I don't know why I'm posting this here but hey ho - any advice appreciated.
After ending up in hospital over New Year with sudden severe back pain and spasms I've struggled since.
Had MRI last week and consultant has called with results to say I have Osteoarthritis of spine affected 5 or 6 vertebrae in lower back and neck.
As well as that, have a protusion of nerve which is mostly likely the cause of pain I'm feeling.
Waiting on GP to call as consultant wants to put me on some meds for nerve.
Other than that, been told that the Osteoarthritis is degenerative and will only get worse and not better. Has advised more exercise with lots of swimming and walking and avoiding heavy lifting or "extreme" activities. That, alongside physio to build strength in and around back muscles.
I've got a young lad who loves beach holidays, footie at the park, Alton Towers etc etc and just worried now that this is going to impact his childhood experiences as well.
Anyone got this and how do you find day to day activities? Can you still get to your favourite club and have a good session? Does precautions in the bedroom mean condom and a back brace now?
I'm half joking as just can't see past the "degenerative" or "avoid" parts of what consultant said.
I'm still processing and know there are positives and things could be a lot worse. Guess I just wanted to find out from other real people with similar "hobbies"  |
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By *ert999400Man 4 days ago
Glasgow/Edinburgh/Cardiff |
Low impact exercise, lose weight if you are overweight..as you know no cure, just pain management. What ever the doc prescribes. If they don't hit it. Ask for steroid injections. If you drink cut down on the units. Reduce caffeine intake. If you swim, then swimming is good exercise..I'm spinal cord injury and cannot walk, yet I have osteoarthritis in my left knee. I keep my self busy and that takes my mind off it. I have reduced the number of painkillers I take by personal choice. I take a sleeping tablet and painkillers at night. They help me get a good nights sleep.
You will get a lot of advice on here but the best advice does not come from strangers but from your doctor. He she should work with you to get the pain management right. Good luck. |
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My best friend has this. Your consultant is right about exercise. It's really important now for you to improve your core and muscles in your back, so your spine is supported. You will probably be referred to physio for a program of low impact exercises to do at home. If not ask for a referral. Personal trainers can help you in the gym as long as you tell them your problem and what you need to be achieving. Swimming is a fantastic low impact exercise for the spine.
There are also injections for the spine which are great for pain, talk to your consultant.
The nerve problem can be rectified with good physio and time.
Focus on making the best of your situation and working on things that will help you keep pain free, fit with optimum mobility. Do not rely solely on pain medication.
Think about your diet too.
Wishing you all the best. 🍀 |
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I have spinal stenosis for which I have had a titanium, coflex implant in my spine so not quite the same as you.
The only advice I'll give to anyone with spinal problems is listen to the experts and give acupuncture a go, it might not work but it sometimes does.
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"Your son may have a slightly different childhood than the one envisioned. But he has a clearly loving dad so he's already quids in. Just take care of yourself."
Thank you. I do try.
Maybe it's going to be different to the one I envisioned but he'll know no different - adapt and enjoy I guess.
I suppose I'm finding hard to process as he's been on at me to take him back to Alton Towers as example. To do the big rides he was too nervous to before. I was also looking forward to it but sounding like an unlikely activity now.
Thanks for comment though |
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"I'm in the same boat, 3 to 7 vertebrae in the lower back, can be painful just putting the socks on in the morning. "
That's definitely one of the things that I'm finding hard. Once out of bed and moving eventually, simple things like socks and shoes are just such an annoyance and taken for granted previously.
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"Low impact exercise, lose weight if you are overweight..as you know no cure, just pain management. What ever the doc prescribes. If they don't hit it. Ask for steroid injections. If you drink cut down on the units. Reduce caffeine intake. If you swim, then swimming is good exercise..I'm spinal cord injury and cannot walk, yet I have osteoarthritis in my left knee. I keep my self busy and that takes my mind off it. I have reduced the number of painkillers I take by personal choice. I take a sleeping tablet and painkillers at night. They help me get a good nights sleep.
