Hi Milklover,
I've just joined this group. Are you still suffering as badly or are you sorted now?

I guess this isn't a very popular site for arthritis support.

the injection probably hit a nerve and that's why you're experiencing pain. I'm 24 with rheumatoid arthritis. It has become aggressive and it's very difficult to even attempt being a functioning active adult in society. But I also have scoliosis. My advice is yoga man. I never feel better than I do when I'm done doing yoga at your age it'll be challenging at first but if you have the right instructor it'll work. Or if you can Google some for elderly or for back issues that would be great. I don't know what you have access to at your assisted living home but I hope you have access to yoga. I heard of this laser procedure for backs not sure if it helps with arthritis though. But I want to get it for the scoliosis. Also have you tried chiropractic care? you have to be careful because not all chiropractors are equal. Definitely look into them. Be on an all whole foods diet and cut out dairy and gluten (anything wheat or barley in it). It'll make a difference. I wish you the best!

Medical marijuana is very good for pain. There are different strengths you can get. The DHC (which makes you high) is taken out.

Also, research ways to get rid of inflammation in your body. eg tumeric helps as well as certain enzymes. B12 too.

Is this osteo Arthritis or Rheumatoid? There is another group for Rheumatoid, which is more active. Most of us have both, but we start with the autoimmune aspect. I hope you got some relief from the pain!

So sorry for your pain. I'm not a man, but the way I was raised, you cry because someone died, or you're extremely happy. Don't bother people with your problems. Lol.
So I know how you feel. Sometimes I think I want to cry because I'm so angry and frustrated at the pain, not because of the pain itself. The pain makes me want to scream, which is equally socially unacceptable. Haha. Hand in there, tomorrow is another day.

Cry if you want to (it's not only the pain but frustration because there is nothing you can really do about getting rid of the pain), no one knows what you are going through except you. I am over 55 and still working full time. I was diagnosed 3 years ago (after many years of suffering) by a specialist with both fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis (I also had my back xray and have arthritis in my neck and spine). I do have visible psoriasis, and think it is hereditary because my dad also had it. The specialist informed me after the diagnosis that there is no cure, but I can manage the pain with Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve. Hmmmm....can't take Aleve, and from what I've been reading Advil should not be taken by people over 50 years of age as it can cause heart attacks. So I was left with Tylenol. I do take it when this condition flares up badly. I just wish I knew what made it flare up. It's so random. The answer to not being able to sleep at night because of pain, was to vape cannabis. There are different types with lower THC (they all have some THC) and higher levels of CBD for pain. It has helped me a lot to be able to sleep. I just wish there was a cure and it would go away completely!

Are you taking 2, 50mg Tramadol every 6 hours? 400mg per day?

The injection you got is 50/50 whether it will help or whether it will hurt. They have no way of knowing until you get your first one and see. If it put you in serious pain I would not get anymore, because they will most likely all be the same. The injections are very hit or miss.

Have you tried other Therapies like PT, or Pool Therapy, Anti-Inflammatory Medications, actual Arthritis Medications, Nerve Medications, ICY/Hot Heat or Cold packs for your back, Lidocaine patches, Plasma Rich Platelet Therapy, Biofeedback, Massage, Accupuncture, alternating heat & ice, etc.

There are many things that help OsteoArthritis besides Injections and Tramadol. Tramadol being more of a narcotic type med, really doesn't do much for Arthritis pain and it's a nasty lil med that has some pretty serious drawbacks for your body, especially when your on the daily max.