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Spondylitis, arthritis in spine, anyone?

Lamont D

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Type of diabetes
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I do not have diabetes
Have been informed from my x-rays taken a couple of weeks ago, that along with the rest of my conditions, including arthritis in my hands, it is now causing inflammation in my neck joints down into my lower spine. My appointment with physiotherapy is at the end of September, can anyone help with the better methods of coping with it and really important dietary keto advice because of my RH.

Think I'm just falling apart, Doctor said plenty of wear and tear!
Many thanks in anticipation.
 

I think it's a sad reality that a bit like our cars, as we get a few miles on the clock some things wear out a bit, and some even stop working all together.

I have arthritis in my hands and because of a medication I take, I am not allowed to take painkillers, such as ibuprofen. I am stuck with Paracetamol, Co-Codamol or onto opioids. Frankly, I don't fancy any of those.

When discussing with with the Rheumatologist she suggested capsaicin cream. It is available on prescription, although not all GPs are familiar with it. She has since written to my Doc to say I should be allowed it if I ask.

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-capsaicin

There's a bit more here: https://www.arthritis-health.com/treatment/medications/capsaicin-cream-joint-pain

In the meantime I tried to make some at home with some success. I didn't use the recipe on the link I posted as I wanted to make it into a stick to rub on, so mine had bees wax in it.
 
Funny you mentioned cars, the ones I built would be scrap metal by now!
Thanks for that, I will check look at capsaicin, I have heard about before, but can't remember when from.
I'm in the same boat with pain killers and I hate taking anything other than paracetamol. I don't trust others, because of the make up of the tablet themselves. They either have lactose or sugars which may trigger the reaction.
I am hoping other than creams or pain killers won't be forefront, I may need pain management, not yet, but a few years time.
Again thanks.
 
Sorry to hear that @Lamont D If you've got a heat pad that may help, especially in colder weather, or you can buy small stick on heat pads that last for a few hours. If and when, the time comes that you need pain management, there are small stick on patches available on the NHS, that deliver a set amount of painkillers each day for 2 weeks, then you put a new one on.
 
Lamont D said:
My appointment with physiotherapy is at the end of September
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From personal experience (ten years ago was getting back pain if I stood or walked for more than 30 minutes and xrays showed I was elegible for an operation) physiotherapy can do wonders here (strengthening core muscles led no need for an op and I'm pain free and able to be active). I know that isn't much help to go when you've still got a month to go before the physio, but I just wanted to advocate for physio.
 
I was in a car accident years and years ago and then a fall on stairs and my back is thrashed. Literally that is how an orthopedic doctor described it. .... Lots of odds and ends of arthritis and some major damage in my back at different spots. The doctors that I have now, my GP, ortho, and spine specialist all are happy I am doing so well nowadays.

I can ride my recumbent exercise bike and I do 10 miles every day. Not only does that help my general health but it keeps everything moving which is really important with arthritis. I did start at I think a half mile at first. I can also swim in my case hours at a time. I take tart cherry and turmeric every day, both considered anti inflammatory herbs. I see a chiropractor regularly and an acupuncturist when needed. When something goes wrong with my back they always seem to be able to fix it. But there is a vast difference in chiropractors and in acupuncturist. I like chiros that use the low impact Thompson Palmer method and acupuncturists that have specialized training in acupuncture that have an MD. The right ones are important. I have also have had many sessions of physical therapy when needed. And I love my heating pad. Although one of my physical therapists had me get a auto shut off one because he said keeping it on all night on my back wasn't good for me. A heating pad is like a pain pill for me.

I have limitations in what I can do, or my back will protest. Things like getting in and out of my car because of the twisting motion is limited to only 3, max 4 errands. Car rides of more than an hour I stiffen, although once I start moving I am fine again. Bending to get into lower cupboards too many times or too long and hours later I will start hurting more. My back ebbs and flows, but acupuncture and a chiro is how I have been controlling it for many years now. I have pain medication, but I rarely use them now. I certainly needed it when I was working and on my feet a lot. Retirement has helped everything. My problems are different than yours and the Spondylitis, really is a different issue that I am not familiar with at all.
 

My wife is on the pain med morphine patches for her lower spine issues. I have witnessed what that has done to her health and quality of life. I'm not going there, I'm not a fan unless absolutely necessary. I will try the heat patches. I have to up my vitamins and a trip to my chemist to see what they have of use Google. But at the moment I'm uncomfortable but not in pain.
 

You can try Voltarol or Ibuleve too. Pharmacists can't agree how much of the active ingredient gets into our system via the skin, but either way it appears to be a small amount. (I'm still not allowed it.)

