RA + Back Issues Connection

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I am trying to understand how the problems I have with my back are

different than the RA I have everywhere else. I have the typical

traveling joint inflamation and exhaustion that goes with RA and

take MTX, Folic Acid, Prednisone, and Remicade infusions that keep

things going with many less pain dominated days than I used to have.

I also have degenerative disk disease, bulging disks, narrowing

space for the nerves to travel, facet arthropathy, spondylosis and

had a laminectomy and diskectomy at L5-S1.

So, I am trying to lower my prednisone and have been handling it

pretty well with 3 week intervals between lowering the dose. I am

going from 10mg to 7.5 mg right now and expected the joint pain to

reappear but in addition I am getting a lot of debilitating back

pain returning. I have been told by my old and new rheumy that they

are two totally separate issues but I don't really understand how

they are different. Why are they so sure I don't have RA in the

joints in my back? My newest MRI shows advancing facet arthopathy

and nerve space narrowing but no new disk issues.

I know quite a few of you have back problems along with your RA. Do

you understand the realtionship? Do the meds for one help the other?