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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: JoannaP79 on November 16, 2017, 01:58:03 AM

Title: Burning spine and chest
Post by: JoannaP79 on November 16, 2017, 01:58:03 AM
I'm having an horrific pain flare which is out of this world. I feel I can hardly breathe with the severity of it. I have started plaquenil and been on 1 week. I have also had one injection of enbrel which I had Sunday. Is it possible things have got even worse because of one or both of the meds? How do you know if it's from that?
The pain is agonising. I also have alot of cognitive issues and feel out of it.
I am desperate beyond words for some respite. Has anyone with significant neuropathies and pain had a short dose of steroids and has it helped?

I do have disc degeneration issues, exactly how bad in spine outside of cervical spine I don't know. I am desperate for relief. My entire body but mostly spine is burning and firing off in abject agony.
Title: Re: Burning spine and chest
Post by: Kristian on November 16, 2017, 07:27:19 AM
I use prednisone regularly for when my nerve pain gets out of control in a flare-up.  I try to only use for a week at a time for when things get really bad, it definitely helps me though.  Doctor ha s astanding prescription for me to feel as needed.

Usually time and limiting my activities helps to calm things down.   Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Burning spine and chest
Post by: irish on November 16, 2017, 06:58:56 PM
I am going through disc issues and finished my MRIs and EMT testing just recently. I see the neurosurgeon on Monday. I have C5 stenosis and and miserable. I am concerned about your symptoms as they sound more like a disc stenosis or compression. The symptoms are very similar to mine. I am not a doctor but I am of the opinion that you should see a doctor and have scans. When you feel electrical zaps in your upper body and spine there is something going on that needs to be checked out. Leaving stenosis go can result in paralysis.

The problem is we don't know just how bad off we are if we don't get further testing./ I am having numbness in hands and arms and having a lot of pain..My walking has gotten unsteady and weakness in legs is setting in. Good luck. Irish
Title: Re: Burning spine and chest
Post by: cccourt1942 on November 17, 2017, 08:01:21 AM
Joanna...you specifically stated burning spine AND chest.  I am going to mention costochondritis and you can look it up.  I must say if you are in the pain you describe, my first stop would be the ER for pain injection. They cannot prescribe the prednisone you need for the inflammation...but your MD can do that.

Good luck,
c3
Title: Re: Burning spine and chest
Post by: irish on November 17, 2017, 08:34:51 PM
Just a reminder that electrical zaps in the spine are of significance and doc must be told. Irish
Title: Re: Burning spine and chest
Post by: angeldancer on November 18, 2017, 01:00:32 AM
Finding out the exact degeneration in the spine is very important.  I am working on that now.  I have the degeneration but they have to figure out where its coming from.  Prednisone helps a lot when things get out of control.  I try not to use prednisone unless I have cried three days straight.  I know that sounds strange but on the third day I can tell if I will be going through for a while.  Tell your doctor exactly what the pain is like and let him/her do the testing needing. 

Good thoughts,
Angel dancer
Title: Re: Burning spine and chest
Post by: irish on November 18, 2017, 03:55:55 PM
I Get it angel dancer, I am trying to pack up to drive to my sons tomorrow and he will take me to neurosurgeon. The good thing is the neck pain is not badm, yet but it is getting worse. The bad thing is the electrically charges that  go through back, arms and side of face when I cough or sneeze plus the really bad arm, hand pain., The thumb pain is unbelievable and keeps me up at night. Then the lower back and hardly able to walk plus the incontinence. I do't remember ever being anxious to have surgery to get something fixed. I wo't be on here much cause I take my laptop with me and really have trouble typing on there when I can't feel. Good luck to all. Irish