Learning the Ropes

[leonardhughes]

I am having tremendous amount of lower back pain. Is there anyone else out there experienced this kind of thing. I am also having problems with circulation lately. My hands and feet are falling asleep on a regular basis, and I wake up with them numb. ( I sleep on my back with my hands on my chest.)
Could anyone tell me how the exhaustion effects them. I am still trying to understand the full extent of it. I don't know if I'm getting enough sleep or if its the lupus. I am always second guessing myself, i.e. Is it the Lupus or is it in my head? Does anyone else understand that?
I could go on forever, but I will end with this. Has anyone had real problems emotionally with this. Not questioning your manhood or anything, but just putting you all over the spectrum. Losing sleep, doubting your previous ability, wanting to prove yourself to yourself....

Just looking to vent...Thank you all for being here

[helloos]

Hello there.

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling bad and stressed at the moment.

I do get lower back pain. I guess if this pain is different for you and you haven't had it looked at, maybe it would be worth going to get it checked out. For me, the pain settles on the bottom of the spine almost into the buttocks in the middle. I guess it is the lower spine area. Whenever I have a fever, the worst pain goes there, etc.

As for the hands and feet. I also get that and assumed it is from Reyauds. I wake up at night and my hand will be numb. It could also be from carpel tunnel, but I don't think I have that. I know the circulation problem can cause this.

If you haven't already had this investigated by your doctor, I would definitely mention it to them.

I don't think that anything is in your head. These things are happening. If you feel tired, maybe rest a little more and try to pace yourself with things you do during the day. Are you getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night? If you are not sleeping, maybe you need a little something to help you dose off.

I have emotional problems with this. Do I have, even though they say, what if it is something else, what if something happens, I am not the same as before, I want to get better, i am sick of being sick, I am sick of not doing what I could do before because my brain wants to but my body doesn't.......it goes on and on..... it stresses you out and then you don't feel good because of it. We all need to learn how to destress and try to get rest and do things that will unwind you. We all have to try not to look to much into the future as no one, even healthy ones, know what will happen. We each need to stay in today, try to enjoy today, try to pamper ourselves, at least one time a day, and rest when we have to, jump when we can, laugh and cry.

You are not alone. Your feelings are normal. People here will tell you also. It is a rollercoaster. Sometimes you will feel good about things, other times, look out >>>>>>>>

Last night, I was such in a bad mood, there is a swear for it, but won't say here. Everyone noticed it. I thought, why am I acting this way. I laughed at myself and said this is ridiculous behavior. There was no reason for it...I guess just emotions....... they go off and on like a light switch.

hang in there...you aren't crazy.... you will feel better............... believe in that.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/Lost_InThoughts/Bears/bearholdingrose.gif

[thomas]

Hi there,
Just before I finished work for the day, I work in an office, I thought I would have a little look at the boards, and came across your letter.

I have no answers for you I'm afraid, but your letter particularly interested me because for the last four days I have had horrendous back pain, it comes on halfway through the day, (just where Paula says hers is) and it is really painful, also I have awoken every night for the last four nights with dead achy hands and arms aching, my shoulder is also giving me a lot of pain.

I think I must be going through a flare, maybe you are too.

If my problem keeps on I will go to see my doctor, I am sorry that I have no help to offer you, but I thought it sometimes helps to know other people are in a similar situation as yourself.

Thinking of you,
Take care,
Heather

[Douglas]

> I am always second guessing myself, i.e. Is it the Lupus or is it in my head? Does anyone else understand that?

VIVIDLY! Perhaps I am rejoicing in having been diagnosed because I can "blame it on the wolves". The symptoms began for me over 30 years ago and I have spent all that time with the maddening second guessing, not only about the pain/breathing/fatique/whatever but over decisions and even things I say to people, especially my wife. As I am sure you know, pain is exhausting. Add to that the fatigue that comes with lupus even when there is no great pain and I suspect we are all nuts much of the time. I have a great support in being a member of an Emotions Anonymous group. Does that mean I never have the anxiety of second guessing? <loud chortling laughter here please>. Still get it but know what ot do about it. Among other htings, that back pain is not in my head; it's in my back and I really do not care why it is there, I just want it to go away. Maybe the best lesson I have learned is not to ask "why" but just do what I need to. With the back pain I wait till it goes away, or almost so, which has taken weeks in the past, and then get onto the sit ups again. It seems to help but I was told not to exercise when the back is a mess. The upshot of all this is *you are not alone*!

[lullrich76]

Hi,

I just did a search for back pain and found this topic. I have been having back pain a lot and it is really painful. My lower back hurts and sometimes up my spine. Right now it hurts to sit up straight. I also get a stiff back and it sometimes hurts to stand up. I have also been waking up with pins and needles in my arms.

Since I was rear-ended in September, I am not sure if this is related to the car accident or UCTD. I had a follow-up appointment with the neurologist from the car accident and mentioned this to him. He ordered a x-ray of my back and an EMG nerve test to see if I have any nerve damage. He told me that the pins and needles could possibly be carpal tunnel and that is an early symptom.

Good luck and I hope you are feeling better!