I posted this on the Spinal Disorders forum and haven't had any feedback, any of you have any comments?

I have been suffering with my back and sacroiliac joints for a long time. I have diagnosed Sjogrens Syndrome and Seronegative Spondylarthropathy. I suffer with major pain on the left side and walk with a limp. I just had an MRI of the sacroilliac joints that said the "sacroiliac joints are patent. No sacral nerve root lesions or masses are appreciated. There is no visible presacral soft tissue mass." Impression was : Normal MRI of the sacrum. and.....

MRI of the lumbar and sacral spine: Everything was fine until "L4-5: Small 1-2 mm posterolateral bulges which do not enhance are present within each posterolateral region: however, they do not cause significant canal stenosis or neural foraminal encroachment. L5-S1: A 4mm paracentral disk protrusion with mild central canal stenosis and probable right S1 nerve root impingement."

The bone scan of the knee is fine. No loose parts. Whew, dodged that bullet.

The facet joints that were severely degenerating according to the MRI done in Dec. at the Neuro's request in Dallas, were not even mentioned.

I don't know what to think. What I get from the above info is...everything's fine. But I can't walk, can't stand up, walk with a limp, sit down groaning like an old woman. My back and knee hurt! So blast it, everything is not fine! Not sure what to do next. And on top of all this...musn't forget, the neuropathy. I don't see the doctor who ordered these until Monday week. The doctor at the pain clinic gave these to me.

Now from this, I'm getting...no real problem. I don't understand. Can anyone enlighten me? Is there a problem I'm not seeing in the report. I know it says probable right S1 nerve root impingement. My right side doesn't hurt except for the sensory feelings in my leg and foot. It's the left side that hurts.

Anything?
Billye

Were the second MRI's done at the same facility, or did they have the first MRI's for comparison? If not, and this is just my opinion, I would take all films back and ask them to be reread, compare and refer to the changes, if there are any...

Cathie

Of course I can't medically evaluate what you posted, but I know that floating helps relieve pressure all over your body and reduces defensive muscle spasms (like in the sacroiliac joint). If you can get to a comfortably warm (not hot!!!) pool, spa, hot tub, floatation tank, or even large enough bathtup to float, like a Jacuzzi, it would be worth a try. If you don't have a hot tub, maybe a friend or neighbor would be willing to help you out. I hesitate to suggest or use a public pool because by law they use a lot of chlorine, not too good for our PN.

Gentle micro-electric stimulation, like from a TENS unit or ReBuilder across the painful area can provide a lot of pain relief and promotes healing.

If the area feels hot (maybe hubby can tell you), cold packs would relieve the inflammation and reduce pain. Try 20 minutes of cold, 20 of gentle warmth or room temperature, followed by 20 more of cold. Repeat as often as you want to.

If the area doesn't feel warm, warm packs can relax the muscles. Don't get it too hot. You can actually harm the tissues without feeling pain with too much heat. You can use warm packs or heating pads for long periods of time if they provide relief.

Professional athletes often alternate heat and cold for an hour or two to relieve pain and promote blood flow and healing. Just be gentle with this.

In my experience and from all I've read, if it feels good, relieves pain during and after, and isn't toxic (like many or most drugs), it is healing.

Hang in there Billye. You are my hero and inspiration.

My husband had back problems this past August - sore back with pain going down his left leg. Our doctor, who is an Osteopath, sent him for some physical therapy. After a month of going three times a week, he is fine now.

Have you ever tried this type of therapy?

Diana

Billye, I have big problems with my cervical spine even had to retire from work because of it, the only thing that really helped me was Magnets.
I don't mean those magnetic pillows or magnetic underlays and all that rubbish [ my opinion] i mean really strong magnets placed on the sore area with a piece of molesskin placed on the skin before putting the magnet in place, if you don't use the moleskin you can get a magnetic burn , they increase circulation and i believe that they take care of the inflamatory problem as well.

My mother was going to a chiropractor twice a week, for a very arthritic lower spine problem[s], it would just go on her and she just couldn't move, since i have been putting strong magnets on here, its been 12 months since she's been back to the chiropractor that was happily charging $100 a week off a pensioneer, he's has been sending letter after letter for ages saying its essential that he adjust her spine again, what a joke.
I wouldn't pay anymore than $5.00 for 1 good strong magnet.

all the best
Brian

I didn't know I was a hero, David. Thanks for that sweetness.

