Hi all having a bit of a tough time! I fractured my vertebrae no really sure how! But that was 2 months ago. The pain has got worse all around lung area. Iv had X-rays to confirm. I not sure if pmr pain or vertebrae. Painkillers not touching it. Oxycodone and paracetamol. Anyone got any advice please.
Thanks
Ouch! I take it you have been back to the doctor to tell them things are getting worse rather than better?
When you say you don't know how - are these spontaneous compression fractures?
spine-health.com/blog/what-...
in which case, maybe you have developed more. Do you have a back brace? That helps stabilise the spine and reduce pain - it was a good 3 months before my OH's pain receded.
The stress of the fractures may also be making the PMR worse - and oxycodone and paracetamol won't touch that,
Sorry to here you're suffering, I've fractured vertebrae on two separate occasions and the pain was awful. After the second lot I got to see a fracture nurse who was helpful in the obvious things but also told me that is usually 4 months from a vertebral fracture before you can "sit up and take notice" , I found this to be true. I spent 2 consecutive summers on the sun lounger on the shade, when not raining!I was told that the NHS does not offer back braces as they can make the back muscles weaker.
A long time after the second fractures I got to see the pain clinic who were charming and encouraging and tweaked my pain medication, the big difference being a change to slow release tramadol. I now take slow release morphine instead. I also have lidocaine patches. These are for the long term pain I have, the fractures have healed long ago. I'm told I'm unlucky in having long term pain.
Like you I think the pain got worse with prednisolone reductions both before and after the fractures have healed.
I have on a couple of occasions felt I must have cracked a rib because of chest pain but apparently not, its just the muscles.
Have you spoken to a fracture nurse? Or the Royal Osteoporosis Society helpline? I found them very helpful.
Hi thanks for in dear reply. I’m seeing a physio next week I may ask about steroid infections. I’m so glad you mentioned ribs because they are killing me. As if pmr not enough to sort out. It’s hard knowing what pains belong to which problem. Do you know how you fractured yours?
Janet
The first two after a lovely ride on my pony with my son on his all time favorite horse, an outing I remember fondly strangely enough. The second two after a coughing fit during an attack of a nasty respiratory virus, this was before Covid-19. At some time I have fractured a rib although this was never painful.After the second 2 fractures I went to A and E because my GPs were having a training day.
After waiting 4 hours they did x rays and were amazed that I was right! That's when I discovered that they couldn't prescribe pain killers! At that point I was only having codeine and paracetamol for the first 2 fractures, I am happy that you have been given something stronger straight away, its certainly needed.
As I have steroid induced osteoporosis I have to be very careful about lifting, 5kgs is about my limit and then with great care. Stretching makes the old pain come back as well.
If I push down intoPlant pots it kills me. And leaning into oven. Does pain ever go completely
I’m taking paracetamol, oxycodone and amitryptilene. Trying to get it all under control. It’s getting me down. Your posts are really helping. Than youn
The initial pain from the fractures does go when they heal. I found that walking helped enormously after the fractures heal, I have been advised in the strongest terms against riding again. I'm not very good at doing exercises, but I think that the gentle stretches the physio recommended did help a bit. It is a case of hanging in there, it does get better.
Did you pain fluctuate! I still do a ten minWalk but keep stopping I initially found walking helped but should I wait until better.
My rib pain was nerve pain radiating from T7. Initially with multiple fractures I just hurt everywhere. The two subacute fractures , one of which was T7, were found a year later. Gabapentin has helped. Now my next “ lower meds “ goal is to start on that one. I’m on 200 mg a day. My best.
Hi Uglow, My wife had steroid induced fractures, 9 in all. They were patched with verteplasty procedure to stableize. It injects cement like material in the cracks. Does help.Jim & CJ
Hi Jim How do you get this is it an operation I’m at the point of just stop this pain 😢
If one is lucky! For my first fractures all I was given was codeine and paracetamol and told to rest. Given the devastating effect on my way of life I could have done with a bit more support.
Hi Again UglowThe procedure, which is a pain management one, is "Bilateral Vertebral augmentation w/ Cavity creation w/ balloon". This is done under sleep and it keeps the bone from cracking further. My wife had it done from T9 through L5 in FL by DR Daicsh in FT Myers. He insisted that she get on Forteo to help with her bones, which she did and it stopped the fractures. She is currently at 3.5 Prednisone (GCA) and has not had fractures for 3 years.
Best of Luck & God Bless,
Jim & CJ
I was very interested in this as I had vertebroplasty, but they only would do three of them. Possibly the others were to old. Had seven fractures. All thoracic. I’m on Prolia. Will be a year before another Dexascan to see if it helps. That’s encouraging that your wife is doing so well. My best to her.
Should I reduce while I have a Fractured Vertebra.
REDUCING PRED WITH FRACTURED PELVIS
Update on my previous post trapped nerve and PMR.
Further developments in the 'back muscle strain' saga
