I have for the past year suffered Chronic back pain which has been and is AGONY! It has been going on since my Parkinson's Diagnoses, I am dying to know if there is any connections.
Has any one from the forum suffered the same thing, if so can they advice relief of any kind. Trinny

hi trinny,

Yes back pain and PD go together.

I have suffered back pain for the past 7 years? However in my experience a couple a paracetamol will do the job. Also avoid carrying heavy things like bags of shopping, if you can......

Hi trinny,
I also have chronic back pain.I was diagnosed in November.I now have a number of things which may make sense as they are probably attributed to pd.I went by ambulance high on gas and air 3 times in the summer and nothing could be found.I know how you feel.
All the best
Titan

Hi,

Unfortunately i've been told my back pain is due to change in gait from Parkinson's. The bottom of my spine is fusing so i'm now having intensive physio which is hard work but helping.

Your back pain maybe due to changes in your posture causing strain on your muscles and wear and tear. Perhaps a referral to physio may help

best wishes

Cutiepie

Dear Trinny,
As if you didn't have enough with PD to cope with!!!

Low, middle and high back/neck pains are usually due to some sort of stress that you are putting upon them and general wear and tear.

That may sound a bit harsh but it's good news in that it means that you can do something to help sort it out!!!

Several questions spring to mind which need answering before I can give any advice on what will hopefully help you. If you find them too personal, please feel free to email me the answers via the PDS in confidence. However, if you don't mind, it may help others who are going through a similar problem.

Just to put you in the picture, I'm a physiotherapist of 31 years, have had PD with hindsight for 12 years, diagnosed 3 1/2 yrs and back problems since student days!

1. Where abouts is the pain/agony? Left/right? At what level?

2. When is the pain worst? What have you been doing for the last 1/2 hour before that? (standing still, walking, sitting, lying or other).

3. Are you a bit over-weight/under-weight? Don't worry, I won't tell anybody!! LOL. Or have you lost/gained weight rapidly, recently?

4. Do you have the typical Parki posture of leaning forward when you stand and/or walk?

5. Does anything you do relieve the pain? (painkillers [which?], lying down, walking?)

6. Is there a history of back problems or arthritis in your immediate family? (siblings, parents?)

7. What work do you/did you do? *No need to go into details but posture-wise, sitting, lifting, driving etc.

8. What are your main/time consuming hobbies? See * above.

9. When you look at the bottom of your most used shoes, is the sole of one shoe more worn than the other? Which? ( L, R, inner or outer side.)

10. Do you fall asleep in the chair during the day/evening/night?

If you can get back to me with some of this info, I'll be better placed to suggest something that may well help.

Kind regards, Cecily.

Thanks cecily
what a fab questionaire thanks for you concern and prof help (I hope your genuine) because i have replied privately to you too! via the Forum safe Link
TRINNY

I am also suffering from lower back pain. It comes & goes & I don't seem to find what sparks it off. I can hardly move withit sometimes & then a few hours later it is much better. Lying in bed makes it worse & I have to get up & walk around to relieve it.I am having physio for it But every time I have gone to the physio it has been O.K. but 2 hours later at home it is bad again.
The physio has suggested a course of acupuncture so I will wait & see.
Thank you for your brilliant input Cecily It is very much appreciated & I have gone through the questionnaire.
Ceal

Thanks Cecily. My husband's back pain makes him completely immobile during the night and first thing in the morning. I am having to lift him out of bed various times during the night to go to the loo. Physio gave the best answer that it is muscular due to the wear and tear, etc of PD. Doctors had always said the back pain was unrelated. That never made sense to me. Paracetamol first thing in morning helps and by the time the PD drugs kick in and we have had breakfast he is much more mobile. However no-one seems willing to really help us with the mobility problems at night. It's now taking its toll on my back and joints. Occupational Therapy said they couldn't help so I have to get back to them for another 'fight'. They seemed prepared to allow us both to fall down stairs or in the bedroom before they will consider doing anything.

Hi Cecily,

Quote ~ When you look at the bottom of your most used shoes, is the sole of one shoe more worn than the other? Which? ( L, R, inner or outer side.)

Since being a child, I have noticed that my Left outer side of my sole is a lot more worn than the right sole. As it happens, my left side is the one mainly affected by Parkinson's. I am curious to know of what use this is to a physiotherapist when assessing a patient?

Cutiepie

hi i had back pain for quite a while before i went to the gp ,first i was told by gp it will be the way i walk ant helpin i put to much presure on the one leg and kinda twist me body ,so i cam e awya thinkin ok pd rite deal with it,time went on i could not cope so when i saw me neuro she took look at me then sent me for a scan ,it turned out in the end me bottom too verterbries and the 3 middle ones are on there way out rubbin and ive not long bin dx with sponderlytus arthritus of the spine as well.im not syin thats wot rong with ur back im just saying pd plays its toll with ur back ,and this is wot happined tome when i questioned it all.wot a shock agin it was ,now im dealin with it and have to walk with 2 sticks to keep me self up straight