? for those with back pain/AS

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been struggling with getting iron defiency anemia under control and terrible SI joint pain. The SI joint pain started a little over a year ago. I saw my primary care doc who sent me for physical therapy. The PT said that my SI joint was locked on the right side. They had me do exercises and used steroid patches on my back. I don't think the exercises helped much, but the steroid patches did a little. As soon as I finished the PT the pain came back, but was manageable. I've mentioned it to my gastro at every appointment, but he doesn't seem to be too concerned. I finally asked him for something to help with the pain, because Tylenol wasn't helping. There were some meds that he suggested, but I couldn't take because of interactions with other meds that I take. We finally settled on 200mg of Celebrex as needed. He didn't want me to take it daily because of possible GI side effects. Well, over the last month the SI joint, as well as my neck on the right side), are killing me. I've been taking the Celebrex daily, but it's not really touching the pain. I've made an appointment for Tuesday to see my primary care doc about a rheumatologist referral. I know this has been asked before, but I didn't know how far back to go to look for the post. What do you do for pain, particularly the back pain? Are there alternatives to Celebrex and narcotics? I'd like to have several suggestions to put forth on Tuesday since my primary care doc is very responsive to patient input. Any help or advice is really appreciated!!!!!

Thanks,
Jen

Thanks for the response, Clcaj. I am going to ask my primary about seeing a rheumatologist. I used to have one here years ago when they thought I had rheumatoid arthritis. It turns out the joint pain then was probably my first signs of Crohn's disease.

I haven't done the water stuff lately. I used water aerobics to rehab my knees after my surgeries. It was helpful then. I do get exercise. I work with a personal trainer twice a week. She always watches me very closely to make sure I do things right so I don't put any strain on my back or neck. She also has me doing a lot of stretching and "core" exercises to keep my abs and lower back muscles strong. Many of the "core" exercises are similar to what I did in PT.

I do use the heat patches while I'm at work or out and about. At home I use a heating pad or a soak in a warm tub. That helps some. I was thinking about the cortisone shot into the SI joint as well. The physical therapist I saw said that might be a possiblilty down the road. I think I've hit that spot in the road. This pain is really beginning to interfere with my life.

Thanks again for the support!

Jen

Get yourself to a rheumatologist as a good rheumy will evaluate your joint pain and determine what is going on with your SI joint. The therapist's observation that your SI joint is "locked" needs to be relayed to the rheumy. If you have fusion in that SI joint, it is an indication of Ankylosing spondylitis. Sacroiliitis is not always visible on an xray. If your pelvic xrays do not show why indications for the SI pain, insist on a MRI.

Twenty percent of people with CD have arthritis related issues. Spondyloarthropathy associated with Crohn's can cause real painful and damaging problems in the spine and peripheral joints.

I have been taking tramadol for quite sometime to help with the pain of my AS. I have Vicodin for breakthrough flares.

Thanks for the replies, Ides and Matthew. I had spinal x-rays a year ago when the pain started, but they didn't show anything. My gastro said it wasn't a big deal since the x-rays were negative. He had also suggested Tramadol, but it can have bad reactions with one of the other meds that I take. I forget which one right now. I've been concerned about anklyosing spondylitis because of its association with CD and my mother had it as well. I hadn't thought about a TENS unit. I have friends that use them to help with migraines. I'm not afraid of narcotics. I've taken them with my knee surgeries. I'm really sensitive to the sedating effects and can't afford to be drowsy with the work that I do. I'll let you know how it goes Tuesday with my primary care. Thanks again for the advice!!

Jen