Newbie introduction

[Minervachild]

Hi, sorry for the long post. I found myself here in desperation. My problem has been going on for about 2 years now and began with gastric symptoms including severe pan in my stomach. I had a number of investigations which only diagnosed gastritis and didn't account for the pain. The gastro team at the hospital discharged me back to my GP with a view to pain management. I also suffer from depression and anxiety and this problem obviously affected them. My GP though it may be a musculo-skeletal problem with referred pain and sent me to a physio. At the 1st appointment it was a surprise to me to find out that my back was practically immobile, some physio sessions followed which succeeded in getting me to notice my pain sooner. If I walk for more than about 10 minutes or wash dishes I get a pain across my hips which takes my breath away. After christmas I began a physio led exercise class, I've had 3 of 6 sessions. At the last session both of the instructors saw me limping at the end and asked about where the pain travels to with a view to referring me back to the physio if it is the same next week.

If I walk for any distance or am on my feet for an extended period of time the pain in my hips starts and if I don't sit and take painkillers it travels down both of my legs on the sides and also in my stomach area. I have had a few deep tissue massages and the masseuse said my muscles are very tight and that one of them triggers all my stomach symptoms.

Since Friday (my latest exercise session) I have been in constant pain, limping with shooting pains in my left leg and a burning pain in my hips. I've been on constant painkillers, alternating paracetamol with Tramadol. I am after any advice anybody can offer. I am overweight and know I need to exercise but I can barely walk at the moment.

I appreciate 2 years is barely any time compared to some of you but I am really desperate for some relief.

Thank you for taking the time, if you have read this far. Anne

[Becki77]

Have you had an x-ray to rule out osteoarthritis in the hips?

[Minervachild in reply to Becki77]

I haven't had any tests on my back at all. I'm trying to figure out if I should be pushing for xrays/mri tests, that's why I'm soliciting advice. I don't think it's just muscular.

[Becki77 in reply to Minervachild]

If I was you I would push for some tests xxx

[oldman1952]

Hi Minervachild, you have described my symptoms to the T. My pain can start when I wake in the morning and the pain is so bad that it makes me drop to the floor. It starts in my right side and feels like a tennis ball just above the right hip, that is so chronic and acute that it can make me cry. Then as you say it can happen when I stand at the sink washing up or doing something laying on the floor using my hands and stretching out for something that I need for a job out of my tool box.

How old are you may I ask?

Symptoms of severe spasm in the large bowel and the large muscles surrounding it, pulling so tight that its cutting into my insides.

I have had chronic osteoarthritis all over my body especially my spine. The spurs are so long that they interfere with my day to day functioning i.e. One spur goes into my oesophagus and I choke on my food and have scoliosis where my neck has a strange little hump so if I do lay on my back my head will not touch the floor.

I too have seen 7 different specialists from different medical backgrounds and had countless blood tests and CT scans, only to tell me that I have osteoarthritis in every joint in my body. I know that you wanted advice about your condition. All I can suggest is low impact exercise with in particular cardiovascular workouts on a treadmill. When you first start you can only last 10-15 minutes because the pain in the hips and kneed is really bad, but if you continue over the weeks the fat turns to muscle and you start to get into shape. You lose some inches but not a great deal of weight. I do it because my GP gave me a letter to take to the gym and I was assessed by a physical trainer who has been trained in all types of medical conditions. It is similar to the physiotherapist but it moves on from the physio. I have been doing it now for 3 years and never look back. I/you would start to enjoy it because you start to use natural endorphins to help you with the pain relief.

You have to make some small changes to your life, take time out for deep muscle relaxation concentrating on breathing techniques. Even if you hate exercise that little change might be the stepping stone to reducing the oral medication that you take. Start with looking what you eat, make a diary and compare it with healthier foods. You might have tried all of this before but to start it again with someone to support you on the way to a better pain reduced life. RegardsOldman1952

[ladyragsdale35 in reply to oldman1952]

I agree I have the osteoarthritis in much my body in space of two year from injury to surgery it ate away at my joint to my shoulder has no more cartilage.

