Arthritis And Type 1 Anyone?

Picci

Well-Known Member
Messages
300
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi everyone, I've been type one since the age of 10 and I'm 47 now. For at least a year I've been suffering from lower back pain, and in the last 4 months it has been so bad I've been unable to do many every day things such as gardening, walking more than half an hour at a time etc Basically my quality of life has deteriorated. I'm in constant pain and it effects my sleeping too. Initially my GP sent me for physio, then I had acupuncture, I've even paid to see a specialist too, but nobody could give a clear diagnosis. Eventually I was referred to IMATS (muscular specialists) and following an MRI scan I've been told there are 'changes' in my lower back and sadly there is no solution apart from pain and cortisone injections. I was told if it had been my knee or hip it could have been replaced, but not my lower back. ''Is this arthritis?'' I asked, and reluctantly I was told it was.
This diagnosis has sunk in over night, and yet again I've had a terrible night's sleep due to pain, I wake up feeling unrefreshed and with this constant dull ache and pain. I feel quite devastated today, it looks like I have to live with this for the rest of my life. I'm only 47 and have a child of 11, I am a teaching assistant therefore I'm on the go all the time when I'm at work.
Strong medication dulls the pain but I pay the consequences. I was wondering if any other type 1s have been diagnosed with arthritis at a young age? Thank you in advance.
 

col101

Well-Known Member
Messages
358
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi Picci sounds like the pain is awful and hard to live with, feel for you.
Wasn't diagnosed at the time but had really bad lower back pain when I was about 40 (was bed bound for a month) and for the 20 years since on and off. I was told the discs were disintegrating in my lower spine. Over the years I've found Osteopathy and Chiropractic really helpful in easing things in the early and days and if I get an acute flare up. Long term the game changer for me was swimming which helped me to strengthen my back muscles which takes the load of the spine and is non weight bearing exercise.
Guess what I have learnt is there are many things out there and it may take some trial and error to find what works for you but it's worth persisting with. Guess that's the stage I'm at right now with my recently diagnosed T1.
Wish you all the best.
 
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Picci

Well-Known Member
Messages
300
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Thank you for your reply, this, it's good to know I'm not alone, I've been researching a fair bit today and I'm amazed at how many of us suffer from both. Many thanks
 

CarbsRok

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,688
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
pasta ice cream and chocolate
Hi Picci, sorry to hear about your pain, another suggestion for you is to make sure you have a mattress that supports you whilst you sleep not cheap I would suspect and also to make sure you have good posture with well fitting shoes with the correct support in your heels and arches so the pressure is removed from your back.
 
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Picci

Well-Known Member
Messages
300
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Thank you CarbsRok, all good advice is appreciated!