Re: R.A. and Narrowing of Vertabrae

[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry to hear about your back pain beth. I'm curious as to why you quit the methotrexate therapy. I'm not sure about the relationship of your lower back and your RA, as most of the literature indicates the upper spine (neck) is most frequently involved. I review spine surgery cases as part of my job (I'm a medical review nurse for an insurance company). Is it the actually bony vertebrae that are narrowing or the spaces between them (indicating a degenerative disc disease problem)? Degenerative disc disease can occur at very young ages. There are treatments for your condition, if that gives you any hope. I hope your doctor is sending you to a neurosurgeon for further follow up. I'll keep you in my prayers and wish you well. Sandy

From: "beth Grace Thiessen"

Reply-Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: R.A. and Narrowing of Vertabrae Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 04:24:50 -0000

I have just recently gone to a new dr. and had xrays taken of my back and neck. I have a pinched nervein my lower back and it has been getting worse since i quit methotrexate injection therapy. He said the vertabrae are narrowing and putting pressure on my nerves which is why my leg gives out on my sometimes, like it dies or dissappears. He is getting a specialist to look at the x-rays and I will get the results in a couple of weeks. I have only had R.A. for a few years now and it just seems to get worse every year. Has anyone had this problem with their spine and if so what is or was the outcome. My Dr. said he had never seen anything like this before in such a young woman...I am almost 32. Any input would be helpful as well as reassurrance. I am currently only on Anti Inflammitory Therapy right now. Thank you

[Guest guest]

---I have been told I have a condition called RSD, which is Reflex

Sympathetic Dystrophy, which from what I was able to find out is

damage to the sympathet immune system (also another autoimmune

disease. However, I have been told there is nothing that can be done

as surgery could make things only worse and I don't want to take that

chance. However, I know there are several web sites that explain it

to you, but my mind is asleep and I cant remember the exact sites,

but you should be able to just search under RSD to get results.

In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " beth Grace Thiessen "

<egt1971@h...> wrote:

> I have just recently gone to a new dr. and had xrays taken of my

> back and neck. I have a pinched nervein my lower back and it has

> been getting worse since i quit methotrexate injection therapy. He

> said the vertabrae are narrowing and putting pressure on my nerves

> which is why my leg gives out on my sometimes, like it dies or

> dissappears. He is getting a specialist to look at the x-rays and

I

> will get the results in a couple of weeks. I have only had R.A.

for

> a few years now and it just seems to get worse every year.

> Has anyone had this problem with their spine and if so what is or

> was the outcome. My Dr. said he had never seen anything like this

> before in such a young woman...I am almost 32. Any input would be

> helpful as well as reassurrance. I am currently only on Anti

> Inflammitory Therapy right now.

> Thank you