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Degeneration of the spine

Posted , 10 users are following.

libralady13
libralady13

Hello I have OA in both knees neck and early stage in hips a few years ago following xrays I was told that I have degeneration at places all down the spine although at the time apart from neck pain but not all the time my back was not too bad.  My question is does anyone get mid back pain from this condition.  I have pain both sides more so left side.  It seems to be from top and inside of the shoulder blade going down at an angle.  The only thing that helps is hot water bottle and pernaton cream helps to take the edge off.  Unfortunately I can only take paracetamol.  Nsaids and codeine types cause my ibs to flare up.  I also have pain and stiffness at waist level both sides.  Really pain all over the back at dofferent times.

I have a gp appointment next week.  I have so much going on at the moment I really need to sort this out.  I should have said the back feels sore to the touch and my husband thinks it may be muscle related.  I do suffer from anxiety so that won't help.  Thanks.

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 libralady13

    Posted

    Hi

    It does sound as if a good physio will help you and your Hubble maybe right.

    Could be referred pain from your neck and again physio will help.

    I found a book a week ago on Amazon which is amazing too ...only half way through reading it but I've cheered up reading it and it's given me hope and lots of knowledge on what to do. Written by a doctor who specialises in arthritis in USA (in hospital that did Pope John Paul's hip replacement so not some dodgy institution). Not sure this site will let me name it but will try as would help so many on this board. Called arthritis Rx. Just reading it might give you hope for ur arthritis and ibs and Cheer you up and give you ideas on what to do to improve.

    A good muscular-skeletal physio will be able to help ur shoulder...

    • Enna1
      Enna1 sparkle1

      Posted

      Did anyone tell you that you may have spinal stenosis? Agree a physio but an osteopath set me on the path to more help and resultant X Ray and MRIS so that all would be told.  To be truthful all the pills I am on Lyrica and Pazital (don't know what its called in the States) a hot water bottle gives me great relief.  But I often put a hot water bottle on my thigh and end up burning myself.  Must remember to make a little material pad to put it in. Yes I get mid back pain but not so much, I don't know why.  I have had drs ask me this and didn't know whether its the medication. I have a feeling that although I have had ops, for my back it could be my hip. I too am going to the drs next week so its on my list of questions to ask.  Otherwise I don't have much pain until I start to walk round a big supermarket or going for a walk.

      The other wrong thing we are all doing, is sit at the computer!!!!.

       

    • libralady13
      libralady13 sparkle1

      Posted

      Hi Thanks for your reply.  Yes I was going to ask my gp about physio.  I will have a look at the book you mention.  The trouble is I have various medical problems and medication and often get frustated as I don't know hwat might be causing a new symptom.  

      Best wishes.

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK Enna1

      Posted

      Hi Enna

      I dont think its safe to use a hot water bottle.

      What about using a "hottie" they have all different names. One that you put in the microwave for a couple of minutes and heat it up.

      Its much safer

      Love

      Eileen UK

  • CelsB
    CelsB libralady13

    Posted

    Hi LIbraLady,

    I also have degeneration of the spine, although I have never had my spine Xrayed completely as I have not complained of pain.  My lower spine showed up when my hips were Xrayed, and the surgeon expressed surprise that I am not in more pain as he said it was worse then my hip (RTHR done 3/316).    The only pain I feel is first thing in the morning - just stiffness which wears off as I get moving.  My upper spine and neck was Xrayed when I suffered shoulder numbness and left arm tingling and was found to have degenerated vertebrae causing pinched nerves.

    Since my hip op and subsequent enforced back sleeping I am suffering more from back pain and plan to discuss this with my surgeon when I see him on 18th April for my check up.

    I hope you get some resolution.  Let us know how it goes.

    Cels xxx

    • libralady13
      libralady13 CelsB

      Posted

      Hi Thanks for your reply.  When I was at the hospital for my knees a couple of years ago the doctor looked at my back Xrays and said you  must have a good pain threshold as your back has been bad for years.  I  replied no I don't have a low threshold for pain and don't have much pain.  Now of course the situation has changed.  Hope you get on ok at your check up.  All the best.

