Back pain

[Guest guest]

Hi Robbin,

I hope likes the water therapy program (seems like most of the kids do) and that she gets some positive physical benefits from participating. Is it done one on one, or in a group setting? Sorry to hear about the active arthritis in both of her wrists ... and that her asthma has still been active. I sure hope that improves soon and that she also gets some relief from the braces.

Aloha,

Georgina

[Guest guest]

Hello all-

This is not exactly on this subject, but the water therapy prompted me to

think about this. Maybe it has been discussed here before I was a subscriber

to the list. My daughter has a water bed and I think that it has helped

alot. It is comfortable to the joints and you can regulate the heat so it

can help with morning stiffness. Meg only has pauci so I don't know how much

it would benefit someone with a lot of joints involved. I read about it when

we first found out--about 5 yrs ago and she's had the bed for a about 3 yrs

or so.

Debby (mom to Meg 12 y.o. pauci)

[Guest guest]

Debby

we didnt go get melissa a waterbed the aquatic therapy is what i am doing

with her

its hard getting into the program cause of the age thing

water is the best for this the PT and OT said

and its fun for them

Robbin

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have AIH, and Autoimmune Cholantgitis, and I too have the same type of back pain, it feels like it is in my spine, it hurts to touch it and I have been on oxycodone for about 3 months and that is the only thing that relieves it, my doctors too don't know what is causing it. Please keep in touch, maybe we can get answers to help each other. I know how you feel, not knowing what the cause is , is very frustrating and worrisome. The way you describe it, it sounds like what I have.

Hope you get answers and help soon!

Ruth

<rthornton@...> wrote:

I just read the posts on back pain, around the first of the month. I can't believe it!! I have been having severe back pain since April. It used to come and go, like I was having an "attack" of something, but now it is there every day. It varies in intensity, however. My pain is smack in the middle, kind of low thoracic area just below the rib cage. Sometimes it radiates outward along the sides (both), but this worst is always in the middle. IT is not muscular pain, and feels like either something inside is inflamed or it is in my spine.I have had CT scan, MRI, barium swallow...all normal. The docs are starting to treat me like a hypochondriac, which is so annoying, isn't it? I do have a good internist who takes me seriously (he has known me longer and knows I am not just a "complainer"), but he says he just doesn't know the cause. I must say that I am glad that I am not the only one...although quite sorry you all have pain!I have lots of symptoms that frighten me. So far, just diagnosed with AIH (DEC 2001), but I fear there is a connective tissue disease brewing. I have lots of gurgling in my stomach, pain in toes and fingers, and strange tingling/burning in my hands, feet and face (lips, nose, cheeks). Rheumy blood tests show only ANA and ASMA, all consistent with AIH....so the docs say stop worrying. Ok, how in the world do you all stop worrying???? That is the part I am having trouble with these days. I can take the pain, it is worrying about the cause that gets me.Well, thanks for listening. I think I just needed to talk about this with some people who understand. Most days I feel pretty good, but some days the emotional stress gets to me. You know, "sick and tired of being sick and tired"!

[Guest guest]

This sounds like me too Ruth ...almost exactly...

jerry

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone ... Just a few words about my back pain .... Due to a neck and head injury ,I have been seeing a pt....This last week she found that my back is doing a "domino" effect .My pins and needles in the arms and legs are caused by the facet dysfunction and it is getting worse because of injury... She has taught me a lot of exercises to help reduce some of the pain , but she also feels that the rh has some to do with the knees , ankles and wrists ... She is compiling a report for my primary dr and the rheumetologist ...My primary is going to get with these two drs and find out the best for me ....My hepatologist will also be in the loop....I have found for the first time a group of drs not in the same practice who are willing to work together with me and each other ....I feel confident that they are looking out for me and I hope that each person reading this talks to there main dr and make sure whomever he/she sends you to that they are in your boat with you to steer the right path .....take care ..It has taken me 4 yrs and many drs to get to this point and I wasnt dx with aih til 3/2002......take care karen in chas

[Guest guest]

> I woke up two days ago feeling like someone hit me between the

> shoulder blades with a sledge hammer. I have had lots of lower

back

> pain in the past, but never in this area. Is this my PA or a

virus?

> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It hurts to chew

food

> even! Ks. Di

PA is in the same place in my back, it's in my neck and lower back

also. I'm newly diagnosed and my rhuemy wants to talk to me about

this more next time. I know from my own research that PA can cause

spondylitis(spelling?), which is arthritis in the back, it can cause

alot of inflamation, one certain type called ankylosing spondylitis

can actually cause your vertabrae to fuse together. There has been

alot of posts about PA and back pain, maybe try looking in the

archives.

