Hi Lovie - I'm not sure if it was you who has OA in the lower back.Hopefully for you it isnt but if it is could you give me some info on it.
He did order an MRI which only confirmed what he told me. Threatment hasn't changed really. My RA medications help the most; but I use muscle relaxers, heat......and tramadol on a regular basis. It's probable been the most troublesome problem RA has caused me to date.
Whats going on with your back? Have they dx'ed OA? What do you take for it? I'm guessing it's not helping?
I had an MRI on my back which shows normal wear and tear for a 42 year old.The was some degeneration and dehydration of discs which basically said it was early OA .I have been in excruciating pain for months in the lower back and hip area.If I stand for a few minutes I cant walk as it feels as if my back is breaking and I cant sit either.It affects my left leg(at the front) to the knee. The pain also seems to go into my lower stomach area as well. I am still on the Humira for my RA and for pain I take co-codamol . I did take tramadol but it made me really sick. I dont see my rheumy until may ( was august but think they feel sorry for me) the pain is a lot worse during my periods which had me wondering if it was connected.I think it probable could be related. I wish I had some magic ideas for you. There's not a day that passes that I don't have pain in my back; but some times are far worse than others. Sadly we get use to some of it; don't we?
About twice a year I can twist or turn the wrong way and WAHM!! It will drop me to my knees and I literally can not get up. For days I'll be in bed and need help just to stand. They think that's related to a buldging disk that I have and I do something that triggers it and it is horrible! Thank goodness that passes with in a few days and with in a week I'll be back to my normal routine.
Pin~IF you don't already have a prescription for a muscle relaxer you might want to ask your doctor about it. Honestly they are more helpful than pain killers.Thanks so much, I will ask my doc about muscle relaxersSorry to butt in but wanted to say that I take zanaflex, its a prescription muscle relaxer and I find it does help, although it made me sorts "drunk" feeling the first couple of times I took it, I don't seem to have any side effects now!Get an appt with your OB/Gyn....There is a disease called endometriosis. You can google it... It can and will cause excruciating pain in your low back and abdomen. It tends to follow your cycle, but doesn't necessarily. This can be very serious, as it causes scar tissue to form in places that it shouldn't, like around your bowels, on nerves,literally gluing things together, etc. I know! of what I speek! Been there, done that, got the hysterectomy!
I don't get that drunk feeling anymore either
I think you get use to them after a while. I take Flexirel (Surely spelled wrong) and I don't really think it's that strong......but it does seem to help.
And you're not butting in! We could use all the comments on this subject as we can get. I think this effects more of us than we realize.
HI,Pin cushion, I have very similar problems as you. My xrays indicated degenerative disc disease (DDD), which sounds like what you have. I too have much more pain in the time before my period. The reasons for mine are threefold -
I have a tipped uterus (always have) so when it gets into a heavier, premenstual state it presses against my spine,
I have uterine fibroids, which further aggravate the back pressue,
All my OA hurts more prior to my period, and even into the first few days of my period. My rheumy said that is very common - some sort of hormonal issue effecting the joints they don't fully understand.
I don't know if any of these make sense to you, but it would be worth exploring, as is the endometriosis that laurat mentioned. Heat is my savior when my back is really sore - I wear those heat belts that are good for about 8 hours around the clock, and it makes a huge difference.
I hope you can find some answers - and some relief! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.