       

  • lyn65518
    lyn65518 libralady13

    Posted

    I have had osteoarthritis for 20 years, first lower back now it is in hands wrists arms left shoulder, I have had pain mid back and when I lay on my back left side going down flank feels like there is something growing there but I know it's not, I have had x Ray's  and ct both flank sides . But I was told the osteoarthritis is probably affecting the nerves. I have stopped taking naproxen. And just take 2 tramadol and 2 paracetamol at night then just paracetamol in day, I still have pain I know I will never be pain free. Anxiety plays a big part it makes the pain feel worse. 
    • libralady13
      libralady13 lyn65518

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.  Like you I have had oa for many years.  My knees were terribly painful a few years ago and I had a period of being housebound.  The pain was from the knee all over and going down outside of my leg into my foot.  I cried out sometimes with the pain.  Then just as I was about to have knee washout.  It suddenly improved and the surgery was cancelled.  What I did learn was that the leg and foot pain was probably from the spine but I had not had any xrays or pain in the back at the time.  My knees are not too bad now and my neck only plays up from time to time.  I think you can deal with this it is constant daily pain that really gets you down.  You are right anxiety does play a big part but it is hard to be positive when in pain.  I will see what my gp says next week.  I hope you continue to cope ok.  It is hard to accept permanent pain and get on with your life but we need to do it.  Thank heavens for my good family and grandchildren.
  • alpine
    alpine libralady13

    Posted

    Hello Libralady

    Have you tried a pain clinic ? The injections may help, I have them every week for my spinal stenosis. Walking is painful but aquafit keeps me active, I go five times a week. My physio told me I had spinal stenosis which was confirmed by a MRI.

    I've been told to avoid pain killers as they are bad for the liver. When sitting I use a heating pad.   I wish you well in your effort to overcome pain.  Alpine

  • grandmaDylan
    grandmaDylan libralady13

    Posted

    Has anyone mentioned fibromyalgia to you? It causes pain in various muscles and even the lightest touch can be ridiculously painful. I have OA in both knees and hips, never had spine xrayed. I also have fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rhumatica which makes for pain everywhere! I always use a hot water bottle and have damaged the skin on my back probably due to using one for about 13 years.
    • libralady13
      libralady13 grandmaDylan

      Posted

      Hello,  A while back when I was at my doctors I complained about pain all over and she gave me a leaflet to read about fibromyalgia to see if I thought this might be it. I have not mentioned it to her again but I have an appointment next week.  I did ask on this forum at least a year ago if anyone thought my symptoms might be fibromyalgia but the general opinion was that because I have other conditions with similar symptoms they did not think so.  Also I gathered that this condition causes awful fatigue and brainfog.  I certainly do get tired and don't sleep well.  I wake a lot during the night and early in the morning. I have arthritis like you underactive thyroid and IBS to name a few.  I know that these problems are often mentioned along side fibromyalgia.

      I suffer from anxiety which I think it the trigger for many of my problems, particulary health anxiety.   

    • Enna1
      Enna1 libralady13

      Posted

      Hi, is there no fibromyalgia forum?  Everyone is different just like bad backs!!  I think you might be right about anxiety, I think its the problem with a lot of illnesses.  I know that a friend who had replacement discs - his wife had fibromyalgia and suffered a lot.

      Good luck to find the right treatment.

  • jan56581
    jan56581 libralady13

    Posted

    Hi, Libralady:  I feel for your pain.  I have arthritis all over my joints.  I recently felt the pain between my shoulder blades as well.  You are not alone.  It would be interesting to find out if you get your anxiety under control if that might reduce pain. I find that if I do not treat the anxiety I would have much worse pain.  I do suffer from anxiety/depression.  I treat those issues and the pain is less.  Let me know if I can help in anyway.  Jan

     

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