When I saw my Rheumy consultant on Thursday I told him about the pains in my neck, spine and lower back, he said he thinks it is all to do with my Fibro. I am not convinced, as this feels as if it is in the bones and joints, it also travels into buttocks and more painful at rest. Any other ideas would be greatly received.
Jan
Don't know whether I'm being helpful here or not but I have cervical spondylosis & osteoarthritis & have pain in my neck, spine, lower back in a line with my hips & like you, but particularly on waking or when I've walked too much, have considerable pain. I also have almost continual headaches (from base of my neck up the back of my head to the front of my forehead, like a 'T') which you don't mention but guess you also get? All this has been aggravated since last Sept. when white van man shunted our car from the back & we (husband & I) suffered whiplash just to add insult to injury, literally! This was treated with an 8 week course of physio & a short course of amitriptyline (used in my case as a muscle relaxant) & did get some relief but my pain has returned with a vengeance despite continuing the exercises my physio gave me to do. I'm taking co-codamol to help but now concerned how many I'm needing just to take the edge off & intend bringing it up with my Rheumy at my appointment in July to see what she suggests. She is aware of my CS & OA as she had me bending down & touching my toes, which I can nearly do without too much pain (I don't get that but hey ho!) but on leaning back I have hardly any movement.
What I'm wondering is as you have Fibro is it masking another underlying problem? Just a thought.
Thanks nomoreheels, I do get headaches as you do, I had a course of acupuncture last year that helped a lot, they tried with exercises, but I was unable to do much because of the Fibro pains. I cannot tolerate strong pain meds or amitriptyline. Who diagnosed your Cervical Spondylosis? I take Pregabalin for my Fibro, which has been increased by 50mg, only started today so not sure if this will help. I have OA in my hands and feet and possible RA in hands too. Had to stop MTX due to side effects, now on Sulphasalazine, started Thursday, but have similar side effects as MTX eg diarrhoea, nausea, so not sure I will tolerate this either.
Just keep taking the tablets for now and see what happens I suppose.
Jan
Thought you may have headaches. I also had acupuncture as part of my physio but it wasn't too effective for me. My consultant in Spain diagnosed CS at my first appointment when ordered all the tests & xrays (don't think there was a part of me left to zap it was so thorough!). I had 3 monthly appointments & he kept an eye on it alongside the RD. OA has only appeared since returning to the UK & isn't really recognised at my Rheumy appointments.
I tolerate MTX well except for a couple of iffy days post injection but the good outweighs the bad. It doesn't sound as though you're doing too well of Sulphasalazine either. Do they have another plan in place for you? Just a thought, I don't see my named Rheumy each appointment only every other one, is this the same for you? If so, it could be worth bringing up your problems for another opinion?
One thing I couldn't decide to mention or not as I was minded not to concern you. On reflection, I thought it best to. Don't know how long you've been on pregabalin but as you say it's just been increased I guess not very long. May be worth just searching online for the side effects. They can, in some people, be quite severe. It alerted me when you said you don't tolerate strong pain meds as my husband is the same & was prescribed Lyrica (pregabalin) for a neurological problem & was ok to start with but as the dose was increased had severe reactions & had to taper off them. As I say I don't want to worry you but just check the web & ask your family to be vigilant of any changes in your demeanour.
I do hope you don't have any problems but would say in my husbands instance it was a very dark time & it's now on his medical records he must never be prescribed it again.
I have been on lyrica for about 10 years or more at 150mg. They tried to up it to 300mg, but I couldn't tolerate it, it just knocked me out I was like a zombie.
I have only just upped it by 50mg on Sunday, I take it in the morning and the 150mg in the evening. I had to go to sleep yesterday afternoon as felt completely wiped out. I woke this morning feeling very disorientated and dizzy, but this has gone now.
I will keep an eye on it and will stop taking it if it causes me any major problems. Thanks for your comments on this.
Jan
That's fine then. I was concerned if you'd just started on them which is why wasn't sure whether to say anything & didn't want to freak you out. Hope you're having a better day today.
I do see the same consultant every time so far, he is still not convinced I have RA in my hands other than the fact inflammation showed up in the ultra sound scan. I am now suffering diarrhoea with the Sulpasalazine so not sure where they can go now, he discounted leflunomide because I have high blood pressure.
I will be seeing him in 4 months time unless things get worse with the Sulpasalazine.
Jan
I too have cervical spondylosis, OA and fibro... I was told by rheumatoid nurse that you cannot get RA in your back
Thanks Lab-lover, for your reply. Who diagnosed your cervical spondylosis?
Jan
Neck Pain
chronic neck, shoulder and upper back pain
Neck pain and headaches
Back pain
Neck fusion now
