Back Pain

[Michelle63]

I see so much written about joint pain in hands, feet, hips and knees, I suffer in all those area as well but most of my pain is throughout my back. Does anyone else have most of their pain in the spine?

[Cathy777]

I have a lot of back pain but am sure its due to the other pain in my body making me not keep my posture as correct as it should be. When my feet hurt for example I can walk with a limp so that puts my back out. I believe RA is not directly related.

[Michelle63 in reply to Cathy777]

I have a similar issue of not walking straight. I have an 18% curve in my back from scoliosis and I also have a hypermobile SI joint in my pelvic. So I often believe that because I'm so kind of crooked that in flames me. I've also had back surgery. There's so many things going on with my body that it is not surprising it hurts all the time. What I really want to nail down is what is RA and what is purely structural and mechanical. Thank you so much for your comment.

[Cathy777 in reply to Michelle63]

Sorry to hear of all your problems. RA must just be even more of a burden for you. I wonder if the medics really know how it all connects. But it much impact on the whole bone structure. Are you in much pain or are meds helping a bit? Hope so. X

[Michelle63 in reply to Cathy777]

Yes I am on hydrocodone however I'm about to run out and I'm hoping to get my prescription renewed. It's hard to tell with all the controversy regarding painkillers.

[tselph in reply to Michelle63]

@Michelle63,

I, too have had back surgery & have a lot of problems with my SI joint pinching the sciatic nerve. This pain is severe so I know what you go through. I finally went to a chiropractor & he got it to release the punching of it. I still have some back pain but not as bad. I use ice on it when it gets inflamed & that helps. I hope you get some relief.

[Hidden]

I had real issues with my low back pain in 2011 , as my occupation is a nurse I was often diagnosed with " typical nurses back problems " but in 2012 following an MRI diagnosing grade three spondylilothesis , underwent major spinal surgery (TLIF) only to also find that I had 3 large Rhumatoid nodules (one being the size of a lemon) developed on my lumber vertebrae 4/5 to which was removed , my orthopaedic surgeon explained that they had probably been growing for years ! And as we can not see into our back to notice anything abnormal to our normal , shaking of the pain or back ache pain was my normal as it went with a 40 hour a week busy , ageing nurse ! So further MRI results showing 'nodules/cysts on my cervical vertebra . No surgery planned for removal as yet !!

And yes I also have rheumatoid nodules on my fingers and toes recently developed !

So my advise would be to please request MRI to at least investigate if you have any nodules/ cysts developing , to act now sooner than later . Hope all goes well .

[Michelle63 in reply to Hidden]

Wow that is some thing. What kind of RA do you have? I had surgery for a grade to two last year with -- L4L5 fused. And although the pain from that back issue has gone away completely, I had thought that was the reason for all of my back pain. But when my pain continued, although a different type of pain not as intense because I don't have nerve pressure, I realized I had something else going on. My spine doctor had mentioned that I have arthritis in my back so I have now asked for all of my x-rays and MRI to be forwarded to my rheumatologist to see to see extent of the arthritis. My spine doctor didn't seem to be at all concerned about it but considering the amount of pain that I'm in and ni w that I'm seeing a rheumatologist I want to better diagnosis.. Thank you so much for your response. It is been very helpful. I hope you are doing well.

[Hidden in reply to Michelle63]

I've been with my rheumatologist for 15 yrs and he's great. I saw a Spine specialist because my back already has numerous issues and the latest is a slipped disc between L4-L5. It was a joke because he never even touched my back. I actually had to read to HIM my latest CT scan results. Then the best he offered me was a cortisone shot in my back. I saw him for EIGHT minutes. I stormed out of there.

[Cathy777 in reply to Hidden]

Wow that is so bad. You spend so many hours helping others only to be brushed off for so long when it comes to you needing help. It makes me angry.

[SherryKayB]

You have my sympathy. Luckily, I do not share the agony of back pain with you. However, I have relatives who suffer from back pain and it is excruciating. So sorry. Hope you can find lasting relief.

[jewel8888]

I am wishing you get some relief for your back pain. I'm sitting on a cheating pad now for same reason. I have atens unit to I'll be using later. It helps with the extreme pain in my Neck and back. I've had psoriatic arthritis for a long time and it'd all thru my spine. I really hope you can get to feeling better.

