Ankylosing Spondylitis :: Pain Management Successes And Failures
I wanted to hear some of your experiences with pain management doctors. I have been involved with pain management doctors (usually anesthesiologists that have branched off into this specialty) for about 5 years now. Frankly I continue to see them since they have provided me with hydrocodone during that time and this does help to some degree. However, I have also tried many of their various treatments. I have had epidural injections, nerve ablations, trigger point injections etc. etc. Most of the results have been very minimal if anything and any results that I did get certainly didn't last very long at all. I was wondering if it is very common for people suffering from AS or one of the other related inflammatory diseases to seek help from pain management doctors. Have any of you actually been helped to any significant degree by them? For the most part I don't believe they really understand the inflammatory process. They ask me where it is hurting and when I tell them everywhere in the lower back they look at me like I'm just a hypochondriac. They assume that the pain has a specific source and their treatments should be able to fix it. My pain is severe but cannot be localized to one source. Have any of you worked with pain management people and has your experience been different?
View 11 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Anti-TNF - Does It Stop Pain? Experience?
After a two year battle with every drug going and being so terribly ill with AS my consultant has decided we need to move onto anti TNF after trying everything else with very little or no success.
Can you please tell me everything you know about anti-tnf. Was it is successful? Did it give you a life back? Does it stop the pain? Does it help with the fatigue? I am so worried about trying it, but need to urgently do something, as quality of life is very low and nothing else seems to work.
I need both my hips replaced, does anyone know if it helps with hip pain?
Heel Pain :: Plantar Fasciitis Or Tendonitis?
I have had this going on for 3 years now and still no closer to an outcome. The pain is in the back of both heels and when touched is really painful. I have had xrays, ultrasounds and an MRI for Plantar and tendonitis but both have been ruled out as nothing showing up. The symptoms led them to believe it was one or the other ie Plantar or Tendonitis, I can hardly walk when I get out of bed and when I point my toes to the air it pulls around the back of my heel. As I work in retail and I'm on my feet all day my feet ache the longer the day goes on and by the time I get home I shuffle along as the pain hurts too much. Once I sit down and rest for as little as 10 minutes I feel everything tighten up and is hard to walk. I have now been told by my the consultant that he doesn't think the pain is in my feet and if it is he can't find it so has now made me an appointment to see the spinal team that's if they are willing to see me. Surely if I am in pain and can't get through a day without any then surely there must be a problem somewhere. At 40 years old I find myself not being able to do the things I love like long distance walking and being out in the fresh air instead. I spend most of my free time resting my feet so I can be ready for the following day as its a constant struggle with the pain.
View 8 RepliesPlantar Fasciitis :: Heel Pain For Months
I have been suffering with heel pain for 7 months. Very frustrating. I left a job in december because standing up for prolonged hours was too painful. Have discomfort in my current job but the hours are shorter so it is more bearable.
Just wondering if anyone has suffered with heel pain for a similar length of time and if it ever went away eventually?
Plantar Fasciitis :: Inserts For Shoes Causing Hip Pain
I was told that I have Plantar Fasciitis. I was given inserts for my shoe but I can't use them as they give me hip pain which is worse than the heel pain. I've tried resting my foot and this helps but I can't rest for ever. I love walking and it keeps me fit.
View 9 RepliesPlantar Fasciitis :: Heel And Leg Pain That Leads To Shoulder Blades
I cannot wear a shoe on my right foot for my than 3 hours before this terrible pain starts in my heel, then travels up my leg & ends up in my shoulder blades, but so far they cannot find anything wrong with my foot also have shocking leg cramps during the night, if I walk around the house with no shoes on no worries, see a neurologist next week then a rheumatologist the following week, back doctor has given me the flick & tells me it's nerve damage, all very strange
View 1 RepliesPlantar Fasciitis :: Inflamed Irritated Feeling Heel Pain
About 4 months ago I started noticing my both of my feet felt very fatigued after a short walk and when I put my feet up to rest, the lower back side of my heels (below my achilles just before it turns to the underside of my foot) felt slightly irritated. The fatigue in my feet would come and go then about 6 weeks ago I started feeling pain/discomfort in the bottom of my feet (in the heel area). The pain has never been worse in the morning. It gets worse the more I'm on my feet (especially standing or slow walking like when shopping). I have extremely high arches and the doctor thinks I am experiencing pain because of the anatomy of my feet (a lot of concentrated force on the heels).
