Nerve pain & Arthritis

[BethRidout24]

Hi All,

It’s been a while since I’ve been on here but I had a few questions relating to inflammatory arthritis. I have been on hydroxychloriquine for about 5 months now. It seems to be subsiding a majority of the pain over time as well as stiffness but in the last few weeks I’ve been suffering terribly with nerve nerve pain from my cervical spine and my sciatic nerve. I thought maybe I’d overdone it with exercise however it’s been very persistent and painful (especially the sciatic pain) even with massage treatment, heat and ice. I’m wondering if my arthritis is having an inflammatory affect on my nerves or causing compression as It seems to coincide with a flare up. It’s starting to get me down as the pain keeps me up nightly and makes the day uncomfortable. I do like to workout regularly but I’ve eased off massively just so I don’t cause any damage.

Any thoughts on if this could be my arthritis and what can I do to help it?

Stretching and heat seem to only work temporarily and anti inflammatory products are out of bounds as they make me feel unwell on top of my current medication.

T.I.A

[Emmeline3]

Hello BethRidout24! Feel it for you having had crippling nerve and joint pain in the past. Pain so much settled currently. Exercising/ walking gradually building it up is part of the recovery journey. Warm baths and self massage; TENS machine; regular pain relief when symptoms flare up and being kind to yourself is important.

Chronic pain is isolating. Covid restrictions don’t help. Can you join a Zoom exercise/support group? Humour is good medicine, and also I find distraction activities including making things, writing and crafting. Prayer, yoga and meditation help focus the mind body and soul. Believe things can and will improve. X

[katieoxo60]

Hello BethRidout24, Have you tried ringing the help line for advice they are very supportive. I have found the best for some pain is heat pads , and massage . Massage does strengthen the muscles to allow more use. But nerve pain is often difficult to treat other than with strong pain killers. I just got a brochure for a thing called Arthro choc supposed to even work on Gout pain can remove pain within two weeks it says , but I have tried others like that and no joy why would this be different I wonder. Claims to reduce inflammation. Hope you soon find something that works for you ,best wishes .