Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction.
Hello All
I have been in pretty much constant pain with difficulty walking any distance (i.e., all the way through the grocery store) for about seven months. I use NSAIDS, ice, heat, stretching, muscle relaxers, and now my doctor has added Neurontin.
I have had nerve conduction test (normal), MRIs of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, and physical therapy I had a neurosurgeon who did Chiari Malformation surgery on my brain look at them and he said it seemed like a pretty normal looking spine with some DDD due to aging (I am 50) The report from the Imaging Center said some mild herniation, which I am assuming means nothing is wrong to the doctors because they just suggested I lose weight and get physical therapy.
I have tried for months to lose weight but have a terribly underactive thyroid, so it is a struggle. And I cannot exercise. Walking is difficult, and swimming is great but we haven't had the weather for it in Michigan this summer and I even have a pool.
I feel like I am dragging my legs when I walk. The pain is much worse on the right side and it seems to radiate from my hip (think Sciatica) but down the FRONT of my leg primarily. I have extremely tight muscles from my back to my calves, front and back of legs. I have been getting massages but the massage therapists have a difficult time loosening up the knots because they are so bad throughout.
What does this sound like to those of you who have much more experience with arthritis? Should I ask for more tests? I am seeing a pain management specialist next month, but I am afraid that will lead to a cycle of injections which most people seem to say on these boards doesn't work.
HELP! and thank you!
I have been in pretty much constant pain with difficulty walking any distance (i.e., all the way through the grocery store) for about seven months. I use NSAIDS, ice, heat, stretching, muscle relaxers, and now my doctor has added Neurontin.
I have had nerve conduction test (normal), MRIs of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, and physical therapy I had a neurosurgeon who did Chiari Malformation surgery on my brain look at them and he said it seemed like a pretty normal looking spine with some DDD due to aging (I am 50) The report from the Imaging Center said some mild herniation, which I am assuming means nothing is wrong to the doctors because they just suggested I lose weight and get physical therapy.
I have tried for months to lose weight but have a terribly underactive thyroid, so it is a struggle. And I cannot exercise. Walking is difficult, and swimming is great but we haven't had the weather for it in Michigan this summer and I even have a pool.
I feel like I am dragging my legs when I walk. The pain is much worse on the right side and it seems to radiate from my hip (think Sciatica) but down the FRONT of my leg primarily. I have extremely tight muscles from my back to my calves, front and back of legs. I have been getting massages but the massage therapists have a difficult time loosening up the knots because they are so bad throughout.
What does this sound like to those of you who have much more experience with arthritis? Should I ask for more tests? I am seeing a pain management specialist next month, but I am afraid that will lead to a cycle of injections which most people seem to say on these boards doesn't work.
HELP! and thank you!
It does sound like sciatic pain. You have all the symptoms even the calves getting tight. Sometimes if it's nerve they can't see it on the tests. And none of the tests can show your pain levels either.
I'm dealing with the same thing too. Except mine runs up the thigh into my buttock/glute. As far as I know massage is about all they can do. There is something called piriformis syndrome and they'll do surgery that basically moves the sciatic but I'm not sure how effective it is.
I'm also in pain mgmt because the pain & spasms are pretty incredible. I've never had injections for my sciatic. I did for my neck & lumbar that didn't work. My PM doctor now just does med mgmt & massage therapy. I've already run the gamut with "non-copharmacy alternatives". You name it I've done it. So finding a doctor that truly specialised in pain and wasn't an anesthesiologist who just did injections was important to me. Massage and meds work best for me. I use an anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxer, nerve pill (neurontin) and pain med to treat the different kinds of pain.
The piriformis is in the center of the glute muscle. Mine is one big knot too and pushing on the sciatic which is causing the pain. I'm working with a neuromuscular massage therapist for 2hrs twice a month and hoping for the best. I'm doing stretches at home for the piriformis and psoas trying to loosen them up. I use a foam roller too. The (ilio)psoas is thought to be the most important muscles in the body. It can effect everything from neck to legs. It has a lot of memory and can take a long time to see progress. The psoas runs the length of your lumbar and wraps around to your groin/upper thigh area.
Sorry for the ramble. I'm sleep deprived and have a tendency to do that on a good day :) I hope you get some relief soon
I am doing a stretch for the piri formus muscle, but as you say, there isn't much that can be done, and I would refuse surgery at this point because I know too many people who have are much worse off after surgery. I even had a doctor tell me if you aren't close to being in a wheel chair, we don't want to talk surgery...that's how "iffy" surgery is on the back.