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Low back pain anyone?

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Posted 3/9/2012 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering if anyone struggles with low back pain? Just above the tailbone, at the base of the spine? Since I have gone off of prednisone, I have noticed I have low back pain just above my tailbone and it is worse when I sit or lie down? I don't notice it too much when I am walking around or standing. At that point it is reduced to more of a pressure. I have had it for a couple of weeks now and I have Vicodin on hand and it doesn't seem to help at all. I haven't hurt myself in any way, so I am at a loss for what it could be! I'm wondering if anyone else suffers with this type of pain? and if so is it RA related?

Thanks in advance!

Posted 3/9/2012 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Yup got the same or similar pain, but my rheumy tells me its ortho related and not RA related. She says neck, upper back is RA not lower back. My osteopath tells me its inflammed and he can do nothing for me, I feel it must be a little related to our general inflammation but obviously not specifically RA.

I bet that doesn't make sense! But I agree, the pain came back as soon as I dropped from 5 mg Pred, my back pain returned.

So it has to be from inflammation of some description.

Sorry no answers or cures. Heat packs?

Core strength?

Tummy muscles are suppose to stabalise backs aren't they?

Big hugs, golitho

Posted 3/9/2012 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Am sorry you're also suffering from low back pain.  There are many possible causes.  For me, I have sacroiliitis...inflammation of the SI joints, which causes joint pain, shooting  and pinching pain along with back pain.  If I sit for a bit, my lower back aches. 

As the above post, if it continues, you should look into it and somethign like physio may help to strenghen any abdominal (back supporting) muscles.

Posted 8/13/2012 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
I also have this and agree with the above thread-it must be inflammation related. I have a nagging pain in that area,in back above and between my hip joints that have some flare up going on. I was recently sitting on the ground and went to standing in a quick (not careful) motion. And it strained to a terrific pain now. I am learning that my body has changed with RA and I have to be very careful now. For me pain causes tension (physical in this case) which can lead to spasm with the wrong move. Whenever my foot is inflamed all I have to do is move it wrong and it will go into a painful spasm at the drop of a hat. I hope you will be feeling better. If you are able, try a good massage therapist. If I am not having a flare up, it really helps for a few days.
Take care ~
Posted 8/14/2012 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Before being diagnosed with r.a., I had (and still do) deal with lower back pain. I had an x ray done and it showed a bone spur in one of the vertebrae that is pinching on a nerve. The x ray was done a few years ago and my pain is every day. After standing for a short time, the pain starts down my butt and wraps around my thigh on my left leg. But something new started where I also get numbness on the middle outside of my right thigh.

I was on Prednisone 30mg for a few weeks and my back actually felt better for a bit. Not great but better. Now that I've lowered it to 5mg, my back pain is back full force. The prednisone masks pain. It doesn't have to be r.a. pain.
Posted 8/15/2012 10:04 AM (GMT 0)
Ha Yep sure do i do have back issue that are separate but the tailbone thing struck a nerve with me, i often have that severe pain right at tip of tailbone and wondered where it stems from, i really think some Rhumy's ether don't know or disagree with each other as some say yes RA caused that back pain others say no. but what we all know i we have the pain for Some reason perhaps the RA may not attack the Spine as such but the other bones that "Hang" off it so put preasure on spine -

 if that makes any scence. idea

Posted 8/19/2012 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi momto3,

Firstly, you've got all my sympathy! Low back pain is TERRIBLE.

This is what happened to us.

Me and DH both developed low back pain and I thought I somehow hurt my back working in the garden and DH thought it must be RA that is effecting is back.

I had many physio treatments, chiro, pain pills, anti inflam.pills - but the pain wouldn't go away.

Then we changed our TV lounge chairs! Eureka - low back pain solved!

The back of the new chairs are more straight. Better for your posture.

Good Luck!