[Minervachild in reply to oldman1952]

Thanks for this. I had never heard of osteoarthritis before. I am 48 but feel about twice that at the moment. Funnily enough when I was on the treadmill last week it felt fine, as soon as I came off I was limping. I think I need to be more assertive with my GP.

[deejames]

I would ask for some further tests to see what is happening with your bones and joints. Has anyone suggested hydrotherapy , where you exercise in shallow warm water. It can be much easier on joi ts as the water cushions the body ?

Dee

[Minervachild in reply to deejames]

Thanks Dee. I am weighting for a referral to my local sports centre for a water based exercise class. I think I am going to go to some others in the meantime, I am really struggling to walk at the moment, so maybe the pool will help.

[Radiantr]

Hi to everyone, I totally feel your pain but keep going back to your GP and explain your situation until you get answers that can help ease your pain. If you don't get answers change your GP. You really need to see more Specialist before you do any exercise because you can hurt yourself more and get severe body aches. I know by my own experience. Nuyorican45.

[johnsmith]

Get an MRI scan. This shows the relationship between tissue and bone and nerves. MRI scans do not show over contracted muscle problems. You need someone with sensitive hands to find this problem.

See a McTimony Chiropractor and Alexander Technique teacher. They should be able to help get your back more mobile. Careful of Physiotherapy they have a habit of one size fits all. An approach which does not work for many people. There are now physiotherapists available who have trained in the "muscle trains" techniques and they have better results long term.

[ladyragsdale35]

I had An MRI done on my shoulder the only thing was wrong was osteoarthritis until the surgery they found bicep tendon complete tear and rotator cuff tear. from its just arthritis to we messed up

[Minervachild]

Thanks for the advice. Today (Tuesday) I went shopping with my brother, I was in the supermarket for about 15 minutes before I had to take some painkillers. How do you all keep sane with this level of chronic pain? I take my hat off to you all. I have decided that I am going to try to see my GP on Thursday and insist on more investigations. You have all given me some food for thought.

[oldman1952]

Hi Minervachild, the posts today have some good reply's from some very seasoned posters. Most of their answers are very good some are a little bias toward a particular theme or treatment, that is great for a majority of people who suffer from chronic pain. Some posters have aversions to the medical services in their countries and don't always see eye to eye with the professionals. I do on the other hand trust my specialists and paramedical services such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and pain control clinicians. They like myself have been to university to be trained in their field of expertise. Mine was mental health so I can most of the time empathise with people and their problems. When I mentioned exercise, it has always been the first treatment of choice for pain and joint problems. Take a frozen shoulder for instance, counselling with any of the 100's of theories or technique's will not help, You are normally seen by a physiotherapist even before a getting a specialist appointment. Also if you self refer yourself to a physiotherapist they have to take a full and detailed history before they even look at you. When I mentioned exercise I meant that it was supervised and specific to your problems that you are having. I said in one of my other posts if you had a slipped disc the treatment was to lay in bed for 2-3 months. Not good, possible DVT within the first week of treatment. Soto keep the joint or muscle from seizing up is gentle exercise. Sorry if I have been repeating myself but I just thought that I would clarify where I am coming from and going to for each post I write. Thanks for listening, good luck in the near future and keep moving even if you have to do exercise from a chair. Oldman1952.

[oldman1952 in reply to oldman1952]

When I spoke about the slipped disc, I was talking about the treatment that used to be prescribed in the 1970's. Thank heavens it has changed now but you still need to rest in between medication and physio. Oldman1952.

[Minervachild]

Update.

I spent 3 days in hospital last week ruling out cauda equina syndrome. My MRI shows no nerve compression but quite a bit of arthritis. I spoke to my GP this morning who says that I am going to have to adjust to life with some pain and that maybe I'll benefit from seeing the pain management team. Both the hospital physios and OT talked about adapting to my symptoms - I cannot have a bath until the OTs have done a home assessment.

I am now taking 1800mg of Gabapentin with no other prescribed pain relief. I feel as bad as I did last week but with not much more information. Nobody has discussed the type of arthritis though I am assuming osteo. It looks like I am not getting better from this, how do you get used to that?