I have suffered with osteoarthritis in full length of my spine. Now its in my knees.
The xrays show degeneration
I attended pain clinic for 6 years having injections in facet joints twice a year. They stopped having any effect so pain clinic signed me off as body had got too used to them.
So back to my dr for pain relief. After 6 yrs same story. Nothing eased pain from strongest fentanyl patches, morphine liquid, amatriptlin, all the way down to cocodamol.
Pain clinic was also involved with medication to no avail. Also went to an osteopath and acupuncture. I have a heat pad which fits from shoulder to waist. Only effect it has, it keeps me warm but does'nt relieve the constant aching and when flareups hit during night i walk around hoping pain will go away?
The good news is I am long retired so can rest at anytime. Now all i want is to find that elusive medication to ease the pain. Maybe in 2018 happy new year to you all.
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annietap40
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Hi there - I’ve only just been diagnosed with inflammatory osteoarthritis and I’m waiting to see a specialist in January. My GP mentioned a drug called “hydroxychloroquin” which she was going to ask the specialist to prescribe for me. I thought this may be a pain relief but of course not having started it yet I don’t actually know! Anyone else on here taking this and have any comments if it is an effective pain relief? Thank you.
Hi Mrs mac. Hydroxychoriquine is a medicine for suppressing the immune system usually prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis. I take it for a for a for of inflammatory alopecea so I assume it's to reduce inflammation.
Well lucky you is all I can say annietap40. I spent over 50.years of pain, you name it I've been put though it, it would take forever to fil in all the details, but now I am end of my tether so much pain in every joint, I am totally fed up exhausted up to the hilt. I need to see my Doctor but what is the point when GP,s Consultants tell you there is nothing we can do for you, there are things we can offer you! but no grantees so on one's head be it as the hospital take no responsibility, after a number of operations that now have terminated in so much pain I am at my wits end.
I agree. I am lucky. But how you have managed for almost a lifetime makes me realise what a brave and strong lady you are.
I agree with your experiences of drs and consultants. I get the same comments so dint bother going.
Reason i'm finding harder to cope is fulltime carer for my 93 yr hubby who has dementia and terminal cancer. But hey ho. One day at a time and have such a supportive family.
annietap40. Thank you for your reply, but I am a (Mr) not a lady but I take my hat of to people like you tour life cannot be easy, but you seem philosophical about things, puts my life into perspective? But still doesn't take my pain away its so warring, but thank you and bless you. Bob.
Have you tried gel injections? Ask your doctor to refer you to the Orthopaedic Dept. One gel injection in right knee gave me 11months of pain free living.
Also have you tried Turmeric it’s a natural anti inflammatory spice, when mixed with coconut oil, black pepper and water and simmered for about 7 minutes then left to cool. Totally natural, known to thousands as a Golden Paste it’s one of nature’s successes. People take it and it’s also used for arthritic pain in animals, cats, dogs even horses.
It can be bought in tablet form but I’ve not found the tablets to be as good as Golden Paste.
There is a Turmeric group on FaceBook called Turmeric User Group UK were you can get loads of information and chat to sufferers like yourself.
Hermes123. Hi Oldgirl, you look like a slip of a youngster to me, Turmeric does nothing for me, as a thousand and one other things do not, a lot of it has to do with metabolism, Needles do nothing, Hydro therapy just spreads the pain as does exercise, I tried Tai Chi cannot keep my balance, Radionics, swinging pendulums, physiotherapy last about three weeks then wears off chair aerobics increases the pain have a job to stand afterwards, lotions and potions, green lip muscle, the rack, yes I could go on forever I am warn out by it all. Hermes.
If all else has failed, it is worth looking at an alternative approach. An osteopath friend has been studying brain training techniques - we know that the brain can register pain which does not exist (phantom pain in amputees) and can also block pain eg when survival needs override (WW2 pilots who landed planes without pain tho seriously injured). These techniques help us to get our brains to reduce pain. My arthritis is not as severe as most of yours (yet!!) but I have found the techniques helpful eg I can come downstairs without any pain now, and can reduce pain when walking.
Amanda_iona.Thank you so much for the link, I am going to check it out later in the day, I have had a quick peep and it looks very interesting. I have suffered for years and years, so lets hope I can find another way of putting my brain to work. Thank you. Bob
Thank you for this info I will go to the site - try anything I can to beat it!
hi , its not quite the same but pain is pain . i was housebound with a bulging disc sat on the nerves of my left leg whilst also have arthritis in my left knee . i was prescribed pregabalin which over 3 years has worked . it involves opening the veins to allow the blood to flow more quickly and freely . not sure it would help your problems . i still have pain but not as severe .
Hi there....I can honestly say acupuncture has been an amazing help to me with the polymyalgia. When I first went I was so bad I couldn't even get on the bed. BUT and it's a big but it really does depend on the therapist.
Hi Barbara. I have spinal deterioration - osteoarthritis - symptoms, a dull aching from top to bottom. Sometimes flare ups really bad, other times not so. Because I have been on so many different types of medication for many years, my body is now totally intolerant. I therefore have to live with it. I will enquire about having acupuncture. Anything that helps to ease this debilating pain. Thankyou for sharing your experiences.
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