X-ray results - not good!!!

[ladybgemini]

Hi All,

Now I know I said I wouldn't bore you with more updates but I feel the need to vent.

I have just had the results from my neck x-rays and I have arthritis in the spine. The Gp says that 2 of my vertabra (sp) have fused completly and 2 more are in the process of fusing. He says he has not seen arthritis this severe is someone so young (31)

This was not the result I was hoping for as my chiropractor was saying that I had a slipped disc and a trapped radial nerve so I was completly shocked. I drove straight to my hubbys work and broke down. I'm still shaking.

I will be on painkillers for the rest of my life and not sure where to go from here with regards to nails as I love doing them and dont want to stop.

Any experiences from people with arthritis would be appreciated and how you cope with the pain and work.

Rachel

 

[weezie]

I can't help answer your question but wanted to offer my sympathy, it must have been traumatic to hear this news. I will be sendng you positive thoughts x :hug:

 

[joolz]

just sending you a:hug:

 

[kc333]

Hi, sorry I can't anwer your questions but just wanted to send you a hug:hug:

 

[louiser]

I'm so sorry hun, :hug: I don't know what to say. My Mum has arthritis in her ankles, she's in her 40's. I mentioned to the doctor a pain in one of my pinkies, that turned out to be that too. I'm only 19!

Hope your okay babes, do you have an appointment to talk to anyone about the treatment? x x x

 

[ladybgemini]

I am still in a bit of shock, I am waiting for someone to call me about it this afternoon.

The biggest shock was when I asked about having another baby and he just looked at me as though I was mad. I'm not sure if that meant I could have more or it would make the problem worse.

 

[Vetty]

I have a friend who doesn't have athritis but she does have something that is causing her bones to fuse (it does have a name but I've forgotten it!).

She has regular physio to keep her mobile and one of the most effective forms is when she has physio in a hydrotherapy pool - it takes the pressure off her back and the physio moves her in the water. Her condition flares up and then eases off but when she's in a bad patch she can hardly move. She also has deep tissue massage - basically anything to keep the mobility going in her back.

When the shock has worn off, do your research - speak to Dr's, specialists, a physio, etc. I've done a quick web search and the inks below may be off help:

Arthritis Research Campaign
Arthritis Care : Welcome to Arthritis Care

It must be a terrible shock, but I'm sure there is plenty you can do to live your life as normally as possible. :hug:

hth's

 

[Vetty]

Another thing has just occurred to me - push your GP hard for treatment, referrals etc. Often there are new treatments that don't automatically spring to a Dr's mind...... That's why if you do some research you can go in armed with some suggestions rather than wait for him to suggest something......

 

[Bronzewolf]

Ladybgemini all is not as bad as you think it is dear huggz
lots of people suffer from athritis and lead an active normal life including me. I was told at the age of 27 that i had the spine of an 80 year old. It is not death itself, your life has not stopped! when ppl reach late 70's or 80's then athritis become debilitating depending on where it is.I am not sure why you would be on painkillers the rest of your life when in fact once the bones fuse there is less pain than when they are rubbing together.... also with pain hmmm your tolerence goes up and you just deal with it i am in pain all the time however most of the time i dont know about it cause im so used to it if you know what i mean..you will have to learn to manage your body, learn what positions you can and cant sit in etc.... but i dont see why you cant carry on doing nails. what vertebrae are fused do you know??? the best thing for athritis is continuous movement to keep the fluids flowing and drinking lots of water to help flush out uric acid and crystalines that are around the joints, swimming and walking are great forms of excercise.... here is a link HealthyPages - Complementary health, natural therapies and alternative medicine is a huge forum board and you will be able to find support there from others...... but honest hun i know its a shock right now but is not as bad.... as from having children i had a child and its my L4-5 that is effected, anyway when your pregnant your bones and cartilage become softer to accomodate the baby.... i would have a second opinion on that but i dont see why you could not have a child even if it meant a C section

huggz try to be positive

 

[ladybgemini]

Thanks so much for making me feel better. I know that it's something that alot of people suffer with, my father also has it and was retired at 34 due to his neck being so bad.

You're right, it was a shock but now I have had time for it to sink in I am not going to let it run my life, I WILL still do NAILS, I WILL have another BABY and I WILL be OK.

I know there are other things out there for me to have or try, I think my GP was wrong in saying I have to take painkillers for the rest of my life END OF. I will certainly be talking to another GP soon about other treatments.

I'm thinking positive therefore things will be positive.

Thanks all xxx

 

[louiser]

Fantastic babes, we are all here should you need anything x x x

 

[artymarty]

Listen hun, don't focus on the negative issues........I know from experience! I have a debilitating back condition called arachnoiditis, which is not going to improve or go away, and I have to take tablets which block the pain signal so I can carry on doing the things I want to. I was told in 1993 that I would be in a wheelchair in five years time...............well hallelujah I AM NOT - and I don't intend to be either!! If I had taken on board that negative curse (because that's what it is) I would probably have been in a wheelchair, not working, not enjoying life, etc.

Don't let it hold you back, put it to the back of your mind, and if you have to take tablets for the rest of your life like I do then - it's not such a bad thing is it!! Certainly look into other treatments.........and swimming is an excellent therapy.
HTH. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Martine x

 

[CadenceAlex]

You keep thinking positive!!! There are so many people who have overcome the doom diagnosis from doctors, by helping themselves with homeopathic remedies/healthier eating and positive thoughts etc etc

Try to keep your chin up xxxxx