Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips How do you deal with lower back/stomach spasms?

Hi Irish and thanks for coming out of the dark .

I've had AS for several years and it shows in my posture but the spasm attacks have only begun over the last 3 years - I've had four episodes in that time (always at night) and what worries me is that the last two were within four weeks of each other and since the most recent one 9 days ago there is always the threat of a recurrence - I move about like a tortoise doing tai chi. They are the worst thing about AS for me too as I do lead a relatively normal-ish life otherwise. Heat has helped me to some extent though it is really mind over matter that stops the cramping which lasts for about 5 hours or so. Finding a breathing pattern that stops the cramps helps. And sometimes just swearing at it does too

The second episode was initially treated with muscle relaxants which completely blew my stomach out - imagine having to run to the toilet half a dozen times a day when it takes you 20 minutes to just get out of bed - not a lot of fun. When I told the doc he asked me to carry on taking them as h said that was the only thing that would help the muscles relax. I finally stopped them completely and turned to physiotherapy and acupuncture which helped over a period of four weeks (I was lucky as I was in India then and both the physiotherapist and acupuncture/pressure chap would make house calls. Going out was impossible as I had to take an ambulance to get to the hospital and see a doctor).

As you can imagine I'm scared of muscle relaxants since then as gastric trouble also aggravates my AS on my lumbar vertebrae - I believe that the second episode I had this month was triggered by the stomach's response to all the meds I had been taking.

Thanks for the tip though. One thing I've realised after reading various posts on this site is that this wretched condition differs from person to person. I've decided to take my exercises seriously from now on. Also have to quit smoking and have begun the no starch diet (as of yesterday). I've also begun drinking ginger tea as I read that it is a very effective anti-inflammatory without the side effects associated with NSAIDs. Am also reading upon anti-inflammatory diets and plan to start on that. I really don't want to be hit by another spasm attack ever again if I can help it.

Take care Irish and thanks once again. Stay on top of the game and keep up the good fight.

Hi Irish and thanks for coming out of the dark smile.

I've had AS for several years and it shows in my posture but the spasm attacks have only begun over the last 3 years - I've had four episodes in that time (always at night) and what worries me is that the last two were within four weeks of each other and since the most recent one 9 days ago there is always the threat of a recurrence - I move about like a tortoise doing tai chi. They are the worst thing about AS for me too as I do lead a relatively normal-ish life otherwise. Heat has helped me to some extent though it is really mind over matter that stops the cramping which lasts for about 5 hours or so. Finding a breathing pattern that stops the cramps helps. And sometimes just swearing at it does too smile

So with you there! I'm a third dan, navvy swearing master,

I've had AS for as long as I can remember, long before the doctors ever confirmed it. I guess I was the ultimate teenage Asskicker - in my neck of the woods anyway.

It reflected in my posture too. In the last few years I've lost half an inch in height and I'm pissed - I needed that half inch, it helped me lord it over my elder sister. *mutter. mutter*


The second episode was initially treated with muscle relaxants which completely blew my stomach out - imagine having to run to the toilet half a dozen times a day when it takes you 20 minutes to just get out of bed - not a lot of fun.

Oh yeah, been there, wish I had worn the nappy. (As did hubby) Didn't your dr give you tabs for your tummy upset? Jeeze, every tab they've ever given me has screwed up my insides. I figured that the pain and constant sickness was worth it, when I could make it to the loo on my own two feet, turn my neck, simple, stupid things that others took for granted.

I finally stopped them completely and turned to physiotherapy and acupuncture which helped over a period of four weeks (I was lucky as I was in India then and both the physiotherapist and acupuncture/pressure chap would make house calls. Going out was impossible as I had to take an ambulance to get to the hospital and see a doctor).

As you can imagine I'm scared of muscle relaxants since then as gastric trouble also aggravates my AS on my lumbar vertebrae - I believe that the second episode I had this month was triggered by the stomach's response to all the meds I had been taking.

I know you're scared, but every tablet I've ever taken for this freaking illness has spawned a resulting stomach tab. I'm still taking one to this day.As will you, as will all of us until we find our "happy medium."

Weight it up, mate - severe cramps or tummy upset? Hmmmmmmm *Where's the little scale weighing smilie when you want it.


Thanks for the tip though. One thing I've realised after reading various posts on this site is that this wretched condition differs from person to person. I've decided to take my exercises seriously from now on. Also have to quit smoking and have begun the no starch diet (as of yesterday). I've also begun drinking ginger tea as I read that it is a very effective anti-inflammatory without the side effects associated with NSAIDs. Am also reading upon anti-inflammatory diets and plan to start on that. I really don't want to be hit by another spasm attack ever again if I can help it.

Ooooh, I gave up smoking last Feb 'cause hubby had a heart attack (yes, I love him, but it's my smokes and I love them too. ) I haven't exercised in such a long time - breathing, has been the height of my exercise. I miss my cigs, but it's the right thing to do. I know it, but it still pisses me off, big time, because that's not my choice.

Take care Irish and thanks once again. Stay on top of the game and keep up the good fight.

You too. It's so nice to have people to talk to, to bounce stuff off.

I hope I've helped, or, at least, not hindered.

Hugs

Oooh, begging here.... how do you "quote" in a reply to show anothers post? I've done it in bold here, but I'm guessing that's wrong - sorree


Still learning, smiling, and happy to be here.

