I've complained about low back pain since I was dx'd 4yrs ago. Mine's now throughout my back. Test results due in a few days to tell me what's going on.

My rheumies have always said it doesn't affect the back. But your SI joints are there & they're the largest synovial joints in the body.(I have a nodule at the base of my spine too.) Facet joints are also synovial.

There's a good article on rawarrior that talks about RA & back pain. I guess it's pretty common even if the drs refuse to believe it.

I have back pain everyday.. It moves from the lower back all the way up to the shoulders..hurts so bad it takes my breath away.. Took tylenol .. eased up a little but not a big help.. Have asked rhuemy about it and all he does is push on my lower back so hard that my legs buckle..then the pain is really back.. have not got an answer in 9 yrs...I just keep on keeping on.. don't really have much choice.

I have lower back pain sometimes but I wonder if it is actually referred pain from my hips. Especially when the lower back pain actually goes into the buttock region like it does sometimes.~Lori

I have back pain similar to cassie2u2 and it radiates to my shoulder. My first Rheumatologist said that RA does not affect the back. All I know is I can have some awful back pains sometimes. Usually a Motrin will ease it if I am at work or Nucenta my pain med will work well.

I get lower back pain, sometimes on my right side. That gives me sporatic nerve pain. That is worst pain. Hurts bad from butt down right leg. Omg worst pain ever. If i can't get a Dr. Appt. I have to sit on frozen veggies for weeks. Cortisone shot is the fast relief. Given in spine. Goes away so fast after shot.
I'm having back pain on left side, last visit he said both back pains were related to my RA flare. If not better, he will give me shot in my spine.
The shots don't hurt, and it's instant relief for months sometimes a year.

So weird rhuemys say different stuff. Mine says it is related, I know it is too. The cortisone shot only works for inflammation, so if I'm getting relief from the shot, 100%. He must be right. I love those shots.

=)
Lin

i do. happens when my hips are out of alignment whcih happens regularly so i see my chiro regularly and do the ankle across the knee exercises described in another post daily. Oh, do things to strengthen your abs as much as possible, that will help take pressure from your lower back. i don't do sit ups, i have one of those wheel things with handles on the side, get on knees and roll forward and back. start with one that has assisted tension to help roll your back or you'll pull a stomach muscle(s) and that is oh my gosh painful.

I have it.
I'd swear it flares right a long with the rest of this freaky body.
The SI joints a big one for me.
My back all the way to the bum can hurt to high heaven feeling like it wants to snap in half.

My RA dr said the same thing but I truly have my doubts.
Between the neck & back I could scream. In between can spasm.
Frustrating.
Sammy

Usually, rheumatoid arthritis has an inflammatory element, related to its own disease process and an additional mechanical component. The inflammatory element makes the mechanical element more over-the-top in its reaction to relatively minor strain. Even so, RA does well by simply treating any deficiency in the mechanical freedom of your back. There are some simple exercises to help which you can read about here: http://www.simplebackpain.com/rheumatoid-arthritis.html.
There is a lot more to read on www.simplebackpain.com

I have lower back pain, it comes on at night - in flares - eases during the day. Hits all of a sudden and disappears just as quickly. But, the nightly flares may last weeks. The pain is so bad I wake my husband and have him rub my back while I'm lying in a fetal position. Seems to help at the time, but then feels like it gets worse. I've tried a heating pad too. Nothing seems to help except time.

I also get the same pain in my right shoulder/arm and right leg. I'm beginning to think it's a tightening of the muscles....tighten up and won't let go!

Sorry I couldn't help and hope you find relief soon!

oooooooooo back pain. Yes, major. From sore stiff neck to middle back pain to lower pain. Owie. Shoulder blades! I hate it when they start. That pain there is not even describable. Mid back feels like I've been punched and there is a tight band all the way around. Lower back is constant though. Recent x-rays showed multi-level degenerative disc disease, arthritis and bone spurs in lumbar and thoracic. Last sunday I had an mri on the lumbar. Don't have those results yet.

Me i also have low back pain. I spoke to my rheumy about it but he also says no RA in the back............pfff! I feel now this painful point on the right lower part of my back radiating to the right groin....I'm sure and worried that this is my hip. A new addition to my pain family !