Hey folks, im new to this, i have been battling with R.A. and gout of the hands and elbows for 20yrs. now. Its been tough specialty these last few yrs. Doc tells me due to the amount of self inflicted wounds to my body, lets just say im a little orgar-ish. as my family so kindly calls me. that R.A. will probably show up in in other spots that have been damaged (oh joy).
hands swell kinda looks mickey mouses hands, tingling,loss of feeling in fingers, feels like sand in every joint in hands and elbows and boy does it hurt.
i have been treating and managing this my own way, the idea of tellin someone that you are gonna have live on prescription meds aka painkillers from now on well that just aint gonna fly! im lookin for some other remedize that yall might have.
my treatment is ice hands and elbows 4-5 times a night 30mins a pop, 1200mgs in 24hrs, compression to control swelling and bio-freeze as need for pain.
any advice would be greatly appreciated. oh and sorry for the ramblin on just good to let some of this crap out
Ok, I'll start the ball rolling. Firstly what country are you from? As treatment does vary sometimes. Second, I'm confused, as no doubt others will be on here when you say you have had RA for twenty years but you suggest that th only thing you are getting is painkillers, which, quite rightly in my opinion, is not a way to go. Lastly you are looking for advice on remedies for RA. Well forget it (sorry for being harsh) there is little or no clinical evidence to suggest anything other than prescribed drug treatment works.
You are being a tad rude. I get your frustration, but you did say `any` advice would be greatly appreciated. Dtech gave you some. You might not like it, or agree with it, but she/he took the time to answer you.
Some folks swear by dietary changes. You could try that if you are adamant about not touching meds.
I think keeping active is very important. Walking and swimming etc.
I think staying active as possible is helpful too as I've watched my mom suffer yes& she has just bout stopped any exercise at all and is nearing the point of requiring a w/c now. I get up and move as much as possible unless I'm having a flare so bad that I can't then I only rest til I can stand to move again
Are you say that you've been DMARD free for the entirety or your RA journey? If so x rays or scans would be helpful to see what (if any) bone erosion has taken place and what course of treatment would be best for you.
Have you been given meds or dietary advice re the gout flares and how best to try to reduce their intensity and frequency?
Is your pain recurrent/intermittent, acute or chronic? That's important as it can define how your pain is treated.
Acute pain is like an alarm bell telling a person that something is wrong (I.e. A sprained or torn muscle) and usually stops further movement and thus further damage. Rest, ice, compression and elevation is the usual response.
Recurrent/intermittent pain is something like a toothache or headache and movement won't really cause further damage but the body is saying clearly something is not quite right. Obviously an appropriate medical response is required to treat the underlying condition causing the pain in order to still it.
Chronic pain is long term and is actually not helpful as the body has already signalled that there is something wrong long ago and doesn't need to keep on shouting about it if the underlying condition is being appropriately treated but the off button has been lost so the body continues with its protesting.
The pain process uses the spinal cord and specialist nerve pathways that lead to the brain and part of this system links directly to the emotional centres in the brain. Thus how we are feeling has an effect on our experience of pain. If we feel angry, depressed or anxious, our pain will feel worse than if we are more relaxed and happy thus when in a more positive mood the same pain will feel less intense. It might help if you look up the Pain Gate Theory to further understand what you are going through and how best to help yourself.
The Buddhist approach to chronic pain is to sit with it, acknowledge it and accept the pain for what it is - a chemical chain reaction working its way through your system. Not trying to resist the pain in any way is important here as the act of resistance adds another pain level, an emotional one, that intensifies the original pain sensation and drives the pain cycle deeper. The breath acts as an anchor point here in that when the pain appears overwhelming focus on your breathing - the sensation of the air entering your nostrils and then leaving again as you breath out which will still the emotional aspect of the pain and thus 'reduce' it to a more manageable level - well that's the theory as I understand it!
i have had this issue for 20 yrs and basically i an going thur one of the worst flair ups in a while., so i guess im just venting abit. i was just angry about recent dr. visit and the willingness to just to just pump me full of pain killers. like thats gonna solve anything. sorry for my personality, just the way i am spent 12 yrs in the usmc so i guess its just who i am. i will be removing myself from your community
Wow. Im originally from the U.S and although I don't live there now I'm embarrassed that someone from the States can come on a U.K. website and spout off all kinds of expletives no matter how much pain you're in.
