Karen, welcome to KA!!!
You sure do have alot of questions and you have come to the right place to get some answers. Truthfully, we all become overwhelmed with questions when we're diagnosed.
Indocin really is a treat isn't it. Not. Laid me flat on my back, unable to move, unable to eat, and with noxious diahrrea after only two pills. Needless to say, I didn't stay on it. I'm on vioxx now, which seems to be working. But man, I would love to get onto one of the biologics that are out now. Just have to wade through the insurance company hash to get one of them approved. Which means taking NSAIDS and Cox 2s for a while and wrecking my stomach first.
Should I have an MRI?
Yes, or a bone scan, which will show exactly where any inflammation exists in your body.
• Are my back spasms from the Fybromyalgia or the AS?
It is entirely possible that the spasms are from your AS. The summer before my diagnosis, I was wakened sometimes four or five times a night by massive muscle spasms originating in my left torso (under the oblique muscle). It was quite awful.
• I have purchased a good multi-vitamin, Zyflamend, Fish Oil pills, and a combo pill contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Any comments on these? Anything else I should consider taking?
A good calcium/magnesium supplement is necessary. Also, I would look at MSM, which is a tissue rebuilder.
• Should I be on a low starch diet? Any other diet plan of use?
Many of us have found that restricting or eliminating starches from our diets is helpful. For myself, I no longer eat wheat or cow dairy, as I have found that these put me into flare (especially when consumed together
). Check out the NSD forum for good information. And remember that, while it's definitely worth a try, it doesn't work for everyone. It all depends on the individual. You may notice that you need less meds. or that you don't need them at all after a while. Or, you may notice no difference at all.
• Should I consider physical therapy?
Yes, or a really good exercise/stretching programme.
• I can’t sleep due to the pain. I have tried zanaflex and one other (can’t remember the name). I am still not sleeping very well at all. Is there really such thing as a magic air or foam bed?
I have an amazing mattress that has made sleeping much easier (although, I'm a restless sleeper period and there isn't much I can do about that right now). My matress is a no name tempurpedic type matress. It's like sleeping on a cloud and I don't know how I ever survived without it. Some have had luck with air mattresses as well. It's worth looking into.
When it comes to drugs before bed, I smoke a little pot. Just enough to relax my muscles.
• Is there any form of exercise that is better than others? How about Pilates?
I swear by pilates, actually. It focusses on strengthening the core abdominal muscles so that they can do their job properly, which is to support our backs. I do matt work only and it has been extremely beneficial for me.
You migh also look at specialized swimming programmes for people with arthritis. Heated pool is best. Swimming is one of the best things we can do.
Walk. Walk. Walk. This is so important on so many different levels.
I also take a Flamenco dance class. Again, it's focus on free moving hips and strong upper back is so good. I can go into a class feeling like death warmed over and come out feeling strong and relaxed.
• Will the pain throttle back at some point?
Yes. Maybe not completely, or maybe completely. But you won't always be in the pain you are in now. It's a matter of learning about your disease, how it affects you and finding the right combination of exercise, diet and drugs for you. It will take time and patience, but I promise, you won't always feel this badly.
• Are there any books or groups I should know about?
You've already found the best group there is!!!!
Hugs,
Kat
