Advice required on osteoarthritis

[Ang159]

Hi im new here and have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis since i was approximately 32 it started with my knee which i injured when i was 18 and required operation when 21. I was then diagnosed with spondylosis in my neck and have arthritis in my lower spine. I have then had problems with my shoulder and been diagnosed with rotator cuff disorder and tear in tendon/musvle 2 years ago and now have arthritis in my hip with a hip impingement. I have only had xrays and test on my knee, shoulder and hip but have never had any xrays or test for my back and neck is this normal or do i need to insist on having test done?

I am unable to take some medication due to reaction that i have had including

Brufen based medication

Codine

Tramadol

Amitryptiline

And a few others that i cant remember at the moment, i am currently on gabapentin but am having quite a few of the side effects and have been advised to persevere with it but i am having to take sick days at work due to them.

Any advice on any alternative medication with fewer side effects would be appreciated?

[Mog1967]

Magnesium oil, Frankincense oil and Boswelia Extract and Curcumin have helped me. I have been recently diagnosed with OA, mainly in the knees. Some days joint pain is worse than others. Applying oils topically to your joints throughout the day and stretching significantly helps. Good Luck

[Birchy]

Hi Ang159

I too have OA in my neck, very severe in my lower spine and after an op on my left foot to remove a lump last year the consultant wrote to say all ok with the lump just a cyst but evidence of OA in my left foot and I definitely have it now in my toes on my right foot that has given me a lot of pain this Winter along with my lower spine.

I have Tramadol but they "space me out" and I feel I am not in control!!! Last year I was nearly knocked down as I stepped out into the path of a bright red car that I never saw!!!! I'm in cuckoo land on them!! So after going to pain management and being told that ALL PAIN KILLERS ARE ONLY 50% EFFECTIVE I try not to bother with any!!!!

I am very frightened as to what all these pills are doing to my stomach. After taking them for 2/3 days I cannot go to the loo and all codeine tablets affect me after 1 day so don't bother with them.

I try and keep warm and wear very thick socks but am frightened of the Winter gas bill and what that will be!!!! It's soooo hard to do the right thing.

I've got the message now that there is no cure for OA and it's all about managing the pain but for me tablets are not the cure as I feel they do more harm than good. So next Winter I am looking at going to warmer climes if I can afford to as all the healthcare professionals tell me it will do me no end of good!!!!

I would keep going back to your GP until between you you can find a drug that really helps and has as little side effect as possible because this is not going to go away.

I hope you get sorted soon and really sympathise with you. It's not nice living in constant pain!!!!

Kind regards.

[Gigi71]

As part of my treatment for rheumatoid arthritis I take naproxen, I also have osteo in my lower back with a curvature of the spine and other problems. If I forget to take the naproxen my back is unbearable. I am unable to take any opiate type drugs, am waiting for a referral to a pain clinic with hopefully injections. Also as much as possible I try to do exercises. Hopefully you will find something to help you. X