Posted 10/19/2012 8:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, i just tried a Chinese mediicne for my rheumatoid arthritis, i got it 10 years ago, my hand and knee joints are stiff and painful, and i tried many therapies but without good effect to stop pain. i bought this mediicne for external apply on my painful area, it is relatively cheaper  (less than $40 per month)  than drugs i have used, and safty, now my pain has alliviated so much, i came across this mediicne on  http://www.tcmfe.com/independently-developed-tong-li-zhi-powder-p-522.html?cPath=66_88 , i recommend it to frineds.
Posted 10/19/2012 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Momto3, yes, I was in a car accident in 1997 and that has left me with chronic lower and upper spine problems...It ain't easy and I would say to you to look into pain management if your not yet and physical therapy can help... I was on Vicodin and got switched to Norco so that I would not have to worry about the tylenol amounts, Vicodin has a lot of tylenol in it. Just be careful with the vicodin both it and norco can interact with methotrexate, it did with me. I was on injectible mtx and I would use half the amount of norco on the mtx days, which help a lot and reduced the reaction between these meds. don't take them at the same time either....It's a little know interaction these medicines have...Hope your doing better soon and also try ice pack to see if that can help...Many many well wishes and I hope your doing better soon...
Posted 10/22/2012 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
I've been living with RA for almost 40 yrs....my oldest child was only one. I went on to have 3 more children. I have severe lower back pain and live on a heating pad it seems. It had gotten worse as I've aged, I just turned 60. I also recently found out I have a compression fracture which I'm told is due to a lot of meds I've been on..prednoise being one. I had a bad car accident when pregnant with my 3rd and so no xrays taken. I was also hit broadside 12 yrs ago which further compromised the back pain. I do take vicodin at bedtime for pain.

I'm now on methotrexate again and Orencia infusions which seem to help the RA somewhat. I can't take methotrexate for long periods at a time as it hurts my liver. Seems it is always something but I am a lot better off then some so I can't complain.

I do find the heat helps tremendously esp sitting for long periods and at night. Swimming helps too.
Posted 10/23/2012 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Chartreux, so sorry to hear of your car accident! Yes, I am also on the Vicodin and am concerned about the amount of tylenol that I take. I've taken Norco a couple of times in the past, and it really got rid of my pain, not RA related. I will ask my rheumy at my next appointment. I've also thought about the injectible MTX, but I hate needles as it is, but I've noticed that the MTX has lost some of its effectiveness.

My back pain is RA induced..I have missed some doses of my Enbrel and today is a MTX day and my back has been hurting, all the way down to my hips, groin area. So, I would say yes to inflammation, to the point of being stiff, it feels like there is a vice on my lower back.

Posted 10/23/2012 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Momto3... I am so very sorry you are having this pain. I feel for you. I have been experiencing some joint pain in my hips. Don't know what is going on with that unless I am having a flair. Havent been sleeping well as the pain has been keeping me awake. I take vicodin for the pain with not much help at night when I lay down. Had to leave my grandson's football game last night due to the pain from sitting on the bleachers... it was a little cool as well. When I got home I have a small wrap blanket that is heated and I wrapped it around my hips and got some relief from that. Maybe that will help you. Hope you have a better day!
Peggy
Posted 11/24/2012 8:00 AM (GMT 0)
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Posted 5/13/2013 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
I know this is an old post, but I bet Sciatica is a culprit. The herniated disc theory is still relevant too. I had lower right back pain only. I never had any pain on my left, just on my right. The best library for treatments I found was here

http://lowerrightbackpainhq.net/category/treatments/

Out of all the exercises I tried, stretching was the only one that really did the trick. Hope you are better a year later!
Posted 5/5/2014 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
I TOTALLY agree .... I have never had lower back issues until I started using prednisone. Now I have to be super careful (since I am still on the prednisone). My lower back is always just on the edge (dull ache)... sometimes if I move or step a certain way it feels like it catches and just shoots pain. I have had xrays and physio ... and no relief. I never had an issue prior to prednisone use for my RA.

Glad to see I am not the only one... it's not in my head.
Posted 5/5/2014 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I recently went off Enbrel because of the extreme cost and then was on Simponi injections for a few months. Haven't been on anything except Methotrexate for 4 months and am now beginning to feel the results. I have been having lower back pain on and off as others have mentioned and I believe it's the RA; also pain in the shoulder and occasionally the knee. I know it will get worse so I'm now considering going back on Simponi which is much cheaper than Enbrel. I was on Enbrel since it first came out, but with a new insurance policy this year, my cost is out of sight! I'm considering Simponi infusion. Has anyone done this? Some things I've read online is that there is a much higher percent of problems with those on infusion rather than injection, which worries me. Anyone have any thoughts?
Posted 5/11/2014 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Oh my gosh yes! Know where you are coming from when you are talking about low back pain! Mine is right above my tail
Bone like you mentioned, mine also swells with inflammation. I am taking prednisone for the inflammation right know. I realize this is a year old post, but just had to comment on this, I am constantly in pain with my back and hips. I've really been having a lot of problems since we have been having so much rain. Of course, it doesn't have to rain when you have this junk that we all have come to know and love! LOL tongue
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