Let me rewind a bit. Because of my very high arches I have been fearful of developing foot problems, especially PF. As a result, in March of this year I started doing calf stretches in the morning. About 30 minutes to an hour after waking up I would stand on a stair and really stretch out my calves (3 sets of 20 seconds for both legs). It was about 6-7 weeks later that at the same time I started noticing the pain in both of my heels.
About 3 weeks ago I got custom orthotics and shoes with excellent cushioning for the heels. About 10 days ago I stopped stretching thinking I may have actually injured myself because of overstretching.
I have no pain when pressing on my heels or achilles or anywhere under my feet, just an inflamed irritated feeling when I walk. Other than a few steps here and there I don't walk barefoot and haven't for the past couple of years (broke and ankle two years ago and hard surfaces really aggravated things after getting out of the cast).
Broken Pinky Toe - Heel Pain - Bruise Or Plantar Fasciitis?
I broke my pinky toe and was walking more on my heel. Now the inner edge of my heel hurts a lot with either walking on it or just even pressing on it! Is it more of a bruise (& treat accordingly) or is it plantar fasciitis?
View 1 RepliesPlantar Fibromatosis After 20 Years Of Plantar Fasciitis
I have suffered from plantar fasciitis for over 20 years. I have had special inserts made, bought and bought inserts, bought and bought shoes, I am now BROKE. I have had so many cortisone shots in both feet I can no longer get them, I have nerve damage in my left foot. Last year I was diagnosed with palmar fibromatosis, and also plantar fibromatosis. I had surgery on my hand, and the knots came back worse, the knots in my feet are getting really bad. I can barely walk. I am on my feet 7 1/2 hours of 8 hours (no breaks except lunch), and I walk and walk, and my feet are killing me. I have cried until I have no tears left. I can not find a doctor willing to do surgery on me. They say they don't want to take the risk. I have even traveled far away for a treatment that I hear works, but that doctor said I had too much scar tissue to do the procedure.
I am at my wits end, I am in such HORRIBLE shape. I have seriously thought about laying down on the railroad tracks and letting it cut my feet OFF.
I live in Virginia, does anyone know of a doctor that can help me? What should I do?
Heel Pain :: Posterior Tibialis Muscle Weakness Or Plantar Fasciitis?
I was told it might be posterior tibialis muscle weakness or plantar fasciitis. does anyone know about the difference of these two?
View 1 RepliesHeel Pain :: Similar To Plantar Fasciitis - Needling Trigger Points - Acupuncture?
I am recovering from foot surgery and am experiencing pain on bottom of foot/heel that is similar to plantar fasciitis. I have other pains related to the surgery that are improving, but this one is persistent. My PT suggested dry needling in trigger points, which is similar to acupuncture. I also have PTTD developing in my other foot, and she suggested it may also help with that.
View 1 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis Or Fibromyalgia?
I'm 30 years old and have suffered back pain and knee pain to an almost debilitating stage and the fatigue can be immense. I've had this since I was 17 ish. Quite often out of nowhere my knees will 'pop' or 'crack'. This can be when I'm walking, starting to sit, try to kneel or even stand still! Sometimes the pain is horrendous. I've also noticed my back has become less flexible over time (in fact my whole body). My calves feel heavy and my feet hurt like crazy. I find it hard to sit for very long without my spine hurting. My wife has tried massaging my back, but she hates it because she sees the pain I'm in. I have been to a Chiropractor, but I seemed only to get worse! I have been to the Dr and they seem to only want to look at one thing at a time rather than collectively. However, I do get some violent jolts or shakes which has been diagnosed as Myoclonus. It has been suggested by one Dr that I may have Fibromyalgia, however, I read through the literature and although some of it sounds familiar I'm not so convinced. By chance I then read an article in my local newspaper drumming up awareness of AS. I'd never heard of this before so I googled it and I would say the symptoms described struck a chord with me. I'm yet to discuss this with my Dr. Has anyone else found the same awkwardness in regards to getting to the bottom of what their suffering from? I'm convinced my mother also had it, although it was never confirmed. I can remember how much of a struggle daily life was for her. One Dr even tried telling her she was a bored housewife and that she needed to get out of the house more! Unbelievable. Anyway thanks for reading this, just trying to build up more of a picture of what it is I have :'
View 4 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis And Spondylosis
Hi. I have recently been diagnosed with spondylitis and I also suffer with spondylosis. I was in a lot of pain, so took myself down to A&E. A doctor came to see me and sent me off for an x-ray. When the x-ray came back I was told I had spondylitis. I asked was there some kind of mistake as I already had spondylosis, I was told no, this was just something else to add to my list. I was gobsmacked to say the least. This bout of pain hahas now eased. I have done some research on this, not realising that the pain would come back. I would like to know how other people cope with the pain?
