Question about arthritis in the spine - Page 2

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@Mom2Dogs I am 61 and I have OA. Have had both knees and both hips replaced. About a year ago started having neck, upper back and arm pain with weakness. An MRI of the neck shows stenosis of the cervical spine( upper)... I choose to live with it for now and do PT to deal with the pain. No shots or drugs or surgery. Just herbs And Tylenol when needed.

usually this condition does not get better in time.... it is part of the aging process.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
I did ask quite a few questions while trying to take in everything that he said....I thought of a few things once I got home. I was given a LOT of information in a short time frame.

I have a notebook that I am writing questions in so I am ready next appointment but that will not be until sometime in mid November.

@Mom2Dogs

I am not sure exactly what type of shot you got in your spine. What I got years ago was called a Caudal Block, which was given in my tailbone, but was not for temporary relief. For many, it was a long lasting type of anesthesia for back and sciatic nerve.

My spinal arthritis is in all the locations were my 3 lumbar discs were removed, mainly these 2. The L-5/S-1, which is the lower part of the spine. Arthritis is pretty much inevitable after spinal surgery. I also have it around the L-3 area, which also ruptured and was removed.

Getting older did/does not effect my flexibility or mobility 95% of the time. On rare occasions I do tak bit much easier when I feel a little stiff? I have been a stretching and flexibility advocate going back to the early 1970's. It sure has paid off for me. I was a hockey ref for over 30 years, and ran well over 100+ miles every month, no major pains or problems.

My nephew is an Anesthesiologist who owns several Pain Clinics. Unfortunately each patient responds differenly for an untold number of reasons. One thing I do know about my arthritic riddled body(especially my fingers) is this.

The more movement I keep doing, along with specific exercises, the less pain I feel and the more flexibility I maintain. Since my colon bleeds, I take no pain meds at all. The strongest I ever take on occasion is a 500mg Tylenol tablet, and that is very seldom. My activity is much more important than my chronological age in regards to any and all "itis".

I hope this shot helps with your pain. Who prescribed this shot for you?

hckynut(john)

jlkz · ‎12-02-2013

@Kachina624

Can't imagine what it would be like to be in constant pain. I am so sorry that you are dealing with this condition.

Now, I won't complain when I get up from a chair or out of the car and have to walk through 5 minutes or so of pain from the heel spurs. I will count my blessings from now on.

thank you for putting this stuff in perspective.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Kachina624...there is surgery for arthritis of the spine?

@Jacie, The doctor did tell me to keep moving...my pain is the worst in the morning..turning over in bed at night is also painful. Once I am up and moving I feel much better. I do have trouble lifting at work..so my husband has been doing deliveries that I used to do........

@Mom2Dogs No, but most people seem to end up with multiple issues like stenosis and problems with discs and those conditions can sometimes be held with surgery.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@hckynut....I have not had the shot yet.....today was my first appt. with the pain doctor. He reviewed my MRI and we talked about my pain and he had me do a couple of tests to see how I could turn, twist, push back on his hands, etc.

The shot is only temorary roughly a 2 hour window. It is to determine IF the arthritis or the spinal stenosis --bulging disk is causing my pain. If the pain is gone or much relieved after the shot then the doctor will know it is the arthritis causing the pain. The shot is for a diagnosis.

...wishing you pain free days!

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@SeaMaiden...we are the same age. I know nothing about arthritis so I am a little overwhelmed by all this information. Generally I am not a worrier and I am not going to start now, ha!

It sounds like arthrtis spreads or progresses thru the body, is that correct? Currently I am only having back issues....I hope I don't jump to conclusions if I get aches in other parts of my body!!

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@SeaMaiden...we are the same age. I know nothing about arthritis so I am a little overwhelmed by all this information. Generally I am not a worrier and I am not going to start now, ha!

It sounds like arthrtis spreads or progresses thru the body, is that correct? Currently I am only having back issues....I hope I don't jump to conclusions if I get aches in other parts of my body!!

@Mom2Dogs Inflammation is a major cause in arthritis(as well as many other diseases into body). I suggest you start taking Zyflamend by New Chapter. It is an excellent herbal formula to calm down inflammation.

ALRATIBA · ‎07-15-2016

Learn to live with it!

I was diagnosed a little more than three years ago - just prior to my 71st birthday. Arthritis in right hip and spine and degenerative disk disease.

.

I was sent to physical therapy for a few weeks, and learned exercises and movements to do each day - and what kinds of exercises I should avoid. And told to do plenty of walking - which is really easy since I live in NYC and walk everywhere.

I take Tylenol for pain ... usualy only when weather is damp. In three years - I feel better today than I did before I learned to manage it.

Attitude is important. If you grumble and complain - you'll no doubt feel worse and make the people around you miserable too. Grin and bear it!

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

This is what was explained to me by my back doctor - I don't know if this is just the type of arthritis I have or if this is what everyone has but here goes. At the level of each vertebrae there is a joint called the facet joint which allows the back to move and ultimately allows you to move. Of course, like all joints there is cartilage in those facet joints and over time it can and does deteriorate and that is called facet joint syndrome. The only thing they can do for me is a possible fusion but that would be a temporary solution to the problem as it would cause further joints to deteriorate etc etc. The good thing is - what I have, while it is painful - like all arthritis - it does not usually cause any severe compression of any nerves so I do occasionally get pain in my hip or down my leg or across the sciatica but it is transient and usually relieved by moving around. For the actual arthritis pain I can only take tylenol due to kidney issues so I take 2 regular strength tylenol in the morning when I am very sore and stiff and that is it. I keep active walking or swimming and doing water aerobics. When it is bad - usually due to over doing or weather - I have to use a cane. I see in myself that I am growing weaker as the years pass but for now at least, I do ok once my morning tylenol kicks in I can start to move better, do light housework and get to the pool and go shopping and church (but I never kneel anymore ever) and out to eat or a show with DH, so I am ok with it.

halfpint1 · ‎03-10-2010

I CAN'T tell you much' I had an operation on my back. The pain doctor said he couldn't do anything for me so he sent me to a surgeon. I was told they got the arthritis out. Don't understand for dummy me I didn't ask much. I don't have t he pain in my legs anymore. Only thing my back hip hurts occasionally. Probably due to sitting and a too soft mattress. Prescription pain medicine never did anything for me th en. I had tro uble sitting up to get out of bed. Now if I have some pain I take Aleve which seems to help. The only thing is I can't take a bath for I would never be able to get o ut of the tub. I miss soaking for I hate showers.