Welcome Irish, to KA. Glad you decided to stop lurking and join the conversations. From your first couple of posts, it looks as though you're going to enjoy being here as much as the rest of us.

Sorry you've got AS, though

Hi sue,
Thank you.

Regards.
JAY

Hi Jay,
Thank you.
regards.
JAY

hi irish, sorry for the delay. just been trying to stay on top of this thing.

talking about early as kicker it began for me when i was 11 but was ony properly diagnosed when i was 30! initially it was treated as rheumatoid arthritis. and talking about losing height, i think i have lost almost 3 inches! leaves my sis and mom taller than me!

regarding a bad stomach, i really can't afford that as it aggravates my back - a vicious circle or what? currently drink 3-4 cups of ginger tea as ginger is supposed to be a good anti-inflammatory. still waiting for results though have also completely given upstrach as well as sugar. the cigarettes are the one i still need to beat.

just waiting for this flare up to subside. it has been more than 6 weeks since i have been to work!

regarding nsaids there is a good one called etoricoxib which is a lot easier on the stomach though it needs to be taken with caution if you have any heart ailment.

about te quotes, i really don't know how. i'm new here too - can't figure out how to upload my picture either. will work it out down the line.

cheers and do stay well. we can beat this thing. klebsiella - get thee hence!

btw jay, there is a doctor in Chennai who might be able to help you. I mention this as you live in Tamil Nadu - he only takes on patients who are able to see him regularly over 4-8 weeks. his name is dr krishna raman and he can be reached at 0044-24400980. good luck

jay

hi irish, sorry for the delay. just been trying to stay on top of this thing.

Me too, haven't been on in a while either - sorry.

talking about early as kicker it began for me when i was 11 but was ony properly diagnosed when i was 30! initially it was treated as rheumatoid arthritis. and talking about losing height, i think i have lost almost 3 inches! leaves my sis and mom taller than me!

You sound like my twin. Did you have the "growing pains too?" Those gnawing pains that woke you in the middle of the night?

I think my AS began when I was 11 - after a bad fall on the horse in gymnastics. I was diagnosed at, yes, 30 (see, twins - getting scared now.) but was told later that women don't get AS.

That knocked me for 6. A really bad time.

In that 'bad time' I had my second baby and I found out that I wasn't a wimp at all. I almost missed the hospital and giving birth in a nice clean ward because I was waiting for it to be agony.

Hello! AS, when it is bad, is on par with labour.

regarding a bad stomach, i really can't afford that as it aggravates my back - a vicious circle or what? currently drink 3-4 cups of ginger tea as ginger is supposed to be a good anti-inflammatory. still waiting for results though frown have also completely given upstrach as well as sugar. the cigarettes are the one i still need to beat.

It sounds like you're doing everything you can. This place seems ok, somewhere to find out what works and what doesn't, a place to ask questions and have them answered - go figure.


regarding nsaids there is a good one called etoricoxib which is a lot easier on the stomach though it needs to be taken with caution if you have any heart ailment.


I live in the UK, we have different tabs: I'm on Arthrotec75, Lansoprazole,for my stomach, Baclofen for the cramps,Mtx and Humira for everything else OOOh yeah, and Co-Codamol 30/500

Perhaps we are related - some 6 generations ago an Irishman figured on our family tree Where in the UK are you? The reason I ask is that I visit Kent often.

I can't say I remember any gnawing, growing pains. Used to wake up with a stiff neck quite often though I always felt that had to do with my sleeping on the couch.

My initial signs of AS (in retrospect) were a very swollen toe and then a huge throbbing knee. That was what the docs thought was RA and treated me for.

Then when I was 16 I had a fall when I hauled myself out of the water and into a boat I fell backwards and landed on some oxygen tanks which really really hurt. That lasted a little while and shortly after that I was back in the water with only a mild reminder of what had happened. It lasted like that through the rest of the day and when I woke up the next morning I couldn't move - the pain was so bad. Wound up in hospital for a few days and had various tests and investigations done but no one could spot anything.

The pain recurred every once in a long while - usually when there was a weather change and would leave me bedridden sometimes. Saw a host of docs who tried a host of things but couldn't figure anything out until I was 30 and I chanced upon a doctor who tentatively diagnosed me based on my description of what I was feeling.

Since then it has been downhill in fits and starts but what the heck, life's great. Btw - insert drum roll here - I started back at work yesterday! After close on 7 weeks off! And I am feeling a lot better though I tiptoe around any indication of a spasm flaring up - mostly at nights when I go to bed.

Have been completely starch free for 8 days and I think that might have done the trick because the inflammation on my spine finally went down and stayed down - touch wood at this point - unlike the back and forth with the NSAIDs. This is a great site and there are good people on who understand what we are going through - you for one know what my cramps are like though I can't say I've ever experienced labour pains.

I miss pasta and pizza and potatoes and good crusty bread and toast and doughnuts and bananas and burgers but I don't miss the pain and helplessness so it's a payoff I'm willing to make for life if that's what it takes.

That Co-Codamol 30/500 sounds like fun. Let me look it up

I hate to say this (some women will disagree with me) but I think the pains of inflammatory arthritis are WAY worse than labour pains.