Mine actually has caused my ribs to hurt, so don't be surprised if

this happens also, I sincerely hope it doesn't. I will be sure to

post about my visit with the rhuemy next week. By the way I'm taking

bextra,had a steriod shot, and flexeril and all of these combined

have helped alot. I hope you are feeling better soon!

---Merribeth

[Guest guest]

May be both. A lot of people are getting sick before the winter season.

My right elbow hurts, I had 3 operations on it and I painted my bathroom the

other day...

Hope you feel better }

[Guest guest]

I, too, am up most nights with either back/hip pain or

knee pain - or some nights, both! I have the most

wonderful recliner and I find that if I take Percocet

and get in my chair, very often I can get some sleep.

Sam

--- mobeewy <mobee@...> wrote:

<HR>

<html><body>

<tt>

Hi everyone...<BR>

I am up again in the middle of the night because of

back-pain. & nbsp; My <BR>

hips and my back are really bothering me

tonight. & nbsp; So much that I <BR>

think I am needing to call into work sick

tomorrow. & nbsp; Is this normal, <BR>

has anyone else who has PA experienced this. & nbsp; I

have only had it <BR>

since May. & nbsp; I am on methtrexate and

celebrex. & nbsp; Also my Rhumy has <BR>

given me pain pills. & nbsp; I want relief.<BR>

Also, is there a way to chat like IM to others who

have this??? How <BR>

do you do that? & nbsp; Thanks for letting me

vent. & nbsp; :{<BR>

<BR>

------------<BR>

Moderator note: If ur up u can add me to IM as

Beardies4<BR>

I understand the hips keeping u awake. Either I need

to take more anti-inflammatories or pain meds to get

to sleep. PatB<BR>

<BR>

</tt>

<br>

<tt>

Please visit our Psoriatic Arthritis Group's

informational web page at:<BR>

<a

href= " http://www.wpunj.edu/pa/ " >http://www.wpunj.edu/pa/</a>

-- created and edited by list member

aka(raharris@...). <BR>

<BR>

In August 2001 list member Jack

aka(Cornishpro@...) began to conduct extensive

research which he publishes as the Psoriatic Arthritic

Research Newsletter monthly in our emails and digest

format. Many thanks to Jack. Back issues of the

newsletter are stored on our PA webpage. <BR>

<BR>

Also remember that the list archives comprise a

tremendous amount of information (Over two years of

messages and answers).Feel free to browse them at your

convenience.<BR>

<BR>

Let's hear from some of you lurkers out there! If you

have a comment or question chances are there is a

person who has been around a while who can help you

out with an educated guess for an answer. If not we

can at least steer you in the right direction with a

good website to go to for the answers. <BR>

<BR>

Blessings and Peace, <BR>

<BR>

Atwood-Stack, Founder<BR>

Alan , Web & amp; List Editor<BR>

Jack , Newsletter Editor<BR>

Pat Bias, List Editor<BR>

Ron Dotson, List Editor<BR>

and many others who help moderate (thank you!)<BR>

</tt>

<br>

<br>

<tt>

[Guest guest]

You can IM me as witsense, please identify yourself as a PA group member,,, I

don't usually talk to folks I don't know, Deborah

[Guest guest]

I too suffer from back pain..some times worse than others. When your

back starts feeling better, there are exercises you can do to help

stretch it out before going to bed. Your Dr. should have pamphlets

that he can give you, give him a call and see. Also a suggestion, you

might want to try sleeping in a recliner. I love my recliner. I'll

never be without one again for I sleep in it more than I do my bed.

It helps not only my back, but my shoulders, neck, arms and feet. I

usually wake up less stiff and better rested. (I've missed very

little work since I started doing this a couple years ago!)

I also take MTX and Vioxx and pain meds when tylenol doesn't control

the pain.

If you do a search and put in 'back exercises' there are several

sites that can give you an idea of some you might want to try. Be

careful not to 'cause yourself pain...find the ones that provide

relief.

Good luck...

> Hi everyone...

> I am up again in the middle of the night because of back-pain. My

> hips and my back are really bothering me tonight. So much that I

> think I am needing to call into work sick tomorrow. Is this

normal,

> has anyone else who has PA experienced this. I have only had it

> since May. I am on methtrexate and celebrex. Also my Rhumy has

> given me pain pills. I want relief.

