These lumps are constant muscle spasms that are always there. I had been asking since August and I was always told there was no need. In December he listened to me and sent me an MRI.
The MRI showed that my cervical spine has straightened when it is supposed to be curved. This is why I have constant spasms. I only found this out at the start of this year. The spasms differ from day-to-day. Some days they are manageable, and I can get on with my day. Other days, they are so intense that I am afraid of them. I am afraid to move, turn my neck, lift my arms as movement may make them worse.
They cause horrible headaches. On bad days, the spasm will travel up my neck and then down to my lower back. My whole back, or more usually, one side of my back and neck will be in constant spasm for hours. And sometimes my legs. When this happens, I need to limit my movements and activity levels. I will try gentle stretching exercises, but I always end up aggravating the spasm.
The only thing I have found to temporarily stop the spasm is to take diazepam. This is highly addictive so I can't be on this long term.
Normally, I get a week's prescription of 5mg of diazepam every four months. I constantly think, there must be something else to help them. Sulfasalazine , methotrexate , tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, and secukinumab or ixekizumab. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs In some cases, treating the underlying disorder eliminates or minimizes the pain.
In some people, sulfasalazine or methotrexate may help relieve the pain in joints other than those of the back. The tumor necrosis factor inhibitors etanercept , adalimumab , infliximab , golimumab , and certolizumab pegol effectively relieve back pain and inflammation. Secukinumab , an interleukinA receptor antagonist, can also reduce inflammation and joint symptoms.
Ixekizumab , another interleukin inhibitor, is used for active ankylosing spondylitis. The long-range goals of ankylosing spondylitis treatment are to maintain proper posture and develop strong back muscles. Daily exercises strengthen the muscles that oppose the tendency to bend and stoop.
It has been suggested that people spend some time each day—often while reading—lying on their stomach propped up on their elbows because this position extends the back and helps to keep the back flexible. Corticosteroid eye drops and dilating eye drops may help in the short-term treatment of inflammation of the eyes that comes and goes, and an occasional corticosteroid injection may be helpful for 1 or 2 joints other than the spine. Muscle relaxants and opioid analgesics are occasionally used, but for only brief periods to relieve severe pain and muscle spasms.
If the hips become eroded or fixed in a bent position, surgical treatment to replace the joint can relieve pain and restore function. Because chest wall motion can be restricted, which impairs lung function, cigarette smoking, which also impairs lung function, is strongly discouraged.
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Common Health Topics. More Information. Joint Disorders. Test your knowledge. Reactive arthritis causes inflammation of the joints and the tendon attachments at the joints. Your eyes may also be sensitive to bright light. Rarely, ankylosing spondylitis flare-ups may affect the heart and lungs over time in some people. There are no known causes for ankylosing spondylitis.
Some people with ankylosing spondylitis may feel that their flare-ups have certain triggers. Knowing your triggers — if you have any — may help prevent flare-ups. An older medical study found that 80 percent of people with ankylosing spondylitis felt that stress triggered their flare-ups. I suggest swapping in this for the paragraph above: The duration and frequency of flare-ups vary among people with ankylosing spondylitis. One study followed people with AS for 3 months.
Seventy percent reported a flare-up in any given week, though a major generalized flare was only reported by 12 percent in any given week. Treatment will depend on what type of symptoms you experience and how severe they are. Here are some possible treatments to help during flare-ups:. Healthy lifestyle choices may also help manage flares. For example, regular exercise and physical therapy may help reduce pain and stiffness. People with ankylosing spondylitis who smoke are at higher risk of spine damage.
This condition also affects your heart. Take all medications exactly as prescribed to help prevent and soothe flare-ups. Your doctor may prescribe one or more medications that help to control inflammation. This may help prevent or ease flare-ups. Drugs used to treat ankylosing spondylitis include:. Any disorder or condition can lead to emotional symptoms. In the older medical study from , about 75 percent of people with ankylosing spondylitis reported that they felt depression, anger, and isolation.
Talk to your doctor about your emotions or seek the help of a mental health professional. Getting involved with a support group can help you feel in control of your treatment. Join an ankylosing spondylitis organization to keep up to date with new health research. Talk to other people with this condition to find the best way to manage ankylosing spondylitis for you. Your experience with ankylosing spondylitis flare-ups will not be the same as someone else with this condition.
Envelope icon Subscribe to our newsletter Get regular updates to your inbox. Your Email. Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Daily management of ankylosing spondylitis Some steps people with AS can take to help with the condition and maintain their quality of life include : Staying active and exercising to help ease the pain, maintain flexibility, and improve posture.
Exercise is one of the keystones of AS management. Practicing good posture to help avoid some of the problems related to AS, getting a suitable chair, a firm but not a too hard mattress, and pillows that can be molded to suit any position and give good neck support.
Close attention to posture, along with exercise, is very important to help keep the spine mobile and maintain a good quality of life. Applying heat and cold heating pads, hot baths, showers can ease pain and stiffness, and ice may help reduce swelling of inflamed areas. Eating well and healthy.
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