View 4 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis - Enbrel
I'm 34 years old diagnosed with as last year after over 10 years of agony with no one listening. Finally I got the diagnosis and my rheumatologist started me on enbrel last Nov. The change was unbelievable. Since then I have put on 21lbs even though I have improved my diet. For the last few weeks pain has been creeping back in and I've started using co dydramol again. I've also started with chest pain (not the as pain I had before in my chest). This has resulted in having ECG and being put on aspirin and statins. I've also had an echocardiogram today as there were minor abnormalities in my ECG. Wanting really to talk to people on enbrel. Have they had any of these side effects? Did the drug stop working as well at any point?
View 8 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Feeling Like That Of 90 Year Old?
I am 45 year old female, since my late teens I have suffered from what I always thought was sciatica, I would get bouts that could last weeks and although no proper diagnosis, DR agreed with me that was what it could be. Ive managed that through the years (and believe sometime the pain has been excruciating) with various pain relief concoctions. I would also always have an aching back, and if stretch too far its feels like something in lower my back has been ripped. As a florist for nearly 30 years I put most of my aches and pains down to the job (floristry is a hard, cold and very physical job).
Also at 19 I had my first bout of iritis, I've had it four times now in all, the last time being in 2009. The eye doctor I saw though it would be a good idea for me to have a blood test as he said iritis is a symptom of something else.
So I had the blood test and it showed the HLA marker, I was then sent to a rheumatologist who took an xray, told me I was hyper mobile and that was it...
To cut a long story short, I have been back and forwards to the docs since then. Various referrals to physio who give me exercises (which I do do) and then dismiss me. My legs now hurt sooo much, all the time in fact, I'm not unfit and not overweight (I did leave the florist 2 1/2 years ago) and although work from home, I walk the dog three miles every day. But this is more than aching legs - I can't get up the chair and as for getting up from the floor, forget it. I have to hold on when I go upstairs and lower back is constantly aching
My body feels like that of an old lady.
Incidentally, I developed a frozen shoulder in January and a lump at the base of my neck which physio said was down to posture!!!
Was back at the docs today who finally said she would refer me again as its sounds very much like AS
Does anyone have any tips on how I can get them to take me seriously, I have only ever had one x ray in 25 years but I just can't cope with my body feeling like that of 90 year old.
Ankylosing Spondylitis :: Enbrel Or Humira
I have recently been diagnosed with AS. At my last hospital visit the consultant gave me a self assessment form about my level of pain and mobility. I have to complete it again in 2 months when I go back to see if there has been any change - the consultant did say it was very unlikely there would be, but there is a process to follow. Anyway, she said when I return I could choose between Enbrel and Humira, and gave me some literature on them both. I understand that everyone is different, but wondered if anyone else could comment on the highs and lows of both drugs. I am 44 years old, and the main problem is in my neck. I can look left and right, with limitations, but cannot tilt my head to the side or look up. The anti-inflammatory drug that has so far worked best for me is Naproxen. Also do you have to continue with painkillers or are the injection a replacement for the anti-inflammatory drugs only.
View 4 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Anti-TNF Drugs In UK?
I have read on several message boards lately that there could be two new anti-tnf drugs coming to the market soon. Would that make the total 5? If so then does anyone know when these will be available to the UK market?
View 4 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Bad Reaction Following A Spinal MRI Scan?
Has anyone suffered a bad reaction following a spinal MRI scan?
I suffered (and am suffering) terrible muscle pain and muscle weakness following an MRI scan one month ago.
My scan was standard (i.e. without a contrast dye being injected into the blood - I know the dye sometimes causes problems) and I have so far found two people who have suffered a similar reaction.
It feels as if the scan has "stirred up" my immune system to produce inflammation in muscle and joints in my right leg and right arm.
Ankylosing Spondylitis In The Top Of The Neck Affecting My Balance
I have been diagnosed with Spondylitis in the top of the neck it's not the tightness or the pain it's the way it's affecting my balance! I also have a inner ear problem so not sure what is causing the Vertigo or could it be a bit of both can anyone out there help before I go crazy thanks!
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