1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Rheumatoid Arthritis

discussion with my consultant

Posted , 14 users are following.

ivan17274
ivan17274

hi folks.

just back from appointment with my consultant, talked about how I am etc, etc. told him of usual aches and pains and location. one particular area getting worse I said was my spine. he then preceded to tell me me it's a matter for my doctor and not him. I asked why.he informed me it can't be Ra, because it's impossible to get RA in the spine.

in 30 years of having RA, that's news to me. has anyone else been told the same?

best wishes ivan.

0 likes, 43 replies

43 Replies

Prev Next
  • louise_56265
    louise_56265 ivan17274

    Posted

    Hi

    That is rubbish..I had surgery on my spine 3 years ago...on vertebrae c1-c3

    My consultant told me that my Arthritis was compressing these vertebrae.

    I had bone taken from my hip and placed in my spine at these points..pinned with metal screws...these were fused.

    This procedure is known as axial Atlanto instability.

    Get it checked out !!!

  • louise_56265
    louise_56265 ivan17274

    Posted

    Hi

    That is rubbish..I had surgery on my spine 3 years ago...on vertebrae c1-c2

    My consultant told me that my Arthritis was compressing these vertebrae.

    I had bone taken from my hip and placed in my spine at these points..pinned with metal screws...these were fused.

    This procedure is known as axial Atlanto instability.

    Get it checked out !!!

    • jamie_54777
      jamie_54777 louise_56265

      Posted

      That's very similar to my diagnosis. I found out today, through xray only so far that I have DDD, SCIATICA, OSTEOARTHRITIS, AND BLOOD WAS+ for Rheumatoid arthritis.

      Getting MRI next and have neurosurgery specialist appt. Plus rheumatologist. So painful! I feel for you

    • louise_56265
      louise_56265 jamie_54777

      Posted

      Fingers crossed for a good result..

      I was signed off work for a year...collars...and had to keep mobility to a limit.

      The strange thing was I had no pain what so ever.

      Quite bizarre really as the severity of my diagnosis was dangerous.

    • jamie_54777
      jamie_54777

      Posted

      Everything that they xrayed came back with moderate damage. Can imagine what they tell me when I get the MRI done.... Eeeeek.

      This is messing with my mind!

      In severe, not moderate pain. Can't imagine what it will be like when I'm older.

  • Rowbirdie
    Rowbirdie ivan17274

    Posted

    No one is mentioning ankylosing spondylitis.?

    thought that was similar to RA and definitely affects the back from what I ve read. Has your consultant looked into that?

  • jbjb93
    jbjb93 ivan17274

    Posted

    Interesting discussion as I have pain in my back. Lately my neck and jaw have been bad and giving me headaches. Going to follow thread for info. Thanks for posting. 
    • louise_56265
      louise_56265 jbjb93

      Posted

      Please people..if you are suffering with any upper body (neck..spine..jaw pain) get it checked out.

      This AAI is very common in people with RA.

      I did a lot of research into this condition and it seems that patients are not regularly checked for this.

      I am speaking from experience..it could have been fatal for me..as there was so much movement in my spinal colum.

      Don't want to scare anyone just need people to be aware.!!!!

    • jamie_54777
      jamie_54777 jbjb93

      Posted

      Yes I get headaches too from my C1-7 being affected. Thinking I have pinched nerve in there somewhere.
    • ivan17274
      ivan17274 louise_56265

      Posted

      hi Louise.

      fascinating reading your post. please forgive my ignorance, but I'm not familiar with the term AAl. embarrassing really. but what is it short for, seeing as I also have jaw and neck trouble. thanks for your post and take care and keep well. ivan.

    • louise_56265
      louise_56265 ivan17274

      Posted

      Hi.

      AAI is ATLANTO AXIAL INSTABILITY.

      Basically degenerative bone from my RA at points C1 and C2.had too much movement in my spine colum...needed to be made more stable.

    • Jayjay1959
      Jayjay1959 jbjb93

      Posted

      My jaw does suffer in some if the flare ups I have had

      Drives you up the wall with the headaches and neuralgia

  • debbie_39876
    debbie_39876 ivan17274

    Posted

    Hi Ivan..

    I have some serious back pain going on. Have had for couple years. Been referred to physio, but like you I was also told it's not likely to be arthritis as it normally only occurs in the neck... But rarely it can appear in the lower back... So why can't we be the rare ones and be taken seriously. I can't even get a doctor to do a xray to rule it out

  • sukes
    sukes ivan17274

    Posted

    Hello Ivan,

    I have been told that I have arthritis in my spine, but to be fair it is mostly Osteo  Having said that, I have quite severe ankylosing spondylitis so I'm wondering if that is what your problem is.  

    I googled RA in spine and this is what it said   'Although rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects the hips, knees, hands, wrists, feet, elbows and ankles, it can also affect the facet joints in the spine, causing pain and, in severe cases, destruction of the joints'

    Take care. x

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.