Re: Judi--AS

[Guest guest]

Judi,

The reason you try not to stay on your feet is that it causes pressure on

the spine and you end up hurting more. The same is true for sitting. You need

to sit on a well-padded seat (not yours! lolol) - egg crate pillows are the

best.

That also prevents too much pressure on your spine. And you're also supposed to

do core muscle work and work on your posture. Those are hard, and I'd recommend

asking your Dr. for a script for physical therapy.

Most RA meds will also help AS.

Another thing that can happen is that as the bones get inflamed, they can

cause pressure on either the spinal cord or on the disks. Both are very

painful.

Meds that help relax the nerves can help with this. I use valium, very

sparingly.

I'm happy to hear that MS is not what you have.

Love,

Dix

[ ] Dixie--AS

Dix,

Thanks for your description of AS. When I had xrays of my back

recently, the neurologist mentioned that, but said I " probably

wouldn't have to worry about it for a long time. " He said that I

have arthritis of the spine, with some degeneration, and suggested

that I try not to spend a lot of time on my feet but he didn't go

into much detail about AS and I didn't give it much thought either.

At the time I was just elated because he had thought I had MS, and

had just told me that my symptoms were more consistent with " small

fiber neuropathy " than MS, which made me so happy that was all I

could hear!

Judi

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Dix!

He started me on the PT for my back right away. I have to do an easy

course of it since too much exercise sends me into a Dercum flare,

but the gentle exercise does feel good. I have a set of stretches to

do at home every day now, and I do mine while Ron does his. The cat

just sits and watches us like a tennis match. (sometimes we break for

a quick smooch)

Today I get to go back to aquatherapy--I've missed it as the

instructor cancelled classes for nearly 3 weeks--she had eye surgery,

then she took a vacation, then something else. I complained that

they need to have a backup for her but I don't think they're

listening. Anyway, that warm water is going to feel good--they may

have to drag me kicking and screaming out of the pool!

I imagine the Topamax probably serves to relax my nerves, and I'm on

300 mg a day now. Talk about sticker shock--when I picked up the

prescription Friday: $349! Well, maybe it relaxes my nerves...

Peace,

Judi