You will get a lot of advice on here but the best advice does not come from strangers but from your doctor. He she should work with you to get the pain management right. Good luck."
Great, Thank you. I suppose I wasn't really after "medical advice" as such - just a steer on how someone in similar boat or with same condition has found things since diagnosed. Really appreciate your thoughts from your own experience.
I'll absolutely take on board what the specialists say and adapt where I can to move forward.
Do love a good coffee and a tipple on the weekends though.  |
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It's a bitch!!! Takes hubby 1 to 1.5hrs too get out of bed. He's got it in his shoulders and hips, he's in constant pain. It's so sad he was so strong now his muscles are wasting away and it's only getting worse, can't do most of the things we did even a few months ago.
Wish I could tell you it'll get better but it won't. Prepare yourself for it getting worse x |
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"My best friend has this. Your consultant is right about exercise. It's really important now for you to improve your core and muscles in your back, so your spine is supported. You will probably be referred to physio for a program of low impact exercises to do at home. If not ask for a referral. Personal trainers can help you in the gym as long as you tell them your problem and what you need to be achieving. Swimming is a fantastic low impact exercise for the spine.
There are also injections for the spine which are great for pain, talk to your consultant.
The nerve problem can be rectified with good physio and time.
Focus on making the best of your situation and working on things that will help you keep pain free, fit with optimum mobility. Do not rely solely on pain medication.
Think about your diet too.
Wishing you all the best. 🍀"
Thank you.
So many of those points were touched on by consultant call. It was quite quick and hard to take it all in when he'd just delivered the news "you have a degenerative disease"
Guess that's why I thought I'd try FAB Forum post as know we're a very wide cross section of types
This advice is great and maybe a kick up the arse to get exercise and diet in check. It's not been an easy past 18 months so both probably slipped a bit.
My exercise of choice before was running though. I don't think that's going to be on the cards now so might have to get the budgie smugglers back out and brave Brums public pools (I'm sorry for anyone who has to endure the sight).
I'm definitely not a fan of relying on pills etc so going to have to find a balance with specialists and maybe concede that they're needed for a reason. |
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"I have spinal stenosis for which I have had a titanium, coflex implant in my spine so not quite the same as you.
The only advice I'll give to anyone with spinal problems is listen to the experts and give acupuncture a go, it might not work but it sometimes does.
"
Wow!
That sounds like a hard core treatment so thoughts are with you.
This is still really fresh news so will definitely be guided/led by the medical professionals. I just wanted some thoughts and guidance from those who might have experience like yourself so really do appreciate your comments and advice. Thank you. |
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"It's a bitch!!! Takes hubby 1 to 1.5hrs too get out of bed. He's got it in his shoulders and hips, he's in constant pain. It's so sad he was so strong now his muscles are wasting away and it's only getting worse, can't do most of the things we did even a few months ago.
Wish I could tell you it'll get better but it won't. Prepare yourself for it getting worse x"
Awwwww maaaan... I'm so sorry. That really does sound shit and also what I'm dreading. The consultant did say it's not reversible and that could / would get worse unless taking action now to slow degeneration and improve strength.
I'm going to give it my best shot and my thoughts are with you and hubby - sounds horrible  |
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"I have spinal stenosis for which I have had a titanium, coflex implant in my spine so not quite the same as you.
The only advice I'll give to anyone with spinal problems is listen to the experts and give acupuncture a go, it might not work but it sometimes does.
Wow!
That sounds like a hard core treatment so thoughts are with you.
This is still really fresh news so will definitely be guided/led by the medical professionals. I just wanted some thoughts and guidance from those who might have experience like yourself so really do appreciate your comments and advice. Thank you. "
You're welcome.
People will give you all sorts of 'helpful' advice ranging from "sit up straight" to suggesting a concoction of supplements, smile and nod but take it all with a pinch of salt. Mr N has a similar problem to you. He's had laser surgery to cauterise the nerves, that lasted about two years.
Good luck with it all |
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