To answer questions: Cathie, no the first films were done here and the others were done in Dallas. They had the recent xrays which showed the facet deterioration. I need to take the report of those xrays and the MRI report done in Dallas to them and then ask them to be re-read with that info to support. Criminey! We have to do everything don't we. Even I knew that MRI wasn't complete. Can you have inflammation without bone problems with RA? I'm not sure.

David, I have access to the heated pool at the Y but no way to float. I don't float or swim since the knee surgery. Seems you lose that ability when you put artificial joints in. I know others with the same discovery. And the pool really isn't warm enough to relax. I will try the heat to see if it will help. I stay so cold all of the time that ice doesn't appeal to me. And the neuropathy doesn't like things very hot so I'll try a heating pad on low.

DLShaffer, I am too weak for physical theraphy. I can't walk accross the room without stumbling and holding on to a wall or furniture. Long story...

Brian, I have a set of the good medical magnets I actually got on EBay. I've never used them. I didn't know where to or how to. How long do you leave them on? We had a thread on magnets on the old board. Wish I had it now.

Thanks everyone for the help. I'll make it.
Love,
Billye

Brian, I have a set of the good medical magnets I actually got on EBay. I've never used them. I didn't know where to or how to. How long do you leave them on? We had a thread on magnets on the old board. Wish I had it now.

Its pretty simple stuff Billye, must be, i can do it
Wherever the pain is, thats were you put them, if its a big area, then place a few around that area, when your ready to put a few magnets on, before hand, place them on a table making sure the magnets are well apart from each other, slowly push one of them very slowly towards the nearist magnet, be carefull if there strong ones, as they can slam together and if your fingers are in the way it really hurts, as you get closer and the other magnet you are heading towards, if it moves away from the one that you are pushing, thats great, then thats the way you put them on your body.
If they attract to each other on the table [wrong] see if then you put them on your skin that way up, they will work their way loose and go flying [ smashing ]onto the other magnet[s]
Its a lot easier if hubby could place them onto you, its difficult trying to do your spine by your self.
Don't forget the moleskin, strong magnets can leave a real " red " magnetic burn on your skin, you will need a good strong adhersive tape, something that's water proof is good, just in case you sweet they might fall off you.
I usally leave them in the same spot for about 3 days, you might find that the pain has moved away from the origanal spot, well then of course place them on the sore spot, i have found that it takes a few hours before you notice any relief, the longer their aloud to work the better it normal is.
good luck
Brian

All my husband did was lie on a table while the PT basically worked (rubbed) on his back and concentrated rubbing and massaging the area that was the problem. I was hoping this might be an option for you.

Diana

I should have added, just in case someone else may be reading this and has soreness elsewere,
Never Ever put then near your throught or if the person has a pace maker or any other similar device DO NOT USE THEM.

Billye,
My wife has 'spurs' on her disc's all over her spine. they've probably been there a long time- but we didn't know til an x-ray showed them when she was hospitalized for back pain and on a morphine drip for 2 days.
The docs said there was nothing to be done, surgery not indicated. Therapy probably best. WRONG !!
Magnets were her lifesaver.
She found someone who knew someone that heard of someone......etc. Long story short- Nikkon was where she wound up (its on the web). She's a RN manager & on her feet a lot. She uses the shoe inserts (claims its good for both feet & back-something to do with magnetic flow thru the iron in the blood [!?]) and wears a rectangular magnetic 'plate' about 6"x10" (some are smaller too) on her lower back. 24/7 !!- sleeping too !. There are various methods to put a layer of thin fabric (between 2 pr of undies, etc) between the magnet & skin. she just uses what's most comfortable with what she's gonna wear.
Anyway......... she went from being incapacitated & on sick leave, to working normally without much back pain at all (she doesn't complain much at all now). She doesn't have to rely on anything but the magnets. Swears by them. She's careful; about lifting and straining her back, but does all the normal grocery shop , clothes shopping .,shoe buying , etc- & carrying the packages home, that any one else can do.
Says its all about the magnets & the docs just scratch their heads (and don't have any answers).
Voilà! Magic! After about the 1st week she felt some improvement. Then gradual improvement until she doesn't even think about her back- but has a magnet therapy on her feet and back every day. Jury still out ? Not for her !
She even became a 'distributor' (costs about $100 to the Nikkon 'people')so she could get more at cost for family & friends- never 'sold' just took orders and they repaid her. She hasn't done that for a year or two. But she's been wearing those danged magnets for about 5 years, now. Just "swears by 'em".