back pain

[Beth72]

I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and it seems too have moved to my back because it never stops hurting does anyone else have the same problem

[Neonkittie17]

When I sat down more, due to painful osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, it hurt my back as I was not actually moving enough. Hard to find a balance between movement and rest at times. I found hydrotherapy/aqua exercises helped my back more than anything. Can your rheumy refer your to the physio and see if they can recommend a course of hydro if they do it from a local pool or book you in with a hospital physio for a course of exercises or devise you a programme to do at home. It was nothing painful or strenuous for me .. a lot of exercises were done laying on top of the bed and seated but gave great results. x

[RAexperiences]

I don’t have any suggestions. I get chronic frozen shoulders and I have done every therapy on earth and I find the only treatment that works is ultrasound guided steroid injections (not a stab in the dark…that has never worked…has to be ultrasound guided). I find the shots provide excellent relief for 6 months to a year. Best wishes! Oh IMS helped a bit too…

[RAexperiences]

Sorry I accidentally answered u on shoulders and it was meant for Craig head. However, speaking of backs I was struggling with really significant chronic back pain for many years (had two surgeries for severe herniated lumbar discs. Tho I know the pain was from herniations, the post surgical pain that dragged on and on left me wondering if it was ra or psoriatic arthritis related. My rheumi uses the conditions interchangeably. Interestingly, since I started Adalimumab my back pain has dramatically reduced even to no pain much of the time so it leads me to wonder if the chronic pain was inflammatory??? What is yur experience??

[AgedCrone]

Have you had a Dexa bone density scan…that can sometimes throw up a reason for back pain?

[VeronicaF]

Sorry your going through this Beth72. hope you have some rest bite from the pain real soon, have you tried a epson salts bath, also a nice hot water bottle wrapped up and put that behind your back when your sitting.

[Jillyanne]

Yes I do get a lot of back pain , spoke to my GP and specialist and have a MRI scan next week , might be worth asking ?

[Chris_O]

Hi.I’ve recently started with lower back pain ( similar to sciatica but higher up ) and find that sitting for lengthy periods can set it off. My problem which I think is relevant is that I had to stop taking my anti inflammatory medications, and now take codeine phosphate/ paracetamol to cope with the pain. The one thing that really helps is physical activity, but knowing when to stop in case I over do it.

My main areas of activity are walking, gardening and diy.

It’s sometimes a difficult balancing act to get it right, and saying be active when you are suffering with pain is not intuitive.

I hope you sort out your pain which ever way works best for you.

Chris_0

[oldtimer2]

I find that it's so important to keep my back moving. I set a times when I'm doing things like writing on the computer to prevent me making my back pain worse with inactivity.

[eastbournelady]

Yes I have suffered with back pain in lumbar area for last 10 years just started shortly after RA did. It is RA & Osteo and degeneration of spine -after MRI confirmed this. I get worst pain when standing and walking and it actually affects my mobility dramatically. Simponi bilogic helps back and steroid injections too. Hydrotherapy was great but Dr will not approve as my BP is too low from heart prob. In winter hot water bottles and also using Tens machine. Getting involved in art & craft work can take my mind off it. Stretching exercises gently help too. However rheumy doesnt want to get involved as says its mainly degeneration -odd how steroid works the best tho!!! I wish you well but its a case of keeping on & trying again all the time.

[Vixen2]

Hi Beth. I know how you feel. I’ve had RA sine i was 21. (For 30 yrs). I’m having the most awful flare up in my back & i’ve been told i have bursitis in my left shoulder. (Narrowing muscle). I’ve found an icepack slightly eases the pain. Or a heatpad. (But of course. A load of strong painkillers are the main ‘helpers’) A warm shower helps too. If you can get in the bath. Wow. That can revive too. Good luck. We all know how you feel. X