Help for arthritis in spine & facet joint problems?

[Juneswoon]

I’ve been suffering with chronic pain in lower back and side for 18 months.

Tried oesteopath for 18 months, acupuncture gentle yoga for bad backs.

Occasionally had a good spell, but not for longer than around 3 weeks.

Struggling at work and to do anything remotely normal like housework etc.

Has anyone got any suggestions if you’ve had or have similar problems ?

Thsnks

[Bananas5]

Have you had a referral to pain clinic or pain management course?

x

[Juneswoon in reply to Bananas5]

Yes I’m going tomorrow I have been refused seeing a consultant instead referred to the pain clinic. It will be interesting but I’ve tried most things that I believe they suggest .

[Bananas5 in reply to Juneswoon]

Good. \go with an open mind and listen to what they say. It is about you managing your pain with their help.

x

[Krawlins]

Hi Juneswoon

I have similar issues you mention, from an MRI it shows I have a recurring slipped disc L5S1 and facet joint arthritis and severe narrowing. Pain management seems to be the place to go since they can recommend all the options from physio to tablets and creams and on to steroid injections, denervation and root nerve blocks, I've had them all, the recent denervation and facet joint injections have helped a bit. They can even do spinal stimulators, all helps to avoid surgery but I had my latest treatment in January and was due a 6 week tel call appt and it still hasn't happened 6 months later! Like you I find what I used to do with no issues 6 years ago is all now very painful and difficult, housework, shopping, laundry basically bending, twisting and carrying all have consequences, its miserable when you realise maybe this is it for the rest of my life. Yesterday I went for physio as the back issue affects my hips, knees, and ankle and foot on the left side. I've once again got physio exercises, some for back and some for hip. Think this time I really must do these religiously as once back at work I tend to drop off and wonder if this is why pain doesn't go? I've tried classes but as only onced a week they do nothing. Physio referred me yesterday to the gym for their back clinic and my first session is today, they are twice weekly for 3 weeks and Fortunately fit around my work. I do take naproxen and amitriptyline and have a month's supply of gabapentin but reluctant to start that one again as lot of the drugs affect my level of alertness.

I hope you get your referral to pain management, likely they'll do that before orthopaedic referral. I'm also under orthopaedic dept at same hospital and they were suggesting fusion op but this needs more discussion and that's next WK to discuss findings on latest MRI. I tried several sessions with chiropractor but each time I'd be back the same so after 6 sessions he said I needed to find out whast was causing it as most people would see improvement after 6 sessions. I hope this might help you, best wishes on your journey to assistance and pain relief K x

[Bananas5 in reply to Krawlins]

Never look back to past and what you used to be able to do. You can, and will, adapt what you have.

x

[Juneswoon in reply to Krawlins]

Thankyou for your reply, it will be interesting what they say. Good luck

[wpress]

Hi

Sorry to hear of your pain. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine last summer. At one time, I could hardly walk nor put my shoes on. I was considering retirement. I had traditional acupuncture - 12 sessions in total. Each time I was treated it felt better so I kept on until I was pain free. After a while I went on a gluten/wheat free diet and took out knightshade vegetables which I was having a lot of, as read on the internet that these can cause arthritis. I think anything within reason is worth a try. But note there are good and bad practitioners at everything. I had used my practitioner previously for other conditions so had every faith in her. I am still pain free and unaware of any problems.

Hope you find something that helps.

Wendy

[morphalot]

My local hospital is the best in Europe. It is an orthopaedic hospital. I had a spine decompression, 2 hip replacementsl and a spine fusion. They were all done by experts but it still doesn't take the pain away. They have a pain clinic and used to have a pain management facility. The two things are very different. Why don't you ask to be referred to there? Then if you need pain management they should refer you. With pain management you do a load of exercises, both physio and psychological by attending a 3 week residential course. Some time after that you will be offered an implant in your spine next to the nerves that are giving you the pain

[Juneswoon in reply to morphalot]

I’ve been to pain management clinic today they have offered me facet joint injections

Thanks for your reply

[morphalot]

Sometimes the implant doesn't work as well as for others - that's why

[morphalot]

That's why they expect you to do the course, as a back up. Facet joints are ok but didn't work for me. However, they do a lot better for others. Bear in mind the treatment I have suggested and keep an open mind about the pain management. Good luck x

[Juneswoon in reply to morphalot]

They havnt mentioned the course to me just the injections x

[Juneswoon in reply to morphalot]

I’ve had oesteopath, 18 months, yoga for bad backs, acupuncture been trying all of these maybe why they’ve suggested trying injections

[morphalot]

That's because you're going to a pain clinic, which is

[morphalot in reply to morphalot]

Not the same as pain management. I hope the facet joint injections remove your pain. Sorry about the way this keyboard is splitting my messages in two. I've had a lot of tramadol today which makes my hands twitch so I hit the wrong buttons¡

[Juneswoon]

Update on facet joint injections, they took around 3 weeks to kick in but there is an improvement.

I don’t know why when I practise my yoga (very gentle ) it seems to bring on the pain rather than help? Does anyone else find this ?

I’m trying to help myself to strengthen back rather than relying on injections etc but difficult when the pain gets worse afterwards.

[Urania]

Try CBD Hemp Oil. Helped me after 40 years of arthritis in the spine. Feel like a new person after only one week. Am 81 years old. Thank you God. You can get info and purchase on internet. I am using Full Spectrum. See full reply to Sukie1.