> Also, is there a way to chat like IM to others who have this??? How

> do you do that? Thanks for letting me vent. :{

>

> ------------

> Moderator note: If ur up u can add me to IM as Beardies4

> I understand the hips keeping u awake. Either I need to take more

anti-inflammatories or pain meds to get to sleep. PatB

[Guest guest]

Jayesh,

I have problems with sleeping also. For one thing, I have carpal tunnel in

both wrists, so I have to wear wrist splints at night which are cumbersome. I

also have a bad right shoulder that flares up with bursitis and tendinitis,

and I have a hard time lying down on that side because I can't lay my arm

down all the way. I generally have alot of hand and arm, neck and shoulder

pain, back pain, and hip, knee and ankle foot pain and especially at night. I

transcribe documents all day, and from sitting and using my my computer and

hands to type, my body is just one big pain. I have found that If I use a

body pillow at night, that is very helpful. You can lie on your side and hug

it. It helps keeps your shoulders, arms, back and legs supported. I also use

2 pillows under my head to support my neck, but I want to get one of those

memory pillows that support your neck (you know, those ones made out of the

special space-age foam that conforms to you own shape). They're pretty

spendy, but worth the price. They also sell mattresses made out of the same

stuff, but then you're talking some cash. My dream someday. The one thing I

had to learn to do was rollover in bed with the pillow. I just kind of clamp

the pillow with my legs and scooch in the direction I want to go until I get

rolled over (kind of like a beached whale). ;0)

Anyway, I take methocarbamol (Robaxin) which is a muscle relaxant and

temazepam (Restoril) which is a sleep aid. I also take Bendryl at night for

my allergies. This combination helps my muscles and tendons relax and helps

me get to sleep and stay asleep most of the time.

Hope this helps.

Carol in Vancouver, Washington USA

In a message dated 2/15/03 1:43:08 PM Pacific Standard Time, jays25@...

writes:

> ..i havent slept since last 2

> months..I getup in morning only to find i m more tired than i was at

> previous night... someof u who r experiencing pain in SI must b

> knowing how difficult it is to adjust yrself while sleeping..firstly,

> one cant sleep on back... has to sleep sideways.. but one cant sleep

> on one side for 8 hours so when i try to change from right to left

> side or vice-versa it pains to such an extent that i cant help

> feelign that i m being punished by god for some sin.. It pains like

> naything but no pain killers r working for me....i guess coz of

> sleeping on on single position all night long, i m getting a back

> pain since past on week..pain is there on the right side of spine

> where as SI pain is on left leg....I just hope this back pain in not

> PA.....

> Can somebody help me knowing abt soem sleeping positions in such

> painfull moments ?

>

> thanks a lot coz i know this group will never let me down

>

> jayesh

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jayesh, sorry to hear about your back. I have two firm king size pillows that I

use to ease my back and shoulders when in bed. I put one up against my back

length way and the other in front of me. I can change to a variety of positions

without actually turning over all the time. I can hug it with my arms in a

variety of angles to ease my shoulders and I can roll slightly forward or

backward to change pressure points from head to foot. It takes a bit of getting

used to but I wouldn't get much sleep without them.

Good luck to you, Cheri

[ ] Back pain

Hi everybody,

I have severe PA pain in SI joint and sometimes it radiates around

groin, sometimes around hips... I had same pain 15 months back...I m

on MTX(6th week) and frm my past experiences it has worked for me by

this time (by 6tk week) but this time it really isnt showing any

results... and no pain killers r working for me...I have taken Voveran

(diclofenac), Inmecin and now my rheumy is asking me to go for

Wysolene(Steriod) which i dont want to, since as per my dermy it can

flareup psoariasis on skin....I had severe psoariaiss flare up czo of

wysolene...right now i just have psoariasis on scalp and in some

nails.. but I just cant stand this pain..i havent slept since last 2

months..I getup in morning only to find i m more tired than i was at

previous night... someof u who r experiencing pain in SI must b

knowing how difficult it is to adjust yrself while sleeping..firstly,

one cant sleep on back... has to sleep sideways.. but one cant sleep

on one side for 8 hours so when i try to change from right to left

side or vice-versa it pains to such an extent that i cant help

feelign that i m being punished by god for some sin.. It pains like

naything but no pain killers r working for me....i guess coz of

sleeping on on single position all night long, i m getting a back

pain since past on week..pain is there on the right side of spine

where as SI pain is on left leg....I just hope this back pain in not

PA.....

