Pain in Upper Legs - Coming from Lower Back? | Arthritis Information
I've been in flare mode for about two months. In addition to the ususal joints, for the first time my back became a target [lower and upper]. I was thinking Ankylosing Spondylitis, but couldn't get my RD to commit to it. Rather, he wants to wait for 6 weeks to see if the mega dose Vitamin D my endocrinologist ordered [my Vitamin D is below 20] helps resolve the problem.
Well after three mega-doses in three weeks it hasn't. I'm seeing the orth surgeon on Wednesday since this is getting really, really old.
What I'm wondering is, has anyone had lower back problem that weakens the upper legs and causes you to be pronating [slightly bent forward]. It especially hurts when I get up out of a chair. Sometimes the pain runs from my sacoriliac down to my hips to the sides of my upper thighs. Other times it runs down the front of the thighs. I really didn't think it is a pinched nerve because many years ago I had that and it was really, really bad. This doesn't compare in degree of pain.
Any ideas?
What do they call that? Lumbago or something. When you can not straighten up. Best results I have found for this problem is the neurologist. I used to get shots in my lower back. I actually have some buldged disk in my lower back. Also that tends to make my knees worse.
I honestly believe that RA can effect you anywhere and everywhere. Back pain can be the worst. Very debilatating. You are correct in getting it checked out. Spine specialist are the hardest ortho to find sometimes. They are few and far between and so many people have back problems. Even those that do not have RA.
Do you hear the sound of your ligaments crunching. Yikes like fingernails on a chalk board? Sometimes when I turn a bit while sitting reaching for the romote or something innocent and I here that sound and feel that friction. Feels like my back is crumbleing. Makes me afraid to move.
At it's worst sitting down would send me into tremors. You sound to be very stiff. Muscle relaxers can be a good send with back issues also. Sorry you are flaring. I hope you get some answers soon.
I'm so sorry you're in such pain and flaring, Sam. I can't really offer any suggestions, other than gentle restorative yoga (with props like bolsters, pillows, folded cushions) is extremely helpful for my back pain. It also helps calm the central nervous system, which I feel helps with flares.
The best resource is a local yoga teacher who teaches gentle restoratives; alternatively there's a book called "Relax and Renew" by Judith Lasater. I also use "Yoga for Arthritis" by Ellen Fishman and Lauren Saltonstall. The latter helps with every joint system.
I hope you don't have AS and can get some relief soon.
Thanks for the well wishes, Milly and Green-Tara.
No, I don't hear crunching, but - hard to explain - I really dread turning my torso. Like backing out of a car space and looking both ways.....definitely restricted range of motion in the upper back. Plus swiveling the torso is the pits.
I checked with my cousin who is a physical therapist [3000 miles away, sadly] and she said that once the back orth surgeon puts a label on it and he clears me for exercise, that I should really consider the Mayo Clinic Staff's back exercises, taken from their CORE exercises. They use a modified form of this for patients who've had vertebraplasty [cementing of fractures, etc.]. I'm looking at some of these exercises - especially one they call the "cat stretch" and I'm thinking, no way! I honestly don't know how I'd ever be able to stand back up. LOL
Check it out:
Yes they used to have me do alot of excercises with a big ball. Some leg strengthening with weights ect. When the time is right. Sometimes pt sounds impossible. Have you ever tried a portable tens machine. They work great once you find the right setting.
I only like the portable ones. If I get them done by someone else they set them to high and it causes me to go into spasms. I like the slow and easy aproach for my back.
Yes, I'm a frequent flyer of physical therapy and TENS gadget is a mainstay. Hard to tell if it's doing anything when it's always used in conjunction with the hands-on therapy and exercises.
I always check the meter and slowly work up to a comfortable setting.
Lots of reviews, pro and con. I figure it can't hurt.
For those who don't know what it is:
Thanks for the link on those back exercises Sam, my back went out not long ago when I picked up my cat. I know I did some other things prior to that to aggravate the issue, but the kitty in need of a diet was the proverbial straw! I learned some similar stretches in PT years ago when I had a back issue and I try and stretch every day now. It seems I have problems when I skip the stretches... Waddie.
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