My father has had constant pain in his lower back for four years. His doctor said it is arthritis and gave him a mild pain killer to take (Tramadol) when needed. He is now taking the max amount everyday because the pain is getting worse. Sometimes it just doesn't work. :(

I need help in trying to find out if this really is arthritis and if so, what my father can do to help with the pain.

The pain is in his lower back pretty much on his spine. He says that it feels like someone is constantly rubbing that one spot and it is so tender he can't handle having it touched. Because the numbing pain never goes away, he often gets nauseated. He sits in the car five days a week traveling locally. When he sits or bends over for a significant amount of time, it makes the pain worse. My father just turned 60 and other than this pain, he is doing great. He is also a little overweight, but I am not sure if losing weight would help that much in easing the pain.

ANY HELP you can offer is greatly appreciated. We're getting desperate! Thank you!

Is your Dad seeing an Orthopedic specialist or just his GP? It sounds like he needs an Ortho and at very minimum an xray of the lumbar spine and possibly an mri. There are over 100 types of arthritis and the only way he can get effective treatment is to find out the type. I think he should start with an ortho and possibly a Rheumatologist if it truly is arthritis of some type. I started out in a similar way 13 yrs ago and because of my own research (like you are dong now) I insisted that my GP refer me to someone else after his treatment of ultrasound and pt provided no relief. In some cases a simple shot of cortisone in the low back will provide months of relief. He MUST see a specialist who can give a proper dx and begin treatment. 4 years is way to long to have low back pain and just blame it on arthritis because he is 60. Mine started when I was 45.

Best of luck to your Dad and kudos to you for trying to help him.

Thank you SO much for your reply! I figured that he needed to see a specialist, but he's stubborn. His medical care is through the VA, so hopefully they will send him to the appropriate doctor for diagnosis. He has seen two GP's and the tests came back normal, so they just said it was arthritis.

My father did want me to ask you, if your pain did turn out to be arthritis. What did you doctor do for treatment?

Again, thank you so much for your response! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Yes, in my case it did but it took a long time to dx just what type. Many of the inflammatory arthritis' are just that way, there are no specific tests only, as far as I know, Rheumatoid. Mine turned out to be Psoriatic Arthritis but for nearly 10 yrs I was just treated for undifferentiated spondlyarthropathy.
IF, and it's a big IF, your Dad does have some type of Arthritis the meds are numerous starting with NSAIDS (stronger and stronger till they find one that helps) to DMARDS (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) such as methotrexate) to the big guns - the biologics (Enbrel, Remicade, Humira...). I graduated thru all of these and am now taking Enbrel for the last 3 yrs. I give myself 2 injectios a week and it has given me my life back. I was able to go back to work (in a physically demanding job). Prior to the E I had to use a cushion in the car to get my low back and SI (sacroilliac)joints above the lumbar supports and 3 weeks after starting E I was able to get rid of the pillow. Many other things that I am now able to do which I coudn't before
There are no cures for Arthritis but there are numerous treatment options out there so if your Dad does have A a good Rheumatologist can help. Although I still think he should start with an Ortho for some xrays and an MRI because this could be a mechanical issue and not a immune system issue.

Best of luck, have a great Thanksgiving. Tell Dad that regardless of the eventual dx and his current problems we all have a great deal to be thankful for. And it seems to me that in his case that starts with you.