Re: Does Arthritis have a link to disc degeneration?

[Guest guest]

I have cervical disk degeneration and a degenerated dick in my lumbar spine.

Seems to cause numbness and pain alternatly . doctors just try to keep me on

drugs that prevent furthur inflamation . I think I will probably need surgery

at some point . I am sure taking calcium may help . cathy from ma

[Guest guest]

Hi Charlene

Docs first thought my back problems were due to lumbar disc problems -

however on MRI there was only mild nerve root compression - way out of

proportion to my symptoms. Now they know I have arthritis. Almost

anyone who gets to 50 these days will have some degree of lumbar disc

compression just from mechanical reasons. Your rheumy is right IMO...

Cheers -

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I was wondering if anyone has experienced disc degeneration when

> having arthritis. I have arthritis and had an MRI after a car

> accident the doctors told me it was due to my arthritis but then my

> rhemy told me that it is not. I just did not know if anyone else has

> experienced this and how your progression has been over time. Please

> let me know.

>

> Thank you,

> Charlene

>

[Guest guest]

Charlene,

I've been told the pain in my neck and lower back was BECAUSE of the

" degenerative disc disease " . Quite frankly, I don't believe them. I think it

has

more to do with the PA and the fibromyalgia and it upsets me that none of the

doctors I've been to for the last 4 years has even tried to treat it. They

say nothing will help. Well, I've an appointment with the rheumy today, and

I'm going to hit him with it again. Especially my lower back. My life could

be much more active if I could get some relief in that area. Up until now my

back and neck problems have not improved and are now causing headaches.

Fun, fun. Keep me in the know if you find out anything and I will let you know

what he tells me today.

Janet in Ca

[Guest guest]

I have heard that this is kinda a natural aging thing, most people get it to

some degree, but I may be wrong...

Jeanette

[ ] Does Arthritis have a link to disc

degeneration?

> Hi everyone,

>

> I was wondering if anyone has experienced disc degeneration when

> having arthritis. I have arthritis and had an MRI after a car

> accident the doctors told me it was due to my arthritis but then my

> rhemy told me that it is not. I just did not know if anyone else has

> experienced this and how your progression has been over time. Please

> let me know.

>

> Thank you,

> Charlene

>

[Guest guest]

Charlene,

I have degenerative disc disease, stenosis, and arthritis in my back. They

have always been listed separately. It's because of the disc disease that

the doc's say any operation for the stenosis would be a waste of time, money

and addition pain.

I've never questioned them, I just thought it was a mixed bag of bad news.

Sandy swOhio

[Guest guest]

Hi Janet:

Are you aware of the 6 breakdown in types of PA, I am feeling I have the

kind that attacks the spine.Do research and that may help you show what is

going on with you to the Doc.

THANKS, GOOD LUCK,

Jeanette

[Editor's Note: Your rheumy should be able to determine if you have ankylosing

spondylitis if it is severe enough. Kathy F.]

Re: [ ] Does Arthritis have a link to disc

degeneration?

Charlene,

I've been told the pain in my neck and lower back was BECAUSE of the

" degenerative disc disease " . Quite frankly, I don't believe them. I think

it has

more to do with the PA and the fibromyalgia and it upsets me that none of

the

doctors I've been to for the last 4 years has even tried to treat it. They

say nothing will help. Well, I've an appointment with the rheumy today,

and

I'm going to hit him with it again. Especially my lower back. My life

could

be much more active if I could get some relief in that area. Up until now

my

back and neck problems have not improved and are now causing headaches.

Fun, fun. Keep me in the know if you find out anything and I will let you

know

what he tells me today.

Janet in Ca

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy:

I have never asked him if I have this or not, but I sure have so much pain

radiating out from the spine to the rib cage, low back, well almost all my

back really. I will have to ask him next time if he can tell.

Thanks.

Jeanette

Re: [ ] Does Arthritis have a link to disc

degeneration?

Hi Janet:

Are you aware of the 6 breakdown in types of PA, I am feeling I have the

kind that attacks the spine.Do research and that may help you show what is

going on with you to the Doc.

THANKS, GOOD LUCK,

Jeanette

[Editor's Note: Your rheumy should be able to determine if you have

ankylosing spondylitis if it is severe enough. Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

jeanette,

Hi, I been told by my rehuema. that its part of it and I do have so arthritis on

hip and spine. The rib cage and hip and spine always hurts and Im in a lot

pain. Not many meds can help mind. Hopefully, you will get the right pain beds

to help with the pain. Im taking methotrexate and some times morphine at night

to help with the pain.

take care juliet

Re: [ ] Does Arthritis have a link to disc

degeneration?

Hi Kathy:

I have never asked him if I have this or not, but I sure have so much pain

radiating out from the spine to the rib cage, low back, well almost all my

back really. I will have to ask him next time if he can tell.

Thanks.

Jeanette

[Guest guest]

Hi Janet,

My first rheumy told me that my degenerative disk was

a part of my PA... or she strongly felt that way.

Three years ago, on Memorial Day, I was sitting on the

beach and when I since I got up my life has never been

the same.

Jody

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks t.

Jeanette

Re: [ ] Does Arthritis have a link to disc

degeneration?

> jeanette,

> Hi, I been told by my rehuema. that its part of it and I do have so

> arthritis on hip and spine. The rib cage and hip and spine always hurts

> and Im in a lot pain. Not many meds can help mind. Hopefully, you will

> get the right pain beds to help with the pain. Im taking methotrexate and

> some times morphine at night to help with the pain.

>

> take care juliet

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/18/2006 3:53:45 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

cameronparkmom@... writes:

I've been told the pain in my neck and lower back was BECAUSE of the

" degenerative disc disease " . Quite frankly, I don't believe them. I think

it has

more to do with the PA and the fibromyalgia and it upsets me that none of

the

doctors I've been to for the last 4 years has even tried to treat it. They

say nothing will help. Well, I've an appointment with the rheumy today,

and

I'm going to hit him with it again. Especially my lower back. My life

could

be much more active if I could get some relief in that area. Up until now

my

back and neck problems have not improved and are now causing headaches.

Hi Janet, I had a rheumy who tried to tell me that the spine issues weren't

related to PA. This was when I was on Enbrel, which was helping everything

but my spine. She finally agreed to put me on prednisone in addition to the

Enbrel to see what happened. Sure enough, the spine pain went away. That was

the proof she needed to switch me to Remicade. Since I've been taking the

Remicade, the spine issues have gone away 100%. Now we are just trying to

figure out the right dose and treatment interval...I had a treatment 5 weeks

ago

and am not due for another for 3 weeks but the lumbar and cervical pain came

back with a vengeance a few days ago, so I am ready:-) My point being, I

would not take no for an answer when it comes to spinal involvement...it is by

far the hardest for me to deal with, and I've found something that

works...:-)

I will also say that pilates has helped my lower back pain, along with water

exercise. For the cervical spine, that has been harder. But I got a home

cervical traction machine, which helps create more space in between the

vertebrae which in turn lubricates the vertebrae and relieves some of the

pain....it's worth asking about (I got it through my physical therapist).

Hope everyone is well, I haven't been posting as much as I've just returned

to work FT after dropping to PT to help me deal with this crazy PA. Enbrel

and now Remicade were what has enabled me to get back to work after 2 years of

disability. The return to work involved a major move (FL to WA) and

shockingly, I've done remarkably well health wise through the whole move. Until

these last few days but I am getting my Remicade next week so I know it will get

better soon:-)