Hi, my name is Barb_Ann! I'm trying to find others with the same symptoms

Barb_Ann
Barb_Ann Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited April 2022 in Neurological impairments and pain
Hello.  I am new to this community.  What brings me here today is trying to find others who have my symptoms and to discover what is actually causing my back pain and what are good solutions.  I am 67 years old now and had my first bout with upper back pain over 30 years ago.  I led a stressful life and probably took on more than I should have when I was younger.  My mother had MS, my sister has sarcoidosis, and now my youngest daughter has been diagnosed with an autoimmune kidney disease.  I have made numerous kidney stones in my life, both calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate.  I eat a mediterranean diet and drink loads of water every day.  Periodically I have upper back spasms that are excruciating.  If my kidney stones are 10, my back pain is much worse, 20!  I have learned to titrate hydrocodone, cyclobenzaprine, laying on ice, and using a TENS unit.  I was able to work until 2 years ago and finally had to retire as my back was continuously giving me trouble.  Recently, I am looking at PubMed and seeing if there are articles that connect autoimmune issues with back pain.  There is one condition I discovered, myositis, but that does not describe me very well.  Does anyone else have this or anything similar?  

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,793 Championing
    edited April 2022
    Hi @Barb_Ann -  & welcome to the community. I'm sorry for the problems you face, but unfortunately we can't give opinions on any perceived medical diagnosis.
    May I just suggest that there may be no link between your back pain & your youngest daughter's autoimmune disorder as there is also no known genetic link between you Mum's MS & your back pain either. This is a discussion you need to have with your GP or specialist to try & find out the cause of your back pain.
    You do seem to be doing all the right things with your diet, & keeping yourself adequately hydrated is also important.
    PubMed is a very useful medical database, but you need to be able to search appropriately, & also understand not just the abstracts, but also full papers, which may be challenging. Sarcoidosis 'may' have a genetic component, & some think it's also an autoimmune disorder; myositis doesn't appear to have a genetic component, so I think you should address your concerns with your GP/specialist as I've mentioned to try & find out more. You seem to be looking for a genetic component, which may be the case, but perhaps not.

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