Re: Orthopedic Surgeon Visit

[Guest guest]

Today was my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. At first I guess

it was a nurse who asked me lots of questions, even though I had come

with numerous forms filled out. Then I saw a PA, who explained a lot

of things to me. I was wondering why my back pain flares up sometimes

and then at other times does not bother me. She explained that the

nerve gets inflamed. I guess NSAID's would help if I could take them,

but since I've already had a bleeding ulcer, I can't. She also

mentioned prednisone, but since I have diabetes, I don't want to go

there again.

I had had my ex-rays sent to them, but they took some more. They

wanted ones while I was bending forward and backward. I guess that the

new ex-rays showed the same thing as the old ones did, that one of my

vertebra has slipped out of place because of degeneration, or

osteoarthritis. The disk space is narrowed as a result and presses on

the nerve.

I saw the orthopedic surgeon last, and he mentioned " spinal stenosis. "

He seemed to understand that I wanted something done about the

situation, saying, " You're here. " LOL. " Exactly, " I thought.

The next step is to get an MRI, that he said will reveal more about

the situation. After I get the MRI, I'll see him to see what kind of

action will be called for. He did mention the possibility of epidural

steroid shots.

Stan, have you had your back pain investigated? Mine has been going on

for at least four years, gradually getting worse.

Sue

On Jan 14, 2009, at 2:29 AM, stanpfister@... wrote:

>

> I have lower back pain issues as well, fortunately my RA has not

> affected it at all but I do worry about it constantly. I am a

> veteran of lower back pain with a bad disk and some twisted

> vertebrae. I am sincerely grateful the RA hasn't messed with that

> part of my body yet. The best and most effective thing I found for

> it was simply an ice pack, no more than twenty minutes at a time.

[Guest guest]

Hi...

I have had my back issue for twenty years, way before I was diagnosed with RA.

But I guess once I have my RA stabilized I should look into it. Currently I have

not had an major issue with it for more than two years. Coincidently about the

same time that I sat down in the living room and decided not to get up (ever

again!).

Stan,

Seattle, Cloudy

[Guest guest]

Stan, maybe I should try that strategy for my back, LOL. Of course

lately it has not been hurting at all. I told the doctor that he was

magic. But I don't want to have to give up traveling, and that's when

the pain has really given me a fit. Lately I've been kind of

hibernating, staying in bed till about 11, and I think it's helped the

pain. Fortunately, my RA is under super control with Enbrel.

Sue

On Jan 14, 2009, at 7:15 PM, stanpfister@... wrote:

> Hi...

>

> I have had my back issue for twenty years, way before I was

> diagnosed with RA. But I guess once I have my RA stabilized I should

> look into it. Currently I have not had an major issue with it for

> more than two years. Coincidently about the same time that I sat

> down in the living room and decided not to get up (ever again!).

>

> Stan,

> Seattle, Cloudy

[Guest guest]

I don't know if I am comfortable with traveling yet. The last trip I took was

right before being diagnosed, when I arrived at the hotel my right arm and hand

hurt so bad I literally could not grasp a pencil. That was before we knew what

was going on. Thus far my Rheumatologist is optomistic that I will be fine on

MTX only. I don't know why, but if anything is going to go wrong with your body

or health it seems like it wants to do it on a trip, exactly when you don't want

it to! Right now I feel it's my Rheumatologists job to keep me pain free on a

daily basis and I feel on average she as done fairly well with that. But she

promised me the moon and stars, I was gonna build bridges, climb mountains, move

faster than a speeding bullet. In actuality, I'm lucky to make it up the stairs

with a bag of groceries. So remember, a good friend will help you move, a great

friend will help you move a body. I threw that in because upon review I've

decided not to submit this paragraph to the Pulit

zer Committee.

Stan

Seattle, Cloudy but above freezing.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: Sue Plaster <marysue@...>

Stan, maybe I should try that strategy for my back, LOL. Of course

lately it has not been hurting at all. I told the doctor that he was

magic. But I don't want to have to give up traveling, and that's when

the pain has really given me a fit. Lately I've been kind of

hibernating, staying in bed till about 11, and I think it's helped the

pain. Fortunately, my RA is under super control with Enbrel.

Sue

On Jan 14, 2009, at 7:15 PM, stanpfister@... wrote:

> Hi...

>

> I have had my back issue for twenty years, way before I was

> diagnosed with RA. But I guess once I have my RA stabilized I should

> look into it. Currently I have not had an major issue with it for

> more than two years. Coincidently about the same time that I sat

> down in the living room and decided not to get up (ever again!).

>

> Stan,

> Seattle, Cloudy