I am 60 years old, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 8 years ago. For the past week my lower back , mostly the left side has had excruciating pain. It hurts mostly when I stand up from sitting....or if I bend to pick up something. I seem to have some dull pain also in my legs. I went to my doctor last week and got an x-Ray...also a steroid shot in muscle on left hip. The pain is somewhat better...I can at least function now, but it is still there. Can the arthritis be the cause...this came on suddenly. I just got up from thr couch and it hit me. No lifting involved prior to incident. Coughing, sneezing or a sudden movement affects it.