Arthritis is getting worse.

[manwithnoname]

in the last few weeks I have been getting a lot of back pain. Yesterday it got the better of me so I dialed 999 and went to Southport hospital and after a number of blood test and a night with no sleep. I was told this morning that my hart was OK, my lungs were OK, there was NO sign of cancer and there was no sign of PE all of witch is very good news. But my RA has now got into my spine (not good news) and there is nothing the hospital can do for me. So it's a lot more pain killers for me and that's that.

[sylvi]

I feel for you, didn't they say see your rheumy? I too am having a bit of a hard time,i am going on anti-tnfs shortly. Other than sending you hugs,there is not a lot i can say except i am sorry to hear your not getting any better.xx

[manwithnoname]

Hi sylvi and thanks for your kind words the hospital is going to let my rheumy know. but as you know yourself there's not much they can do as I'm on the highest level of med's all ready. xx

[Munchkinella]

So sorry to hear this my lovely. Sending gentle hugs. Love Janet xxx

[manwithnoname]

thanks Janet It's so nise to know that there are pepole that care.

[aligator]

I, too feel for you& I send you love & gentle hugs in the hope you feel less pain soon.

Love Alison x

[jaqi1]

hiya, i had a mri scan on my spine and it showed that the very top of my spine is damaged, i get very bad pains in my neck on 1 side, and they said to me they can't do anything about it. just got to do exercises to release the pressure. so i know how you feel x

[sciqueen]

Hi

Sending cyber hugs ((((()))))

Hope you get pain relief soon

Joanne x

[shirlthegirl]

Sending lot of hugs and XXX, really hope that the painkillers give you some relief Shirley XXX

[miss]

Hi you sorry your having a hard time. Keep popping the pills !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxxx

[helixhelix]

Sounds like you're really having a rough time, so sorry. You say that there's nothing more the hospital can do, but have they referred you to a pain clinic? Or have you asked about swapping meds around, as sometimes a change can help as your body does get used to things. And if you aren't already going to them, maybe also ask to see a physio and OT to get more advice on how you can keep moving, and what things might help. I'm sure the last thing you feel like doing is hassling, but I think it's rotten for them to say there's nothing else...have they really tried you on all the different drugs for RA? Polly

[nellysgran]

Hi sorry you are having a bad time, i also have a lot of pain in my back and when i told my consultant she told me that you can not get RA in your spine, she said it was Osteoarthritis !!! so now i am confused,,

Apart from my RA i am taking pain killers for my back aswell.

Hope you are feeling better soon, Wendy x

[Hidden in reply to nellysgran]

My rheumy said this too re RA doesn't usually go for the back. It could be secondary OA brought on by RA though. Its horrible that they say nothing more they can do but they aren't rheumatologists and haven't the specialist training so I would wait to see what your consultant has to say when the x-rays will help. Pain clinic might be a good idea if you have one in your area? Tilda

[Hidden]

you need rheumy to review your pain meds and your treatment meds.. how about steroids? they are ablr to provide relief but they carry their own sets of problems in potential side effect x

[minxy1960]

Poor you ....soft hugs xxxx

Angie x x

[joan_w]

When you say nothing can be done, I expect it depends on what they found, but I have had spinal surgery for my back pain. The MRI showed deterioration of the facet joints and some vertebrae due to osteoarthritis more than RA (my consultant also said it is rare for RA to attack the spine). I had the facet joints removed and rods put in to replace them.

They also found a very badly slipped disc, the disc is almost out of the verebrae, which they will look at soon. They can also do something about that.

So if things get really bad, I would ask for an MRI scan as this was what showed up my problems and they could do something about it.

Jo

[Neonkitty]

Dear MWNN ...so Very sorry to hear of your ordeal. Can you go see your Rheumy to review your meds. Can your GP fax them an urgent request for consultation, which mine has done for me before to speed it up. I am thinking the same as Summer. Could you have injectable general steroid? Also like Helix ... Have they tried you on all the meds they can?

Please don't think you have to stay suffering in pain like this. I know it's hard when you feel so bad to go out even and make it to hospital to Rheumatology, but try to see them asap and tell them you are feeling So bad. Tilda is very right, the casualty team, etc are not Rheumatologists so with the greatest of respect I would wait to hear what your Rheumy proposes.

Btw if you have had the constant rain we have had in my area this week, have you become worse due to that also? (I say this as I have had an particularly naff week of seizing and pain. That's what rain does to me!)

Gentle hug from me too.

Julie x

[manwithnoname]

I would like to THANK all of you for your kind and helpful words it has helped me to keep going. I am so glad to have found this site and if any of you are going to St Helens tonight I will be there.and once again a BIG THANK YOU to all of you.