Rheumatoid 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. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
hi folks,
I've had serious lumbar back problems for several years. I have stenosis and several herniated lumbar discs. This actually led to cauda equina syndrome (pressure on the nerves that control legs and bowel/bladder function), and I had two surgeries in 2002. Then this year I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis that is primarily affecting my cervical spine, hips and knees.
My rheumatologist thinks I probably have early RA (not confirmed yet, as my bloodwork was inconclusive). And she says that my low back trouble isn't connected to the arthritis. Could that be true? It seems so unlikely to me that I would be hit with two such serious conditions (and btw, I'm only 28). I have done my research on RA, and I do understand that RA rarely affects the lumbar spine- but rarely doesn't mean never, right? Does anyone else have low back problems that have been linked to RA?
I've had serious lumbar back problems for several years. I have stenosis and several herniated lumbar discs. This actually led to cauda equina syndrome (pressure on the nerves that control legs and bowel/bladder function), and I had two surgeries in 2002. Then this year I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis that is primarily affecting my cervical spine, hips and knees.
My rheumatologist thinks I probably have early RA (not confirmed yet, as my bloodwork was inconclusive). And she says that my low back trouble isn't connected to the arthritis. Could that be true? It seems so unlikely to me that I would be hit with two such serious conditions (and btw, I'm only 28). I have done my research on RA, and I do understand that RA rarely affects the lumbar spine- but rarely doesn't mean never, right? Does anyone else have low back problems that have been linked to RA?
My back pain has nothing to do with RA. It is a separate issue. The symptomatic pain I have with my lower back and the symptomatic pain I have with RA are two different things entirely.
For instance, if I vacuum or lean over the sink to do dishes or bathe my dog, my lower back starts hurting after about five minutes. And it is a powerful, jabbing pain. If I don't get it under control, it turns into sciatica pain and travels all the way down my left leg.
When I have issues with RA, it is inflammatory. My joints swell and are achy. I get cramps in my feet.
The two types of pain are completely different. Prednisone alleviates my RA pain but it doesn't even touch my back pain. Also, opioid medication does help both types of pain but if I weren't taking prednisone, the RA pain would be flaring out of control in spite of taking pain meds.
Tis a slippery slope, as I am sure you well aware. You are so very young to be dealing with both these issues. I am so sorry. But, yes, it could be and probably is true. It's true for me.
*gentle hugs*
As for the low back pain... I don't have it very often, its usually very rare and if I do have it, it pales in comparisson to my other areas of pain.
Good luck with finding your answers!!