If capsaicin is too much faff, or your GP can't or won't prescribe, the it could be an option. Given a choice I would far rather rub something on that swallow it, and I'm sure there is also a soothing effect from the application process.

Good luck with it. Pain is rubbish (stating the obvious I know )
 
Cervical spondylosis for over 30 years.
Allergic to ibuprofen, morphine, in fact all NSAIDs and Opioids, asprin too. Capasacin cream caused skin eruption. Luckily I did a small test patch rather than large area coverage.

Not meaning to be all gloom and doom. Currently flare up of pain in lots of joints, shoulder in particular. NHS wait for physio is 36 weeks. I discovered that after waiting 10 weeks. So due to be seen sometime next spring!

Fortunate that I can see physio privately. Well worth the expenditure. I know that is not an option for lots of people, but I am just endorsing what @EllieM said about physio. Have had 3 sessions so far, and things are improving.

For the neck and back, I try to make sure I keep moving, use heat and cold packs. They bring some relief, as does acupuncture and relaxation / meditation. Paracetamol, and a bit of fresh air and exercise are about the only other things that help.

Hope you feel better soon, @Lamont D .
 

Yeah, thanks, when my thumb was in constant agony, I used half a tube of voltarol on it just to get to sleep!
It helps, but not a cure! Don't know what a cure is with every condition I come across, as I moan my way into my septanagerian life.
 
Lamont D said:
Yeah, thanks, when my thumb was in constant agony, I used half a tube of voltarol on it just to get to sleep!
It helps, but not a cure! Don't know what a cure is with every condition I come across, as I moan my way into my septanagerian life.
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Sounds like a nightmare, @Lamont D . I can’t comment on the spondylitis, but if the arthritis is osteoarthritis, then I find that mine (hands and one knee) is far, far better when I limit plant foods - too many veg/nuts/berries and the joints definitely complain about it! Worth a try?
 

I went for my x-rays two weeks ago, which was two weeks after I had my doctors appointment and my next appointment with a physio, but my first with my neck is less than five weeks away. I just think I'm on the fast track.
Is there a waiting list every one keeps going on about?
I'm joking!
My daughter and daughter in law are in the NHS, and they keep telling me how horrific the state of our hospitals are!

Keep safe
 
It's the same but different! I have arthritis in both hands, not severe but I'm getting good at juggling and I'm world champion at dropping things as my thumbs have become just a bit less than useless. I have been given by the physio a pair of thermoskin gloves. Really snug fitting and warm and they do help when I'm gardening, but rubbish doing the dishes!
I don't have that much myself, a bit of salad veg with my first bites mid afternoon. And that is it. Just meat for my last meal. Steak tonight, maybe a few mushrooms!
 
Lamont D said:
Yeah, thanks, when my thumb was in constant agony, I used half a tube of voltarol on it just to get to sleep!
It helps, but not a cure! Don't know what a cure is with every condition I come across, as I moan my way into my septanagerian life.
Click to expand...

I have a badly damaged spine. Arthritis in spine and thumbs. Can't take any of the strong pain killers because of severe reactions.
Then severe arthritis in my left knee.
I have to get as many gadgets to help with pain. I have a very good memory foam mattress (60 density). I drive with a 'Back Friend 'seat in the car. Couldn't drive without. Make everything in the home comfortable for me. Can be a real pain while out and not everyone understands. Do what feels right for you. Keto helps and in my case Not the hot weather!!!!
 
So sorry to come back late to this, @Lamont D . I have arthrtic thumb joints. The left is particularly bad, as the CMC joint has worn away and so the thumb dislocates.
I was referred to Specialist hand Occupational Therapist.Shown lots of gadgets and gizmos. Some excellent, others pretty good at cluttering up drawers. The very best was a hot wax bath. You dip your hands in the wax, then when you lift them out, the wax hardens. Wrap hands in polythene, then a warm towel, and relax for twenty minutes. After that the wax peels of like a pair of gloves. The warmth is soothing, and the joints are more comfortably mobile for a few hours. Oh and skin is moisturised, too.
I had a solid splint moulded to my hand, to wear when at rest, particularly when sleeping, to prevent movement of the thumb joint. Also measured and provided with a soft silicone thumb splint to wear as a working splint. Small, and only covers the affected joint, so more freedom of movement. It is ok for most things, but I can no longer do fine craft work for more than a few minutes. This Hand OT consultation was pre covid. I bought a wax bath to use at home. Good for feet, too.The solid splint is still useful. The silicone ones are too, but they wear out and I have found a place online where I can order replacements. I can’t imagine I will get back to the OT specialists any time soon, so manage things as best as I am able myself.
 
