Hi. My OA is giving me real pain these days, particular in upper spine, into neck and right shoulder. Due to asthma have been told to try and not take cocodamol too much. Its taki g me at least 30 mins to get out of bed, and moving is excruciating.
Anyone any suggestions. I will try to see a GP bit atm it is so difficult to get an appointment.
I have similar problems Keith's. The neck and middle back pain includes associated pain going down my left arm. I am taking co codamol and started doing some neck exercises to see if it helps with the pain. I hope members will reply to your post with some suggestions.
I’d certainly suggest you have a chat with the pharmacist for pain relief suggestions
My husband who suffers from after-effects of having ankylosing spondylitis as a teenager (now 78) was given this advice on getting out of bed
1. Ensure your first painkiller of the day is by bedside with glass of water when you go to bed
2. Take this when you wake.
3. While waiting for it to kick in, gently move all your joints starting from toes and going up. Slowly and carefully. Take your time.
4. When you’ve got to the top relax sixty seconds and start again with the gentle movement. Then relax again really sinking into your mattress. Then do it again. Maybe take a timer with you to time your relaxation: so that you can really relax and not keep checking.
5. By this time your pain killer should be working and you are feeling better!!
Give it a try and after a week post again and let us know how you get on.
Thanks for the advice
Sorry to hear your pain is very bad, I have been finding this in the current changeable weather doubled up my creams , more heat and ice packs give a little releif. May be you need to see the GP for pain releif reveiw. Good luck.
Hi Keith I recognise your problems. I have OA and Gout and also have Asthma and COPD. I too have been prescribed Cocodamol which unfortunately I cannot tolerate as the Codeine makes me sick, but I strongly advise you to keep taking these an stick to the dosage, not more than 2 tablets more than 4 times a day. I also take Ibuprofen along with paracetamol although I know Ibuprofen is not recommended for Asthma sufferers, taken in moderation I find it helps and does not affect my Asthma. I too have great difficulty with sleeping so I can on ly tell you how I alleviatenthis and hope it helps you. First, if you have a shower, have one before bed as hot as you can bear on your neck, shoulders and back.Take to bedwith you 2 hot water bottles an 2 of your tablets. I have one bottle on m y neck and shoulders and the other on the small of my back Please make certain all the air is out of the bottles and the stoppers on tight. Drink the green tea and take 2 of your tablets. Please makemsure you have had a little snack before you take your medication last thing and also first thing. Taking painkillers on an empty stomach is asking for trouble and the last thing you need is trouble with your stomach. I have stiffness when I get out of bed but not the difficulty you are experiencing. I am doing little exercises throughout the day for exammple when I am waiting for the kettle to boil I hold on to the counter top and lift up each leg to the side alernatively. Sitting doen watching TV do twists from left to right from the waist and exercise your arms and by all means do exrcises with your neck. I find it helps to keep me mobile and I do n ot expect the pain to be eradicated entirely but it helps Theworstn thing people in our position is sit around until our joints stiffen so mjuch we become wheelchair bound. I do wish you all the best and hope this helps you, then again we are all different aren't we? XX ps I am 89 so I could write a book on the subject. pps nearly forgot, many people take turmeric tablets for relief (I do) but if you are a curry afficionado you could skip them!
princess, a very helpful reply! I don't do hot water bottles but except in the hottest weather use an electric blanket.
And rock on the exercises! There are some helpful ones for "older people" on the NHS website.
Try wearing polo neck jumper in bed. Also Bob and Brad on YouTube have exercises for every part of the body and they are very experienced. You may find the jargon a bit trying, but do not be put off by it.
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Afraid of side effects