[sharoncookie]

Every day the back pain is there. The only way to stop it is rest. The more I do the pain gets so bad I have to sit down or lay down.

[Frisco04]

Yes, that is one of the areas where my RA started. 10 years later it is still an issue along with lower extremities.

[tselph]

I have had a lot of pain in my spine also, but I've blamed it on other things in my health history. So I don't know how much of my pain is from the RA & how much is from other problems.

[Hidden]

I'm a little new to the group. I was diagnosed with RA about 12 yrs ago. I have had back pain that has been getting worse and that was one of the main reason for my diagnosis. It started with my left hand then back. I also fibromyalgia, asthma & have had 3 surgeries on my foot I the past 5 yrs. With my back, I have both rheumatoid AND osteoarthritis in my back. I have spinal stenosis, degenerative disc & joint disease and earlier this year I have a slipped disc which I don't even know how I got. I've tried acupuncture and trigger point injections which actually caused more damage. My doctor suggested a TENS machine for my back. It has 4 patches that you place where you have pain and you can set it for the amount of time. They have an OTC version but I never tried. It feels like a nice massage after using the TENS machine. I also found a great physical therapist who gave me exercises, which are more like stretches. The other thing that has helped is aquatic physical therapy. In the water, it really is easy to do the exercises. One thing I did find out is that right after your p/t session, you'll feel better, WRONG! It can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to feel some relief. Everyone is different and I got so much wrong with my back so that is another reason. Deep tissue massage I get after my sessions which hurts when getting it in certain places but THAT really brings immediate relief. Good luck to you and don't feel that you're alone dealing with pain. There are many of us out there. I've also learned to be my own Advocate with doctors and physical therapist. No one knows your body like you so if you feel like you're not being heard or getting relief, there is someone else who can help you.

[Jmiller46]

TENS units are AWESOME :). You can get them on Amazon and a lot of other sites very reasonably now. I miss mine...we just moved and it is lost in the shuffle somewhere. I tried the Icy Hot variety and it was just ok. Nothing like the real thing and you can actually get a decent one online cheaper than the Icy Hot one I bought was.

[Magpie789]

Hi. I've been diagnosed with RA for 5 years. Just in the last year or so I have been having spine pain. My rheumatologist hasn't agreed yet that it's inflammation but she will. It takes her time to be sure. Some mornings when I wake it's stiff. Other times I can't stand or walk too long.

[msjenni]

Hi Everyone, I have been told multiple times by multiple doctors that the lower spine is not related to RA. Only the upper cervical spine is affected by RA. I have had severe lower back issues for over 16 years and am currently going through a bad flare up for about a week. Tens units are great but I suprisingly had great success with acupuncture. My siatic nerve is pinched right now too. I wish you the best of luck and hope you start feeling better soon.

[Michelle63]

Well, I now know why I have so much back pain. This past Thursday, my rheumy diagnosed me with Spondyloarthropathy with high likelihood of it being Ankylosing spondylitis which "is a form of joint inflammation (arthritis) that is long-lasting (chronic) and most often affects the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis commonly causes pain and stiffness, with swelling and limited motion in the low back, middle back, neck, hips, chest wall, and heels." Needless to say, I was devastated, but I'm slowly getting my mind wrapped around it. I start on Enbrel next week. The diagnoses explains SO MUCH and I'm relieved to finally have confirmed name. Now I can focus on getting the help I need to help slow down the process of this terrible condition. I suspect my SI Joints have fused already... won't know until we do x-rays, bone scan, etc. For now, she just wants to get me on the drugs. I'm negative for the HLA-B27, although it's hereditary as my sister has the same condition, but in her heart and lungs... Folks, if you have SI Joint pain, lower back pain, tennis elbow, knee issues, etc., please proactively ask your rheumy if it can be AS. My anti-ccp number is another indicator... most just look to see if you have the gene, but push if you have to, as I don't have the gene and neither does my sister.

[A-Faye]

I have pain in spine, where my ribs meet my spine, where my ribs meet my sternum, where my clavicle meets my sternum, hips, knees, shoulders, wrists and hands.