I have been told I have arthritis of my lower back and to take pain killers but the pain is getting worse I can not stand for long

[ffimeg]

my back pain gets so bad that my back gives way and I will fall over if I do not hold on to something and then sit down, does this normally occur I am new to arthritis symptoms

[helixhelix]

Do you know whether it's osteoarthritis of your lower back or Ankylosing spondylitis? I'm guessing that it's osteoarthritis, since you don't mention being put on medicines or other treatment. osteoarthritis can be horribly painful, I have it in my lower back too, and there's no real medical treatment for it as it's basically a result of wear and tear. The thing that has really helped me is exercise. I know this may sound daft when you're in so much pain you can't stand for long, but getting the muscles in your back strong really does make a huge difference. It's a slow process, but it worked for me. I was getting to the point where daily life was difficult and now it's fine. Now if I don't exercise daily (very gentle things like walking or swimming) I start to feel it immediately. Have a look at the arthritis care website as they have lots of good advice

arthritiscare.org.uk/Living...

[bluetit33]

hi ffimeg, I too have severe back pain, and it hurts to stand, but mine is 3 slipped discs, although I do have rheumatoid disease. I still try to exercise, by dancing (sort of) to my wii. and doing a slow walk for 15 mins twice a day on my treadmill. I have however found that ibuprofen seems to help with the back, although not my other joints. Hope you can find out what suits you best, but do try not to sit still for too long, as this certainly makes mine worse. bluetit33

[sandraw21]

I am not employed by them but have a look at ActiPatch. It works wonders with pain. Don't know where youlive, but they sell them in Boots in the UK

[earthwitch]

If its spondyloarthritis (ankylosing spondylitis or one of the other forms), then NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen are the first line antiinflammatory treatment for it, but you do need to take them regularly at the full prescribed dose (with stomach protection tablets if you need them) for them to have good effect. If the "pain killers" you are talking about are NSAIDs, then make sure you are taking them as prescribed - they don't work particularly well if you try to limit them or just take them occasionally. Don't think of them as mild painkillers - think of them as very effective antiinflammatory meds which work almost as well for spondyloarthritis as DMARDs work for RA.