hi iv had severe back pain for six years im on various pain killers but they dont seem to be working anymore im in constant pain its taking over my life it takes me hours to get moving in the mornings the pain is so bad im 42 and feel more like 62 doc s said i have arthritis but im worried its more than that i cant stand up for long without crippling pain same with walking and sitting i know i need to see the doc but im really scared of surgery dose any one have any ideas please help caza

well,honestly,the only way you are going to really find out what the main problem is is by actually seeing a doc and obtaining an MRI.unfrtunetly any specific Dx of a spinal issue cannot be found any other real way.you need to be able to get down to the nerve and spinal cord levl to see what if anything may be triggering your pain and any other symptoms.the best way is with MRI.it just gives the very best possible look in there.a CT would not be able to show the fuller picture like an MRI would.the very fisrt thing you just have to establish is what the main problem is and hopefully be able to actually treat it and get it better.have you ever had just a basic x ray of your spine done just to see if the vertebrae are all aligned properly?just a very basic starting point.even if they 'look' okay,an x ray still would not show what is going on under the boney parts of your spine,thats why an MRI really would be the best way to go.you just need to know whats up and what you may be able to do to try and fix it.i really think just getting the ball rolling here in this way would at least get you started towards some answers.i do wish you luck with this and hope whatever shows up is not too serious or unfixable.but you DO need the MRI done.please keep me posted as to just what you find out,K? Marcia

I am soooo sry that you feel scared and can honestly say that it only gets worse at times, and at the same time will improve in certain situations since the diagnose's will atleat make you feel as if you are not "imagining" things and will help you come up with a plan of action for you. I hope that others on the boards will help you to cope.

Being scared is natural. But what you are scared of is the unknown. Sooo, what you need to do is get yourself into a good doc and find out what is really wrong and what can be done to take care of what is causing the pain. The pain doesn't happen without a reason. Surgery isn't always the only option. In fact, is it usually the LAST resort for every good doctor. So I would stop worry about that and think positive.

Make an appointment and get in to see a good doctor and find out what is wrong first. That will be the first step. You may be working youself into a tizzy (as my mother would say) for nothing....

Good luck and keep us posted....

Yep, Caza, they're right. Off to the Dr's you go. It likely won't be as bad as wondering all by yourself, imagining the worst, day by day. Really. Maybe you could do qualify for some therapy to loosen up the arthritis in the meantime. Keep coming here for support. You'll be glad you helped yourself.

:) Margaret

hi i know you are all right and thanx for your kind words of support i really do appreciate it i will have to go the thought of an op makes me feel sick thanx again for takin the time to reply caza

Let us know what happens. We're here for you. Even if it's the worst thing you're imagining (I can't imagine it's worse than being scared, crippled, in pain, confused, and alone), we'll be here for you! You'll get through this and hopefully you'll find some relief. Many people do!

Hugs,
Margaret

hi all i finnaly plucked up the courage to go to the docs and had my worse fears confirmed my arthritis in my spine is progressing and will only get worsw absolutley nothing he can do gave me more meds for day and night and lots of advice i dont know wy im so upset i knew what he would say just didnt want to hear it im to live the rest of my life in pain its soul destroying im trapped in a70 year old body the same as my brother and my dad they also had spinal arthritis thanx everyone for your help caza

Did the doctor tell or explain to you what kind of arthritis it is? There are different types of arthritis can occur in the spine and there are many different treatments to try...so don't give up just yet...

did they actually do an MRI on your spine to see if there is anything 'fixable' that could at least lessen your overall pain?just becaue you have arthritis in your spine doesn't mean that there is not an area or two that can be helped.alot of us here have degenerative disc disease.i do too.you just need to really know the specifics here.have you tried going to an actual pain management doc or clinic?given what you were told by your doc,pain management would be the best way to go if you were told you just have to live with this.you need the knowledge and expertise of a good PM team to help you deal with all of this.it really was the best move i ever made for my pain.just some suggestions for you.please keep us posted.Marcia

Hi Caza,

If you have access to seeing a private doctor.. it might be worth the wait in gold for you. Either way, get another opinion. The worst will be that you hear the same thing from a new doctor. But chances are.. you might just hear something hellpful/promising. This doctor you are seeing.. is he/she a Rheumatologist? A regular doctor should not be making this call for you and you need to see a spine surgeon if possible.

Also..IF your prognosis is still arthritis.. you should be in some form of therapy program along with your meds, and being treated through a pain management center or Rheumatologist's office for better pain management control.

Keep us posted.

hi all whent back docs he is just a regular gp my arthritis is just progressing he gave me more pain killers for day and night and lots of advice on how best to do every day things but thats it that is what i was worried about the fact that there is nothing he can do i just have to suffer it is soul destroying caza

I know what you mean, I am in constant pain...can barely eat, sleep or anything else. I am 32 year old male with several different back diagnosis among them are severe spondylosis, bilateral facet hypertrophy, facet joint disease and several other things I don't understand.plus 5 bulging discs and moderate radiculopathy in C4-7