Hey Im Aimee im 27 in the uk
and i am riddled with Arthiritis in my spine,legs,ankles,feet,hips,wrists,hands and neck
Im in terrible pain a lot of the time especially at night
my legs get nasty spasms and i cant sleep properly
i know im only younge for arthiritis but age has nothing to do with it
i sometimes have to sleep on my sofa to arch my back and legs up because lying straight in the bed hurts and i have to sleep on my back in the bed and then i wake up in the morning unable to move....Ive been on Morphine tablets which are good for about half an hour then they make you sleep then i wake up and im in the same pain again,hot baths are good to relax the bones,also ive tried anti inflammatory gels,painkiller gels,ibuprofen gels the lot and on bad days they dont help....I guess i cope with my arthiritis with support as my partner is also my carer.
I have no quick answers im sorry hun xx

Thanks Aimee !! I also wake up unable to move which is very frightening!! I also know age doesn't matter as I am only 45!! Don't give up we will find hope!!!

Hi Vicky
and hi to you too TheBPDAngel

I use Lidocaine patches on my back and hips. Takes the edge off the pain.

i also use a fabulous moist heating pad, the heat penetrates really deep into my back and hip area. I got a large size one so covers area really well.
If you don't have a moist heating pad, well worth getting one.

Also strengthening abdominal muscles can help support the back , I know it is easier said than done.

I know this is hard but it does make a difference and that is losing weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is helpful too because it takes the strain off the lower vertebrae.

I gain weight around my abdomen, so that abdominal weight pulls on my lower back. Doctor explained it to me and it makes sense, so I lost about 9 pounds and need to lose more but I think it has made a difference just that 9 lbs. I know how tough it is to lose weight though when dealing with arthritis.

Physical Therapy may help. I had physical therapy for a little while, they can show you good stretches and excercises that can strengthen back.

Stretching daily is important.

Also if you can get to a pool, therapy pools are really helpful for arthritis.
I had aqua therapy and learned that just floating in a pool wearing a float jacket or just holding onto one of those float noodles and hanging there in the water can help with my lower back pain.
and if you wear water ankle weights, it's even better it gives the back a nice stretch.

***I would consult with a doctor or PT to make sure what is safe for you to try. You don't want to cause more problems, but I would think that water therapy would be ok.

I am so sorry we are all suffering with these terrible arthritic diseases, I hope that support here can help us to know that we are not alone.

And you are so right TheBPD, age has nothing to do with it.
i was 21 when I started having signs of things and 25 when full blown RA set in and was diagnosed. I am now 45 and have bad OA. Long story.
But you have my empathy. I understand how getting this disease so young is the most challenging and difficult thing ever.

Hi vicki, I know the pain is hard to deal with .I too have severe arthritis. I have learned a few things about it and would like to share them.The muscle spasms happen when you are trying to do more the your bones and joints can take. They are warning you to take it easy. Pain killers mask the problem and can be overused. Stretching and swimming helps, as does yoga. Applying heat to painful joints is good but you can also use ice or a cold compress for hot, swollen joints. I've also had a hip replacement which did help but it brought new problems with it as well. No easy solutions but we can support each other in this struggle. Mim i

Hi, I'm right with you in the pain department. I found a dsmo gel called Dr Jacobs. It is kind of magic! It even works on my hands! I find it especially helpful for my shoulders. If I had the money back from all the stuff I've tried, I could have a round the world cruise. It's a hard condition to cope with I'm finding. I'm having a hard time getting around tho, thank gawd I still can. I like my heating pad as well and I bought a tempurpedic mattress pad which is great. Good luck to you. faye

i've got arthritis in my spine hips knees,pretty much all of my joints.This summer i've started swimming two or three times a week for hiur and a half /two hour sessions and it's really helping.i'm off a stick and walking quite well.The real test will be when the winter cold sets in,but even to have a better summer is a bonus hope this helps,good luck

Hi everyone! I'm also right there with you in the pain department, it's pretty much getting easier to say where don't I have OA/DDD/DJD. I agree with NatureGirl and Mallow, if you can find a pool or someplace you can do aqua therapy, it is fantastic. I think one of the keys is if the water is heated, that helps alot. Also, try sleeping with a pillow between your knees if you haven't tried that, takes some stress of the hips and back. I even sometime put one behind my back when I'm laying on my side, kind of jam it between me and the bed, it helps a little. For your neck they have these pillows that have kind of a cut out so your neck doesn't sit at an extreme angle. I haven't tried one yet, keep meaning to get one, but have heard great stuff on some of the other boards. Also, you might want to check out the Back Pain and Chronic Pain boards, they are more active than this one, especially the CP one. And, there are a ton of folks over there that have some fantastic advice to share and ear to listen when you need to vent. Hope some of this maybe helps. Elf

Thanks so much everyone!!! I have done months of PT although it feels good the results r not lasting. I haven't however tried the water therapy so I am going to look into that. I know that the hospital not far away has it, just hoping that my insurance will pay or atleast help!

Hi Vicky: I'm also new. Your post about back pain caught my interest. I see that you also have hip arthritis. I had a replacement no too long ago and the pain at night before the replacement was just horrible-it went on for several years. Replacement was my last option. I tried just about everything else, such as injections, massage and physical therapy (in a pool), pain medications, diet, personal trainer, and of course ignoring it. I found a good surgeon who got me out of pain.

Now I'm dealing with the lower back pain from arthritis and I'm looking for ways to help that. What have you done to help your back pain?

hi hope u find some comfort and releif i have been suffering for 15 years since 39 years old whole body there are good days and bad days and bad nights only things worked for me is swimming and cordisone and i had few surgeries sholder one didnt work, tkr seems good so far just got keep searching for what works for u
hugs

HI EVERYONE
i also suffer from sever arthritis every joint is affected,had both hips replaced,wich was a big relief,i was in my 20th when it started,i also broke neck in carcrash in 96 and have every disk in my spine just degenarates ,heating pad is my best friend lol