Uncontrolled pain

[OliDivine]

Hi all.

New member here

I was wondering if anyone has suffered/ suffering from uncontrolled pain, hypersensitivity and joint aches and pains.

I seem to have 'flare ups' every month for 2-3 days where I am layed up in bed, my husband helps me in and out due to pain. My skin feels on fire, I feel weighted like I've been hit by a truck and struggling to move. Oddly my hands and feet feel swollen but to look at they aren't.

I don't exercise, I have an active 2.5 year old which when suffering a flare up feel like the worst parent in the world as I'm unable to have him even touch my skin!

How do people manage this? Any tips? Articles i can look at for help?

Medication wise I'm on tramadol 60mg 1x4 daily, gabapentin 100mg 1x4 daily and then full dose of paracetamol.

I'm awaiting a lidocaine infusion.

Thank you all so much for you help!

[Shineylou82]

I cant think of any tips for you I'm afraid. But I'm pretty much the same. Although I forgot to take my pregablin on wednesday night and I'm now on day 4 of being in bed with awful withdrawal symptoms, even after taking it normally again from thursday evening.

[OliDivine in reply to Shineylou82]

Oh gosh I hope you feel better soon! Hoping you get some relief soon x

[Hidden]

Wow that's a lot of drugs for a young mum..do you see a rheumatologist or neurologist? Maybe ask them to try you with a steroid injection called Kenalog,,I had this 6 monthly for many years with a mild pain killer,co .dydramol ..your g.p can give you injections if your consultants would agree,they do kill pain give you a surge of energy and a big lift knowing you can hAve another in 6 months..

[OliDivine in reply to Hidden]

I know others haven't worked sadly. I was wondering about duloxeteine as it can help with mood and pain but unsure if any contraindications with other pain killers.

The steroid sounds good, thank you for that and il certainly ask next time I see my GP.

Ive been referred to rheumatology and awaiting an appointment, unfortunately there's just such a long wait.

Ive not seen a neurologist, I had nerve conduction studies however which also found a trapped nerve

Thanks so much for your advice

[CheetieCat]

Hi Olidivine

Sorry you're in so much pain!

Sounds like you have some nerve pain going on.

Amitriptyline is so good for that, calms everything down to just about manageable, might be worth a try.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Take Care

CC

[OliDivine in reply to CheetieCat]

Hi ya

Yeah something is definitely going on

I tried amitriptyline but unfortunately the side effects were just too much for me

Fingers crossed today is a better day and less pain. Thanks for your support and advice x

[CheetieCat in reply to OliDivine]

Aw that's a shame, going on my own personal experience though I wouldn't write a drug off after one try.

I couldn't tolerate side effects from Topirimate first time round but managed ok when I tried again months later.

CC

[Dee-ivy06 in reply to CheetieCat]

I took amitriptyline,I had to stop,as in the morning I felt I was zoned out,and so tired at work,

[LoneEra]

Hi OliDivine

Sorry things are so hard for you right now. Very tough with a young child too.

One of the red flags for me in your post was this “I don’t exercise.” Believe me, I know how incredibly hard it is. But a lack of exercise leads to loss of muscle tone which then makes all the aches and pains worse.

Gentle exercise is absolutely key to managing fibro properly. Even if it’s just 5 minutes a day of Tai Chi or stretching to begin with.

I’d highly recommend you request your GP refers you to a physio who has expertise in this area. They can give you some easy exercises to do at home to start helping you.

On the other points you raised, the exercise may also help with the feeling of swelling in your hands and feet - it will get the lymphatic system moving.

Out of interest, is there any pattern to your 2-3 day flares each month? I ask because I experience the same - linked to my period. Typically the days just before.

Take care xx

[Nickson75]

So sorry to here you are struggling. My son is autistic and never stops moving so I’m on the go all the time which can be hard. I’m on 600mg gabapentin 3 times a day and use pain meds as a top up when having having a flare. Maybe talk to your doctor and up the gabapentin so you could lower your intake of tramadol