Lower back pain

[kathyrob]

I have been getting lower back pain for quite a while just wondering if it's this dreaded PMR or arthritis. Been on steroids after diagnosis since July 17 still waiting to see rheumatologist as they lost me in the system. Thought it was a miracle at first back then downhill. Don't get a lot of help from medical professionals. Recently told last few blood tests have shown enlarged red cells don't know if it's due to steroids or thyroid problem. The only help I get is from reading these forums which seem full of knowledge. I am currently on 9mg but still get a lot of pain. Any help gratefully received.

[SheffieldJane]

I get quite severe low back pain if I stand for any length of time. My X-Ray showed significant deterioration in my lower spine, arthritis I guess. There is muscle weakening with the use of steroids which may well make things worse. Are you tall? My husband is and he gets bad back pain and yet nothing shows up in tests. He does a lot of train travel, that can’t help. You need those blood tests to be explained to you, perhaps you need a more engaged GP?

[Hidden]

I too have a lot of back pain. I was diagnosed with GCA in Dec 17 was on 60mg prednisone now down to 9mg this week. I had severe muscle weakness for the first few months which has improved but my back is still sore when I stand for any period of time. This could be in part due to osteopenia which the Dexa scan showed but it is also as Jane says due to muscle weakness. I just continue to take frequent rests to sit and do some exercises so that my muscles do not ‘die’ on me. I am also quite tall which has its own problems! I hope you can get some better advice from doctors as you seem to have been waiting too long.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi kathyrob,

Could be arthritis, mine is! Ask for an X-ray. Could also be myofascial pain syndrome- very often a side effect of PMR. If you type in myofascial pain in search box -above right- you might get some info. If it is, then maybe physio or Bowen therapy may help.

When you eventually get Rheumy appointment do mention it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

"Thought it was a miracle at first back then downhill."

Did you reduce too fast/too far or did you just go back to "normal living"? All likely to cause trouble.

Low back pain can also be due to myofascial pain syndrome and it often accompanies PMR. It causes spasmed muscles - and they HURT! At one time I couldn't stand or walk for more than about 10-15 mins without developing excruciating low back pain which made me feel sick it was so intense. I had had a car accident, someone drove out in front of me, and got whiplash which really was the cherry on the top! The orthopod I saw privately from the insurance insisted it was degeneration of the lower spine and there was nothing to be done, I would have to live with it. Not that he'd done any imaging.

Some months later it was so bad I couldn't get out of bed without a handul of painkillers first. I managed to crawl to the ED and there they admitted me - the muscle spasm was causing sacroiliitis. Their first approach caused a rather unpleasant drug reaction so I was sent to the pain clinic where they sorted out the hard back muscles the slow way with steroid injections into trigger points and manual mobilisation. It took several months but since then I have no low back pain except when I try to use a vacuum or sweeping brush and it goes quickly when I stop. So much for the orthopod's diagnosis!

Previously I had had a lot of benefit from Bowen therapy - now it is the physio and manual mobilisation of the trigger points.