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...

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sacroiliac pain and weakness

mamawjo
mamawjo
Hi everyone,
I know this topic has been brushed on in the past, but this joint never bothered me until lately. So I'm just wondering if I could get some input from those of you who are dealing with pain and dysfunction in the SI joints.
This joint suddenly started bothering me last Sunday. I did nothing to make this come on. It's almost as though my lower back went out. I'm having a hard time getting up from a seated or lying position and a hard time standing up completely straight. The stiffness is incredible and the pain is radiating into my bum and thighs. NSAIDS give me temporary relief. The rest of my joints are flaring,too.
Don't see my rheumy until October 11th. What are some tips that will help me deal with this in the meantime?
cherylmalley
cherylmalley
I don't think I'm much help here but mine went out a few months ago. My Rheumy had lowered my naproxen to 500mg and I started having a lot of pain from the SI joint. I started seeing my chiropractor which helped but was much better when my rheumy suggested I go back to 1000mg of naproxen. She said that it could be ankylosing spondylitis but I haven't been tested for it, yet, since the treatment is the same as for RA. I hate being on that much but I'm a daycare provider and I have to pick children up all day. I also ice the SI joint and do some mild exercises to strengthen it.
I'd love to hear what your doctor says.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yep I get sacroilitis. I find lying on an ice pack is the only thing that helps. It numbs the whole area and it helps a lot.
mamawjo
mamawjo
Thanks so much for the replies. I will try the ice packs. I will try over the counter naproxen also. I have a TENS machine that gives some temporary relief, but can't use it at work.
Cheryl ... don't know how you can pick up children all day! (or any young mother who has RA, mine were grown when I was diagnosed.) You must have strengthed your back muscles quite a bit. I know I need to work on that as well as lose some "prednisone" weight around the middle. Just really stuggling through this flare.
Thanks again for the suggestions and for knowing I am not alone with this issue.