@Pipp My husband has carpal tunnel and they did the wax treatments for his wrists. He loved it so we bought one for home and he uses it all the time. He also wears wrists splints for sleeping at night.
 
Long post alert!
Hi @Lamont D I have had cervical spondylosis for around 30 years, I also have stenosis of the neck but I am not sure I can offer helpful advice as I do not seem to have the symptoms other people describe. If spondylitis flares up it makes me feel quite unwell - something like car sickness along with headaches and just I just feel pretty meh for a couple or three days. I generally need to rest until I feel better so as I do not like these symptoms I try to avoid those physical actions that cause them For example, I was told to only carry upto 10lbs in weight at a time so don't carry heavy bags, I also limit anything that involves looking down a lot, so controlled reading, any kind of craft work, too long on the computer etc. I usually get by and it gives me great excuse not to do to overdo the housework. I think for me posture is key as my vertebrae around C3, C4, C5 and C6 is slightly out of key and is compressing my spinal cord giving me cervical stenosis in that area.
I was first diagnosed with stenosis 9 years ago when my symptoms were the ground coming up to meet me when walking, weaving about when walking and my brain tricking me to think my arm was in a different place. Very strange ! I could actually "see" my arm seemingly to come out of my chest and I had to tap my left arm for my brain to realise where it was. All of my symptoms were relieved with physio, the exercises I did were mainly neck stretches, pushing my neck to the side until there was resistance, pushing my chin back and down into my neck (I could hear it crunching) and walking my hands up and down the wall. I don't know where I have put the exercise sheet but physio were happy to send me out another copy, (which I have also mislaid) so they should be readily available similar exercises can also be found on the web. One thing that really helped was the physiotherapist pushing down gently manipulating the back of my neck to stretch it. As regards eating low carb, this should not have any impact other than it is what I now eat..

Sadly I became complacent over the years, particularly during the pandemic and I am once more experiencing the effects of the stenosis. Basically I cannot walk in straight lines I veer off to the right and I am stumbling fairly frequently. I also live with headaches but not so bad that I need to take pain killers, they are just annoying. Unfortunately I irritated my neck a couple of weeks ago so also have pins and needles in my fingers at the moment but over the years have experienced numbness in fingers many times which have always resolved over time. Other than that I don't experience the pain that you guys have been describing. My stenosis seems pretty localised although at the moment I do have other back issues - I tried ten pin bowling with the grandkids the other week and twisted my back so now have pretty awful aches in my lower back but hoping this will resolve but I won every game, not bad after not having played for more than 40 years.

Because I was experiencing these issues with my neck I went to the GP who referred me to the consultant. There was supposed to be a 20 week waiting list but I must have been fast tracked as I was seen within the month. When I was first referred 9 years ago I was offered an operation to fuse my neck but I chose the physio route however the op will surely come back on the agenda as the consultant has already mentioned it, saying to me "I don't offer people operations unless they are necessary" and he is concerned about my spinal cord so I am now waiting for an MRI appointment after which I will see the consultant again. He has also booked me in for physio. Hope the info is of some use.
 
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I think that was the reason for the gloves I was given, they are really warm and helpful for doing little stuff in the garden. I have given up anything intracate, sometimes even big stuff is beyond my skills, my vocabulary is often quite precisely targeted at my thumbs. I am currently trying to learn how to type cos my thumbs are now getting in the way. And my typing skills were Neanderthal at best. If I could afford Alexis on kindle fire, I would invest but I'm determined to do my best.
I have a couple of splints and supports from the carpal tunnel before the op. I use one when I go across the road to the local shop for anything heavy, bags just cut into my hands.
 
Marie 2 said:
@Pipp My husband has carpal tunnel and they did the wax treatments for his wrists. He loved it so we bought one for home and he uses it all the time. He also wears wrists splints for sleeping at night.
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Has he been offered the operation?
I would recommend this, it was so relieving and to say that the pain immediately after was less than beforehand.
I will look at the wax treatments. Thanks
 
It is not looking down for me, it's up or twisting or quick movement of my neck.
I was awful last Sunday very similar to having hypos, though it wasn't cos I couldn't eat, had no appetite. Felt really meh!
Still three weeks to see my physiotherapist.
Because of everything else, my early mornings are the worst, I have to take a quick walk to get my body going, the essential tremor doesn't make things any easier.
Sneezing, yawning and shivering are lethal!
 
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