Lupus Support Group

I have had chronic back pain for over 25 years. Don't know exactly when it started, I just know my back hurts continually. I've always just lived with it. Over the years, I've got all the other pains. I have fibro and Sjogrens too, so not sure which is from what. So your back may be aggrevated from what you do, but I don't think that causes it. I sit at a desk for a living and my back kills me. So it does not seem to matter if we have a physical job like you, or a desk job like me.

Hope you get feeling better soon!

Thank you for your input...I have friends that tell me to get out of this. That my stables is to much and I shouldn't be doing it. The thing is it keeps me going a lot. I feel stronger and gives me purpose. But of course I am saying this right now on pain med's and muscle relaxants. Ask me tomorrow and I might be wondering what I am doing to myself.

I've had back problems since I was in my 30's. I have to be careful with everything I do. I lost my last job (desk job) because I was out of work for 2 months with back problems. My neck has started bothering me. Probably another herniated disc. Lupus causes joint and muscle pain. Inflamation in both cause the back trouble we're having. I know there are a lot of people with back problems who don't have Lupus. I use a Pilates ball to stretch on. I get a great stretch. Although when you're in an acute episode stretching is not good. The muscles are so contracted stretching causes more pain. I use wet towel in the micro for 1 min 30 sec, wrap in another towl and make a moist heating pad. That helps. I also use muscle relaxers--Skelaxin is the best (pricey) but good. Take care of yourself. Sounds like you're in too acute episode to be mucking stalls. Good you have help tomorrow. Maybe you can arrange for daily help for the nedt week. I used to take board off the bill in exchange for labor. We can't do it all--all the time. HUGS Marla

Hoping to have help for a couple of days...I can do the feeding in the a.m. but the stalls are torture right now. Oh to be able to have someone to come in and always do those. Gosh I might even be able to ride!!! Anyways yes I too have neck problems...have to take topamax due to the migrains but the med's caused so much issue with nerve tingling in my hands and feet. So doc said take it when you feel your neck going out...you probably know what I mean. It feels tight then you feel twinges. I didn't know if this was all because of past accidents (horse fell on me) or if it was from the lupus. Doc feels now its the lupus. Like tonight my hands are huge...so puffy. So is my face. My back hurts and so does my sternum. Hurts to breathe when that starts. At least with back I can lay still...can't figure out how to hold my breathe and live..lol
Tishka

Hello, It is funny you would ask this question. I was just in the hospital ER for severe back pain. I could not even walk. This was really scary. They gave me great pain meds and an IV anti inflamitory. All this got me home and resting comfortably. At any rate You got great advice about getting help. I know how important it is to have some thing that motivates us and keeps us getting up in the morning. However when that thing becomes the part that keeps us from doing other things like walking or other quality of life things we need to re-evaluate our passions. I love boarding for mucking! Or there are so many young girls who are in love with horses and will never own one. Find one or two who are willing to be house keepers in exchange for brushing grooming or riding. I love my job but may have to go part time or quit my quality of life is important and laying around on ice and drugs is not cutting it for me. Hang in there you don't have to give up the farm just look for new ways to run it!

You are so right...and I know I need to figure out how to do this. I tried to get a young gal in here but that didn't turn out to well. Her and her friend just wouldn't show up. Seems like to many young people are not into true work now a days. I am willing to exchange board for help...one gal does help when I am down. The one that is helping this weekend. But during the week she is a teacher...and that means doesn't work with the stalls or a.m. feeding. Sooo need to keep working on this and figure out what to do. I really don't want to give up the stables..but I do need to try to lessen my work load.
Thanks

i too have back issues...for now ive been told it could be arthrtiic stenosis which is narrowing of the spinal cord...and causes root pain in the nerves of spinal cord..im awaiting mri scan for this.....ive sufferd yrs of this..only for it to get to stage where its completely disabled me now..nightmare...stenosis seems to not matter what you do ..rest walk...im now using a walking stick...cos when it kicks off i cant move for murder of the pain..
lozzy

Oh my gosh I am so sorry...I do hope you get thru this alright. well as much as you can with the horrible pain. It hurts when are backs hurt.
HUGS

No you are not totally broken down! Yes, I can totally relate. I have the same problem. I have pins and needles in my back, spine, legs and arms. It if were not for the meds I would be in serious trouble. I really feel it when I lay down at the end of the evening. I am sorry you are going thru this, I know how hard it is to not be able to do the things you really love to do. I especially understand the frustration of feeling the limitations that this illness can bring on. Wishing you good health. Hope.

Gosh this sounds horrible. I really hope you get some help with both the pain and the work load. I really hope you find a good doc that can help you figure this all out and give you some pain meds. I practically live on pain meds I have neck problems too. I herniated a disc in my neck while pulling out carpeting on my stairs. I had done the whole up stairs fine but I must have leaned wrong and I heard a nasty pop! I thought to myself that it did not sound good.LOL! It is degenerative also and I choose no surgery for now. I still have use of my arm so I am considered doing well.

I wonder if lupus can make your discs weak? To all of you who replied my heart goes out to you as well it is awful that so many people must suffer. I tell all of my healthy friends how lucky they are they can get up and do what ever they want to do with no limitations how lucky. Maybe someday with these great medical advances we will all be healthy again. Best wish, god bless and GREAT BIG HUGS!!!!