Lower back pain

[Elmo333]

Hi. My rheumatologist says that RA doesn't affect lower back but I can't believe that is true. I had to stop mtx a few weeks ago (restarting it today) and yesterday my back has really flared up so I can hardly walk. Has anyone else's consultant said different? I don't know what to do because I'm stuck at home because definitely can't walk on the icy ground! Thanks

[BlightyFiveStar]

Hi I also have low back or more like hip pain which makes low back very stiff. I have RA. Hospital tested me for Ankylosing Spondylitis as a result and gene test was negative but stiffness is very bad at the moment. I don’t know whether due to RA. Been referred for hydrotherapy. Sorry I don’t have the answer- it’s hard to keep persisting when the staff don’t have an answer either

[Hermes123 in reply to BlightyFiveStar]

Hermes123. Hello BlightyFiveStar, I have been suffering for over fifty years with all the various forms of Arthritis, for a number of years I have suffered with Ankylosing spondylitis in the neck and shoulders, after months of hip problems and a x-ray. Been told it is not my hip it is Ankylosing spondylitis at the base of the spine, pain is unbearable as it effects all my other joints and have been told nothing more they can do to relieve my pain. Hermes.

[Amb1xkr in reply to Hermes123]

I have been diagnosed with AS about a year ago as I developed a painful hip and groin pain and struggled to walk. it was wrongly diagnosed at that point as polymialgia rheumatica. I am now on Methotrexate 20mg per week been taking for 5 months but unfortunately not much improvement in the hip. I was told I might need a hip replacement?

[helixhelix]

My consultant has said the same..... and an x-ray showed up that I have osteoarthritis damage with three degenerated vertebrae in lower spine. The pain does come & go but not necessarily in parallel with RA flares.

[janmary]

I have had back problems with disc protrusions needing surgery etc since before RA developed, but have noticed I get nasty back pain in association with flares - I always assume its because Im walking/ lying awkwardly because of inflamed joints and not doing enough back exercises to keep the muscle tone in good shape as I should. But who knows - its well known you can get RA in neck joints so why not vertebral joints lower down ?

[Mmrr]

I too get lower back pain, but had it before the inflammitory arthritis, it does get worse when I am feeling unwell.

[cpetry]

I have some problems on my spine (apart from the RA) that affects my neck and my lower back. According to my doctors, it has nothing to do with the RA. However, when I had to stop my treatment for three weeks I was in hell, and whenever I´m feeling down with arthritic pains the neck and lower back problem get a lot worse... but then again, whenever you feel unwell, everything gets worse.

[Rahelp]

Hi no my rhemy said the same but if you speak to chiropractor or physiotherapist they say as soon as you mention ra and back pain oh that will be your ra. Bir it matters little as there is not much anyone can do. My entire spine has been damaged along with every other joint apart from my elbows. Rheumy says ra caused so much damage and that the damage has now turned to oa. Ask to be referred to the pain clinic as you can get injection in your spine which may ease the pain. Mine are. Supposed to be every 6 months but its over 12 months since i have had one. My other thing is my chiropractor. I go. Usually fortnightly and have treatment from him and that helpa to avoid flare ups. As he releases the muscles etc when they are getting tight and thus helps to avoid spasms which lead to inability to walk etc. I cant walk very far at all due to arthritis in all joints so dont push yourself too hard. Good luck hope you find a way to help yourself and keep as mo ile as possible.

[Stephenlangtonriley in reply to Rahelp]

Same problem with me, I have a degenerative condition called Enthesitis which has many symptoms, one of which is fibromyalgia which causes pain everywhere and is likely to result in Ankylosing Spondylitis. I also have a prolapsed disk at the S7 in my spine and that causes major pain for which I also receive a 6 montly Caudal Epidural from the pain clinic, it works wonders, without it I suffer severe sciatica from my posterior right down to and including my achilles tendons, the original poster might do well to have a xray of that region.

[Hidden]

I have very bad lower back pain and have been told it is degenerative disk disease. I can't stand or walk much at all for it. I have seen physiotherapists and been given exercises for it but it hasn't helped. The rheumy doesn't take much notice when I mention it. I have been told I could have injections into my spine but that they don't always work and they run a risk of paralysis so I am reluctant to have them done. I have bad pain in many other areas, but think that this lower back pain is the worst.

[Kai--]

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Supplemental back/ spine references if interested in poking round 🕵️‍♀️🔎 more, Elmo333:

• Chiropractic, Massage, Physical Therapy to Help Manage Pain . . . : healthunlocked.com/cure-art...

• Gentle 'Exercises for Sciatica' [Back/ Spine] from NHS (scroll down toward bottom of page) : healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

• "Back/ spine" NRAS search results: healthunlocked.com/search/b...

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😌 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

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[Finnbert]

I had a really bad flare up 4 weeks before a long trip to Australia, literally couldn't move and ended up being transported in ambulance to A&E using gas and air! Immediately given injections of muscle relaxant and morphine. X ray showed degenerative discs in spine. Saw GP and was standing in waiting room whereupon he said 'you can't sit down can you' he thought I had sacroillitis and gave me morphine patches and showed my husband how to lift both of my legs to get into bed. I subsequently went to Australia for 7 weeks wearing morphine patches and using walking sticks and was frequently asked by grinning people 'where are you going skiing'. My osteopath also said I had sacroillitis. Pains in groin are indicative of sacroillitis as well as other things. I find rheumatology nurses are very helpful. I do realise that I have a wonderful GP.

Take care.

[pm52]

I too have lower back pain and neck pain and also pain in the thoracic region bit I have Psa not RA and I have now been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, but I think many of the symptoms of RA and PSa are very alike. On top of Mtx I have been given a biologic too which helped tremendously with my back pain and fatigue, but have had to stop for 8 months due to infections.

[sharon6768]

Hi Elmo. I don't know about the RA and lower back pain connection, but I have RA, OA, and spinal and cervical stenosis and when I was on mtx, my back and neck pain improved considerably and when I went off it, pain came back. It might be that being off the mtx is bringing your low back pain back to the fore front. Just a thought since mtx is an anti-inflammatory.

[BlightyFiveStar]

Not sure if you are asking me or Elmo? For me, no mri done

[Hobbledehoy]

One past consultant said RA doesn't affect the spine - but a mature senior physio. said he worked in rheumatology & believes that it does, also neck. I have osteoarthritis many years before RA diagnosed. Had spinal surgery 8yrs ago, not necessarily a perfect solution because any surgery is invasive. Until they stopped working, previous RA med did seem to help. Am now to have another back scan to clarify picture.

[Hidden]

Join the club, mine says it only affects hands and feet! Hip that mirrors on other side nothing to do with it nor is breathlessness? Funny because spec nurse at same hospital says any joints can be affected, so do nras, as well as it being systemic. Lack of consistency drives me nuts; i sympathise 😊