuming they have one).

I know it's absolutely miserable to be faced with the prospect of continuous pain but keep pushing and communicating as much as possible. xxxxx

Judy

[allanah]

I agree with Judy and am going through it at the moment, hydrotherapy and gabapentin drugs are helping me at the moment xx hope you get some relief soon xx

[fastball]

I have pain all down my spine, was told that i have OA near the top and have a calcified disc near the base i think its LS5 . Which i was having epidrual steroid injections direct . These have stopped helping me so just been pain clinic and was given gabapentin 100mg . Was told they can be increased if not helping. They are helping so hope they will be increased. So i know just how you feel and that you get some relieve soon XXX

Chris

[allanah in reply to fastball]

Ye doc said I can go up to three tabs , so I know it's possible to increase do chat with the doc xc

[fastball in reply to allanah]

seeing pain clinic on 18th so he should increase then thanks. Hope you are a bit better today. sending hugs .XXX

Chris

[allanah in reply to fastball]

Yes actually , I think the restart of gabapentin is helping ! Fingers crossed, and for you too!

[beauty96]

Hi and with the others send my deepest sympathy and sending hugs and trust you will be able to face life with some happiness. Can I suggest tai chi. You may not want to exercise but any gentle, and I repeat gentle exercise can help to keep the muscles working and so effect some respite to the pains you are having. It is the only way I can keep the pains down. Hence my suggestion. Weigh it up and talk to your doctors.

[Riedenise]

Sending gentle hugs. Im having a lot of pain in my lower back, im going to a physio, who says its a lower disc thats the problem, Ive had an mri but that didn't pick anything up. My GP keeps saying its muscular but physio saying no its not. I did ask my Rheumy in july was it RA & was told NO you don't get RA in your back so very interested to hear your Rheumy saying Yes you do. So im seeing Physio again on tuedsay so will speak to her again ref pain etc.

[helixhelix]

I do feel for you, as I hate feeling completely crunched up by the pain in my back. Mine is from degenerated discs so the RA drugs don't touch it at all either, and it's only exercise and painkillers that can help. Do you have Ankylosing Spondylitis rather than RA, as spine problems seem more common with that? I think Creaky's suggestions sound v sensible. Anyway, hope you get some relief. Polly

[Terrpist]

Have you tried Flector patches to put ditesctky on pain site also lidocaine patch I use both for my back