Medications. What helps, What dont?

Is spinal arthritis osteoarthritis?  If so, you would do a lot better to be getting appropriate physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles which support the spine, and avoiding those heavy duty pain killers.

If it's a different kind of arthritis we need a bit more information in order to give useful advice.

I have arthritis in my spine, have been doing physio exercises for many years, perhaps fifteen, for my back.  I avoided painkillers from the very beginning as I read aspirin could actually make arthritis worse, even while it helped with pain.  I take a large dose of glucosamine, 1000 mg morning and evening.  This is not a pain killer, and research whether it works or not is mixed, but I feel it's helped me.  I also eat a good, varied diet and am not overweight.  

I do appreciate you are in a bad way right now but maybe you could investigate mechanical rather than drug methods.  Can you investigate therapies which use electricity or light to heal tissues?  Can't name them here.  These are also often offered by physiotherapists, as well as simple exercises.  

I find anti-inflammatories upset my stomach so much I stick with paracetamol and codeine. I put an anti - inflammatory gel on my knee.  I have had scoliosis since puberty and now get neck and shoulder pain. The knee pain stops me walking far but if I manage a walk I feel much better.  My daughter who is in her 40s has sponylolesthesis and finds amitryptiline helps her get a good night's sleep.  My doctor has not prescribed them for me and says stick to Feldene gel and cocodamol.  I now find my right knee is surning inwards which impedes walking at any spede or for any distance.

I have had arthritis since childhood and in the spine for 20 years. I currently take Gaberpentin and co codamol. I also take Amitriptyline at night to help with sleep as it relaxes the nerves around the spine. I have tried many things over the years with little sucess. Exercise thou not impact exercises, i only do what is specific for the spine, mainly stretching. A good quality medium to firm mattress is great. I can only sit in one type of chair so it's a nightmare going out for meals etc. I pace myself everyday. Walking is good thou i have mobility problems due to my knees. 

​Am feeling for you, as you do sound as if life is dealing you  a hard blow.

​I do also have osteo in many parts of my body, but not to your extent, I feel.  There are other meds that you can take, when the pain becomes too much (added to what has been mentioned ....the Gabapentin and Amitriptylline which are very good), for as you say, even for a short period of relief.  A rhuematologist is a very understanding person when it comes to treating Osteo, and other painful conditions: so if you do not have one that you are comfortable with, then keep looking for a relatively newly specialised one, who may know of the more up-to-date meds available.

​                                                    keep in touch so we know how things go for you.                                                           Bron

Scoliosis is not a disease. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. The spinal bones protect the spinal cord which runs through the foramen (fancy word for hole) of each vertebrae. The vertebrae stack on top of each other. On either side of each vertebrae a nerve root from the spinal cord innervates a specific area of the body. The nerve roots biforcate, one becoming anterior (front) the other posterior (back).

When one developes scoliosis, the vertebral column curves towards the side of the body as opposed to being straight up and down. If you stand on two feet and bend forward at the waist, others will be able to see the curvature of your spinal column.

So, when the vertebral column curves, the nerves to may parts of your body are compressed. Compressed nerves cry out with pain, numbness, tingling, burning and are unable to tramsmitthe messages both to and from the brain.

You may respond to a brace wgich will encourage you spine to become straight.

As to degenerative disc disease...a disc is inbetween each vertebrae of your spinal column. This discs are shock absorbers that also protect the nerve roots. Remove a disc and the nerves become compressed and cry out. It is possible for the loss of discs to cause scoliosis.

Surgical stabilization may be suggested.

My question is: what caused the disc degeneration? Whatever caused the DDD needs to be treated The scoliosis is a symptom.

Meantime, perhaps you will temporarily accept that your body is in crisis. Your body needs rest.

After all of the testing, what did your physician suggest as a course of action?

hugs

judith