Arthritis in my spine

I will 2nd the notion of pushing to get an MRI done. Numbing down the legs is a sign of classic sciatica...which is likely being caused by nerve compression in the lumbar spine. It could be disc-related (herniation or bulge)...but there are other conditions that can cause nerve compression...such as a vertebral slippage, spinal stenosis, I would even hazard a guess that arthritis could be a culprit, too. But yeah, a simple x-ray will not show disc problems or nerve compression. An x-ray WILL show a vertebral slippage (this is what I have), but if that was not mentioned when you were given your x-ray results, then you don't have that problem. Definitely get a 2nd opinion and insist on an MRI. If you do nothing about it, there is a chance of permanent nerve damage.

Edited by nscrbug 2009-07-24 8:21 PM

I would recommend you get to a rheumatologist (sp?) and determine if you actually have arthritis. Then you will have an idea as to how to attack this. Do not give up on trying to control the pain. There are dozens of ways to go about getting this worked out. Good luck.

I am sorry you are having so much pain.  I have Ankylosing Spondilitis (which is a chronicnflammatory arthritis that affects the spine),... my pain is at night and in the mornings.  The pain is very severe at times making it so I cannot sleep and generally results in me not even being able to hold myself upright first thing in the morning.... I have to have something to hold on to in order to support myself.  I have also had disc problems and as mentioned before, they don't show up on x-ray.

Whether it is disc or arthritis (and I am not a doctor) I would think that your first course of action would be to take an anti-inflammatory.  I have had the best results with Alleve.  When my pain is worst, I will take two before bed for a few nights and it will help some.  I have also taken a natural remedy that I purchase online called Lyprinol.  It also helps. 

Can you clarify something?  You stated "someone from my doctors office called me to let me know that I have arthritis in my spine. I asked if there was anything that could be done for the pain and numbness, she said no. I replied "you mean I just have to suck it up", to which she replied, yes."

Who stated the last part?  If not a Dr then get back and talk to the Dr directly.  I would get the MRI.  Either there is some detail missing or something doesn't sound right.