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Posted 5/6/2013 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I'm Tia. 25 years old. I've had back and spine pain on my right side only for 4 years. I have had xrays and MRIs that confirm disc bulging. I have had PT, as well as almost 15 facet, cervical and thoracic injections. However my blood work came back positive for ANA levels recently twice. The first time was 1:160 with a speckled pattern and the second time 1:360 with a centromere pattern. The doctor suspected an auto immune disease. I was then sent to a rheumatologist who was rude and uncaring. I am currently waiting for an appointment with a different one. Sadly they cannot see me until July 23rd. I was hoping to post some of my symptoms here and ask anyone if they have had any of the same. So here we go:

Back pain, Right side only: Starts at the top of the neck and continues to the base of spine and extends outward. 4 years and has only gotten worse.
Right leg numbness when laying on stomach or back
Right arm/hand numbness, tingling and shaking randomly throughout day.
Fatigue
Headaches, usually on the right side of head, eyes and neck. 1-3 times weekly.
Sciatic nerve pain, right side only
Severe Constipation since childhood
Severe muscle inflammation of entire right side of spine and back.
Red inflamed, flaky patch on right side of nose. Suspect psoriasis, has been persistent for 2 years or so.
Loss of range of motion in neck when tilting to the left
Loss of the ability to sit, stand or walk without assistance or rest within 10-30min

Things I am diagnosed with
Degenerative Disc Disease of entire spine
Five bulged discs (Possibly more)
Scoliosis- Slight curve
Leg length discrepancy 4mm
Anxiety/Depression
Vitamin D Deficiency

If anyone has any ideas or anything at this point I would be so grateful. I hope to find support hear and hope everyone is as well as you can be.

Post Edited (Tia S.) : 5/5/2013 9:46:55 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/6/2013 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
A high ANA level is usually signs of an autoimmune disease. Yours sounds like Central Nervous System Lupus.
I advise you to post over in the Lupus Forum on this site.
You can find out more about CNS Lupus at lupus.org or lupus.com.
Posted 5/6/2013 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
If your doctor gives the go ahead, you might want to look into a chiropractor. I have degenerative and herniated disks, plus nerve damage and numbness. My chiropractor's treatments have helped.

What has also helped me is my neuromuscular massage therapist, stretching twice a day, trying to be as active as I can without doing too much, and healthy eating.

I'm still living with a lot of limitations but the above has helped me get through this.
Posted 5/6/2013 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Tia, and welcome!  Boy, you sure have a lot of back problems for your age.  I'm so sorry!  Do they know what caused all these bulged disks?  That has to be so painful.  One thing I know I would NOT do...and that is go to a chiropractor.  I don't have bulged disks and did see a chiropractor, actually for about a year, and was hurt by him.  He was considered an excellent chiropractor, too.  I walked in one day and shuffled out, in tears, because I couldn't lift my feet off the floor.  Just trying to get dressed took me over a half an hour.  I wouldn't dream of seeing a chiropractor with degenerative disk disease and five bulged disks.  Just my humble opinion. 

 

Now, I do hope you did your homework when choosing the new rheumatologist.  You can go online and google the name, read reviews, ask people.  I found the best rheumy by asking my hairdresser.  They know what's going on because the clients sit there and chat while getting their hair done.  LOL  A friend of mine confirmed what the hairdresser said so then I checked the doctor out online and he had high ratings. 

 

I am not a doctor but do think your problems are steming from your back and possibly lupus is involved.  Joy (Couchtater) mentioned this and she is well-versed on lupus since she has lupus along with fibro.  I don't know a lot about lupus but we do have a good lupus forum here on HealingWell. 

 

Fibromyalgia affects all four quandrants of your body and is one of the criteria for a diagnosis.  You are being affected by only two quandrants...your entire right side.  So I'm not sure if fibro is involved and only a good doctor can tell you this.  With all the disk problems, the pain is probably radiating from that.  Your neck is part of the spine and all the nerves originate from the spine, too.  I know I'd want to find out why I had all these back problems at such a  young age. 

 

I wish I had some concrete answers for you but we don't know for sure what is going on with you yet.  If you do have fibro, I have a lot of suggestions but you do need to get a good diagnosis.  That is imperative.  I will be praying your new rheumy is an excellent one. 

 

The first thread on the forum is Fibro 101.  You can read that and this might help you see if you think you have fibro.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good links for you to read would be Symptoms and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia. 

 

I'm lookning forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Please let us know what you find out, too, because we do care about you.  I hope to hear more from you soon. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/8/2013 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I've always been nervous about chiropractors for that exact reason. My GP had mentioned it, but said with my muscle inflammation he didn't recommended it right now. He wanted to wait until they had it under control. That was 2 years ago and its still there, worse even. So I am sure feels the same. I made an appointment to talk to him on Friday and disability. I haven't worked for 8 months. I have put it off for sometime because I was afraid of being judged. I just have to do what I have to do. I will keep everyone updated. I appreciate the feedback.
Posted 5/8/2013 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Tia,
Hi, and welcome! Sorry you ahve to go thru so much for someone so young.. that is terrible..
Fortunately, this is a great networking place, as so many fibromites have such a laundry list of other stuff.. Sherrine and Joy touched on the lupus and stuff, so I am going to tackle your chronic constipation..lol
I have been bounced around for a while with gut stuff, and it is al related in one way or antoher. (sorry for bad spelling, late and not functioning all that well today),
anyway, my suggestion for htat would be to see a colorectal or continence doc. It can cause more problems than you can shake a stick at! That would have me concerned as if you are not emptying, it may be backing up causing a mega colon, there for pinching off nerves as they get crushed with poo piling up on them... sounds silly, but I dont' think it would hurt, that's for sure!
Also, along those lines, if you let us know where abouts you are, you can check with people here on docs in your area.
Beast of luck, let us know what happens!
Honestly, I am on several boards on this site, and the fibro people are by FAR the most understanding and helpful :)
Posted 5/8/2013 10:02 AM (GMT 0)
Tia,

I wanted to add that my neuromuscular massage therapist tested me right off to see if I had a leg length difference. I definitely did. So she had me get a lift placed into my shoes and she also discovered I needed o r t h o d i c s, but I couldn't purchase any old o r t h o d i cs one foot has more of a fallen arch than the other. So I was able to purchase them through her which has helped my pain levels.

Another thing to add is she has been checking my posture and encouraging me to do additional stretches. I believe my posture is better which can greatly contribute to our pain.
Posted 5/9/2013 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks again. I've had issues since I was 4 with constipation, I almost died at age 5. You'd think the doctors would be a little concerned when I am only going once a week, with the smallest amount voided (sorry for tmi) They've tried everything: Miralax, Amitza and store bought laxatives and stool softeners. My first rheumatologist seemed concerned but did nothing about it. Clearly I need to be more persistant. If they won't take control then I will. I will ask to be referred when I speak to my GP Friday.
I was sent to get an orthopedic lift for my shoe. I wear it regularly. Thanks for the ideas and feedback.
I'm living in southwest Michigan by the way.
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