Back

[deejojo08]

Anybody got any ideas for osteoarthritis in spine mine has been really painful for the past 3 week

[Hidden]

Hi, I can sympathise as mine has been just the same. Lower back pain gets worse as the day goes on. I’m using my heat pad and taking tramadol alongside paracetamol and plenty rest as this seems to help with the pain. I will be requesting an x-ray when we get back to some normality as I’m not sure what’s going on with mine, probably RA. Take it easy 🌈🌈🤗x

[deejojo08 in reply to Hidden]

Thanxs hun x

[Mmrr]

Hi, yes I've got OA in my lower back and neck, it can be really difficult at times.

Any prolonged sitting or standing make things worse, so short spells of moving, changing position does help.

I don't even attempt things I know spark a painful spell off, so no ironing (gave it up 30 + years ago), no long periods of standing cooking or similar, I manage my activities.

Heat is good too, either through a heat pad, or in the shower.

Voltarol (diclofenac acid) tabs are my friend, I've used them for 30 years with good success, but many GPs won't prescribe them. I'm not sure if you use other NSAIDs ?

Sometimes I find the pain is in the surrounding muscles, so a very gentle 'massage' either by myself or partner can help, it seems to loosen things off.

I also use a neck pillow bought from IKEA, but others are available. It has been excellent.

Lots of little things, I guess, but they all add up.

[oldtimer]

It always seems against common sense, but moving is just so important with OA. Small frequent movement is the most effective treatment - any length of time in one position makes the pain worse. Heat, self massage, and making sure that I take enough pain relief to be able to move seems to be most effective. I have a kitchen timer (very low tec!) so that I don't sit for more than an hour anywhere, reading, at the computer, etc.

[deejojo08 in reply to oldtimer]

Thank you x

[Hidden]

I had an MRI scan of my lower spine down just before the lockdown and it showed that I have lots of problems going on there. Misalignment of the spine, several slipped discs and degenerative disc disease. I was marked as needing to see a spinal specialist urgently.

I got an appointment for 18th May but in early April I had a letter to say it had been postponed and I would hear from them later on as to a new appointment. I hadn't heard anything so I rang up about it on Monday and was quickly sorted out and will be having a telephone consultation next Monday. It shows that you really need to keep on phoning up when you don't hear anything as I wonder just how long I would have waited if I hadn't done that.

My pain is extreme and I can only walk a short way. I go to the top of the garden (not very far) and then I have to rest for a long time before I can walk back again. I can only stand for about one minute and most of the time I walk about bent over or I stand leaning up against something or bent over something. I have tried all kinds of things but nothing does any good. I have tried Tramadol and paracetamol, gel rubs, heat pads, massage and I am on Mtx, Hydroxy, Matrifen pain patches and Leflunomide. Oramorph takes the edge of the pain but that is all.

I have no idea what the consultant will say and of course he can't examine me or see how I walk etc. I wonder if it will mean spinal surgery. I can only wait and see.

I hope you get some relief soon deejojo as the pain just gets so bad and I know how you feel.