Can somebody help me knowing abt soem sleeping positions in such

painfull moments ?

thanks a lot coz i know this group will never let me down

jayesh

[Guest guest]

I have one of the memory pillows. Works great for the neck but I have jaw

problems so it can aggregate that. You can buy a brand new one off of E-bay

for real cheap. I spent 20 bucks for mine ( plus shipping). Came in a box

with shrink wrap and everything! I would kill for one of the pads too. I

did get one of the egg crate pads for my bed. Although it isn't memory foam

it helps some. Also, putting a pillow between your legs can relieve lower

back pain. I can't sleep without one at all. Sleeping can be almost

impossible when it is extremely painful to lay down. I had problems with my

sciatic nerve before too so I know exactly what you are talking about.

Ensuring that you have a soft surface to sleep on (be it mattress pads or

pillows to position yourself) will help.

take care,

Re: [ ] Back pain

> Jayesh,

> I have problems with sleeping also. For one thing, I have carpal tunnel in

> both wrists, so I have to wear wrist splints at night which are

cumbersome. I

> also have a bad right shoulder that flares up with bursitis and

tendinitis,

> and I have a hard time lying down on that side because I can't lay my arm

> down all the way. I generally have alot of hand and arm, neck and shoulder

> pain, back pain, and hip, knee and ankle foot pain and especially at

night. I

> transcribe documents all day, and from sitting and using my my computer

and

> hands to type, my body is just one big pain. I have found that If I use a

> body pillow at night, that is very helpful. You can lie on your side and

hug

> it. It helps keeps your shoulders, arms, back and legs supported. I also

use

> 2 pillows under my head to support my neck, but I want to get one of those

> memory pillows that support your neck (you know, those ones made out of

the

> special space-age foam that conforms to you own shape). They're pretty

> spendy, but worth the price. They also sell mattresses made out of the

same

> stuff, but then you're talking some cash. My dream someday. The one thing

I

> had to learn to do was rollover in bed with the pillow. I just kind of

clamp

> the pillow with my legs and scooch in the direction I want to go until I

get

> rolled over (kind of like a beached whale). ;0)

>

> Anyway, I take methocarbamol (Robaxin) which is a muscle relaxant and

> temazepam (Restoril) which is a sleep aid. I also take Bendryl at night

for

> my allergies. This combination helps my muscles and tendons relax and

helps

> me get to sleep and stay asleep most of the time.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Carol in Vancouver, Washington USA

>

> In a message dated 2/15/03 1:43:08 PM Pacific Standard Time,

jays25@...

> writes:

>

> > ..i havent slept since last 2

> > months..I getup in morning only to find i m more tired than i was at

> > previous night... someof u who r experiencing pain in SI must b

> > knowing how difficult it is to adjust yrself while sleeping..firstly,

> > one cant sleep on back... has to sleep sideways.. but one cant sleep

> > on one side for 8 hours so when i try to change from right to left

> > side or vice-versa it pains to such an extent that i cant help

> > feelign that i m being punished by god for some sin.. It pains like

> > naything but no pain killers r working for me....i guess coz of

> > sleeping on on single position all night long, i m getting a back

> > pain since past on week..pain is there on the right side of spine

> > where as SI pain is on left leg....I just hope this back pain in not

> > PA.....

> > Can somebody help me knowing abt soem sleeping positions in such

> > painfull moments ?

> >

> > thanks a lot coz i know this group will never let me down

> >

> > jayesh

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good Morning All, I am usually a lurker occasionally

interjecting an opinion. I can certainly understand

you back pain and not being able to sleep. I have L4,

L5 and S1 core nerve and arthritic involvement. The

pain can be unbearable. I saw someone mentioned

oxycotin - for me this was the only thing to take away

the pain. I took 20 mg twice a day of the time release

pills and the doctor also gave me oxycotin immediate

release for break through pain. I took this for two

months. In the interim I had two epidurals which

lucky for me worked and I was able to be weaned off of

the oxycotin (not fun). I have had only one relapse of

the pain in 8 months and immediately the doc put me on

muscle relaxers and doubled my anti-inflammatories.

It was gone in two weeks. Many doctors do not

like to prescribe the oxycotin. I am very lucky I have

a doc that believes in pain management. My last one

did not.

