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Newly diagnosed with severe spinal osteoarthritis

Posted , 7 users are following.

n2v
n2v

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can throw some light on my condition.

I have been finally diagnosed via MRI with severe spinal osteoarthritis. I am only in my 40'spare and the GP has said how unlucky I am to have it at this age.

I have been (and am) in severe pain for many months. I may have it elsewhere in my body as the MRI was just for lower back. I have arthritic type pain in my hands, knees, neck, hips and elbows.

Has anyone here got a similar condition and/or can throw light on this confirm and what I might expect/can do to help slow its course?

I understand keeping mobile (but pacing myself), swimming and walking is good.

Any helpful comments will be really appreciated.

2 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • jacquie16342
    jacquie16342 n2v

    Posted

    Hello

    I have srthritis in my lower spine, and both knees.  I am 63 and have been struggling for years.  I recently, and eventually, had a total hip replacement, so that has helped my hip but I still stsruggle with walking and standing for any longer than a fe minutes.  The pain becomes so bad I end up shaking a bit which worries me as I am afraid i I am going to fall over.  I go to physio and always do the excercises she gives me.  I am trying to do without painkillsers.  Physio says she and I need to learn to 'manage' the arthritis, and so this is what I am tyring to do.  I think you have to keep as strong as you can and would advise seeing a good sports physio who will give you resistence excercises as well as doing some manipulation.  I hope life is not too bad for you, but arthritis is a lonely old diseasse as one becomes more housebound.  Take care

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK jacquie16342

      Posted

      Hi

      I dont think the physio meant "manage" it without painkillers.

      I have arthritis in my lower spine, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and am on crutches permanently.

      I'm a volunteer for Arthritis Care.......we advocate "Self Management" but not without pain killers......just realise that GP's can oly do so much and we have to do the rest. Relaxation, exercise, heat/cold.....which ever works for you and things like that. but with some painkillers....as little as you can manage.....check with her about that. Does she mean you to do without painkillers {or pain dullers} biggrin  I dont thinnk there is such a thing as a pain killer......its a duller....takes the edge off cheesygrin

      Love

      Eileen   UK

  • janburns
    janburns n2v

    Posted

    Hello, I am relatively new to this site but I too have osteoarthritis. Recently my hip has been hurting and when I turn on my right side while sleeping I get intense pain in my right hip and can hardly walk so I try not to sleep on that side. I had a MRI a couple of years ago that said I have osteoarthritis in the spine but i've been able to work and take tramadol to manage it. I'm wondering if its spread to my hip but I just had 2 xrays and a catscan in ER and the doctor said there was nothing wrong with my hip and that he saw spaces in my back around my spine but that isn't causing me the problems. There is no cure for osterarthritis but it is managable. Once in awhile my left hip area will start hurting and heat up so I just move around and it goes away but this thing with my right hip is new. I don't have serious osteo like you do but I will say that the tramadol makes it bearable and I also take ibruprophin when needed. Thos 2 forms of pills do help and every night I take a hot bath and that helps more than I can say.
  • alpine
    alpine n2v

    Posted

    Hello n2v

    For my o.a. I cut down on food & drink containing acetic acid and it made a difference. I go to aquafit and use a flotation belt which means no load bearing on my legs but walking and cycling are out of the question. I started aqupuncture which also brings some relief. Medication helps me get to sleep. Once I had sciatica but it went away with hot yoga (room temp. 40C). I didn't stay with yoga, maybe that was my biggest mistake. 

    alpine

  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 n2v

    Posted

    Hello, Sorry you are suffering so much. I have had Arthritis since the age of 11, i am now 58. Mine in the lower spine started at aged 40. My knee as been replaced twice and my other knee is having treatment that asn't worked so now waiting for a referal to a specialist. With my back i have to pace myself and find bending and sitting the worst. Swimming is good thou i don't swim. Stretching exercises are good especially on waking in the mornings and before sleep. I do find most chairs uncomfortable, trying to find a chair that as good support is important, thou this is more difficult in public ie resturants. I take Naproxen for my spine as i couldn't do without anything. I find this more gentle than the Tramadol type drugs. I do take other drugs for my knee as i have nerve pain and now mobility problems. I think trying to cope with no drugs is near impossible with Arthritis. I also take Coedine to help with sleep at night. Pain management clinics are good i helping you manage pain, see you GP if you need to try this. Hope this helps.

    Elizabeth.

  • n2v
    n2v

    Posted

    Thank you so much for your replies. It is really helpful to hear how you have got on and what helps. I'm going back for some physio and will swim as I think it will help my general fitness and strengthen my core. Also I'll look at starting up yoga again as that's very good for general wellbeing and core stability.

    I can relate to pain on sitting and bending. It's particularly uncomfortable in a car and I find a cushion helps behind my lower back. Also I find sleep doesn't alleviate it and in the night I have to move around to get comfortable. I use a hot water bottle on my back which helps. Like you've said pain medication can't really be avoided.

    Thanks again.

    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 n2v

      Posted

      Hi, I've also got OA in spine and multi joints including shoulders, elbows, hands and feet. The best treatment I found was hydrotherapy in a warm speciality pool at a local hospital Closed now due to NHS/goverment cuts! mad I'm 72 and unfortunately the OA seems to be degenerating more quickly now as I'm unable to walk far due to pain and stiffness. It's definitely better to exercise and keep moving as much as possible with the help of pain relief. I don't think I could do much without Tramadol and Diclofenac. I believe this is probably what was meant by managing it. Sleepwise, the Tramadol help with that plus a comfy bed. Not a hard mattress! Mine is medium/firm with a memory foam topper. So called orthopedic mattresses have no resilience to accommadate pain in hips or shoulders, we need comfort for this and a good sleep! rolleyes Chairs should also be comfortable too, especially if you sit a lot of the time. I purchased a new armchair which reclines to full length if required and is well cushioned as well as being supportive. Can be purchased from most mobility shops and online. You need to choose a reputable firm. Hope all this helps. Best wishes, Ellie. smile
    • n2v
      n2v Ellie1943

      Posted

      Thank you Ellie. Sorry to hear you're suffering with OA. I'm only in my 40'spare so am wondering what life I'm heading for. Hydrotherapy sounds great. I will be swimming to strengthen my core and but will look also into hydrotherapy. Totally agree over the bed. Mine is also comfortable and not a hard so called orthopaedic one. I bought it before this diagnosis and it supports the back in the right places. Years ago I got good advice on that front. Didn't save my back but at least it's comfortable. I'm looking into a comfortable chair. Pain management is going to be trial and error I think. I'll go through the GP. Thanks again and I hope you get respite from the OA when possible.
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