As for the memory foam mattress, if you can afford it

do it. I invested on one about a year and a half ago

and it is the best money I ever spent.

Good Luck and hope you get some relief

Jill

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/16/2003 2:40:26 AM Eastern Standard Time,

cacombe@... writes:

> The one thing I

> had to learn to do was rollover in bed with the pillow. I just kind of

> clamp

> the pillow with my legs and scooch in the direction I want to go until I

> get

> rolled over (kind of like a beached whale). ;0)

That is the same way I turn over in bed. I have a bad back and get terrible

spasms in bed and my knees ache so much that I turn the same way.

Janet

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/17/2003 2:34:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,

puddinpanda2002@... writes:

> As for the memory foam mattress, if you can afford it

> do it

Do you know how I can find out about this or where it is sold?

Janet

[Guest guest]

Janet,

You can look on the web. It's called a Tempur-Pedic or memory foam mattress.

I have also seen advertisements on T.V. Apparently, there are some knock-offs

out there also, and you can compare prices. Whether they work the same, I

don't know.

The mattresses are available in sizes from rollup pads to twin-size

mattresses up to king-size.

My girlfriend has a memory foam seat pad that she uses at work to sit on

while she transcribes, as she has sciatica. I tried out her seat pad myself,

and it is very, very comfortable. It just really molds to the shape of you

butt. When you get back up, it goes right back to its original shape. It's

really quite cool. She paid about $80.00 for it at the drug store, so I'm

assuming that it the name-brand Tempur-Pedic foam pad.

Hope this helps.

Carol in Vancouver, Washington

In a message dated 2/17/03 10:05:16 AM Pacific Standard Time, fam24@...

writes:

> In a message dated 2/17/2003 2:34:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> puddinpanda2002@... writes:

>

> >As for the memory foam mattress, if you can afford it

> >do it

>

> Do you know how I can find out about this or where it is sold?

> Janet

>

[Guest guest]

<A

HREF= " http://www.memoryfoam.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY & Store_Code=bed\

s6 & Category_Code=4T " >memoryfoam.com: 4 " Toppers</A>

I found this site that has memory foam mattress toppers that you put on top

of your regular mattress. They have 2, 3 and 4 inch toppers. Does anyone

have one of this and know which thickness would be the best?

[Guest guest]

I saw a brand new memory foam 4 " mattress pad (king size) with 3 pillows on

www.ebay.com for $256.00. I'm gonna get one!

Re: [ ] Back pain

> In a message dated 2/17/2003 2:34:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> puddinpanda2002@... writes:

>

> > As for the memory foam mattress, if you can afford it

> > do it

>

> Do you know how I can find out about this or where it is sold?

> Janet

>

>

[Guest guest]

> <A HREF= " http://www.memoryfoam.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?

Screen=CTGY & Store_Code=beds6 & Category_Code=4T " >memoryfoam.com: 4 "

Toppers</A>

>

> I found this site that has memory foam mattress toppers that you

put on top of your regular mattress. They have 2, 3 and 4 inch

toppers. Does anyone have one of this and know which thickness

would be the best?

These synthetic foams decompose slowly and produce formaldehyde gas

as a result. You breathe this in as you sleep. It is bad for you.

Only use foam made from natural rubber.

Hank

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/20/2003 4:41:55 PM Eastern Standard Time,

hank@... writes:

> Only use foam made from natural rubber.

>

> Hank

Hi Hank,

Do you know what brand is made from natural rubber?

Janet

[Guest guest]

I used to have a thin layered mattress topper that was very comfortable, but a

little sweaty. I bought a thick one and sweat so much I had to remove it.

There was no air coming through the mattress. Of course, it could be my

menopausal hot flashes - J

Re: [ ] Back pain

<A

HREF= " http://www.memoryfoam.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY & Store_Code=bed\

s6 & Category_Code=4T " >memoryfoam.com: 4 " Toppers</A>

I found this site that has memory foam mattress toppers that you put on top

of your regular mattress. They have 2, 3 and 4 inch toppers. Does anyone

have one of this and know which thickness would be the best?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/20/2003 9:01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time,

ljtexas@... writes:

> . Of course, it could be my menopausal hot flashes - J

I also sweat at night. I better stick to a thin mattress.

Janet

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/21/2003 8:24:02 PM Eastern Standard Time,

hank@... writes:

>

> You have to ask. None of the memory foam is natural rubber.

That is not what I meant. I wanted to know if you knew what was good to buy

other then memory foam.

Janet