I'm not going to be as nice as these very kind and incredibly helpful people are on this site.
First, it's absolutely false that doctors throw pain meds out as their first option in the U.S.
Do you even know what DMARDS are? I'll give you a clue. They're not opioids and DMARDS are first line treatments world wide.
It's fine that you don't want to take any prescription meds and if you're kind enough and gracious enough you can find people on this site who use diet, LDN, antibiotics, etc as their treatment choice.
But one things clear, if you're rude don't expect a ton of help.
I'm living proof that us doesn't treat with pain meds. I only take mtx predisone, folic acid, a muscle relaxer....im given absolutely no pain meds although theres a lot of days ..nites esp that i cud really use them to get rest
I don't like this type of rude post so suspicious, this is like spam. That's the end of my comments and surprised that it was even allowed to go with those words in it.
no ma'am, i am not spam. i have very complex personality and sometimes i just dont play well with others. its nothing personal and would like to apologize for my manners. i guess its just the marine in me
no ma'ma, i served from 85-97. and to tell you the truth i was unaware that this was a english based website. i guess that might be an issue. i think im just gonna try and find one maybe abit more me
I do understand somewhat.. Since u said ur having a bad flare and was upset at Dr and as mom of a soldier I understand ur resistance to meds. I tend to be ill & hateful when I'm in a greater amt of pain and upset but I try to remind myself that it's not everyone else's fault... Anymore than it's mine that I got this disease. So I try to not take it out on others
It is normal (and unpleasant) for unexpressed anxiety and fear to be deflected into aggressive energies and by the sound of this person we have one VERY, VERY frightened individual tapping into our forum. I for one will do my best to advise and let the aggression wash past me cos its not mine to take onboard and own. And I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't at least try - for a while anyway!!
No - I'm with Lucy on this one . No matter how frustrated, angry, "raging" we may feel with health care systems, the disease itself, there is no excuse for rudeness . There is a way to ask for an ear, advice , etc and that, in my view , is not it.
I do hear a lot of anger and given your history ( forces ) it may well be that there's more going on for you than is apparent.
I would urge you to look around and maybe find a forum that will be more useful to you and that may meet your current needs.
From a human point of view, I wish you well I'm your journey and hope you find what you need to make that journey easier.
A lot of soldiers have a lot of problems in civvy-street. You re trained to be tough, aggressive, then it's difficult later in ordinary life. But the latter is your life now. Don't waste it. Take responsibility and know yourself better or get help to do so, seek anger management if appropriate, calm down, and let the medics help you. You re suffering a good deal at present - what's to lose..?
I vaguely remember recently reading about a study in the US with armed forces personnel (I think it is the Navy not the marines though) where they were looking to do a study of the effectiveness of HBOT (hyperbolic oxygen therapy) in treating RA.
I have been having HBOT sessions since diagnosis 3 yrs ago, initially twice a week but now about twice a month with more regular sessions when I feel I need it. It might be something worth exploring. Over here in the UK most MS therapy centres have a HBOT chamber and we can access sessions that way (mine costs £12 per session)
Ah! Found the link to the study -
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show... Sorry it's not marine or Navy based but airforce. It might be worth getting in touch with them or at least following what the study uncovers.
Good luck and be gentle with yourself cos contrary to rumours selfcare is not a weakness but a strength. If we cant show ourselves compassion how the heck can we genuinely extend it to others?
I do hope this member can find a forum more suitable to his needs &, more importantly, the help needed. I think as he's deleted his account we can stop responding.
Tomcat, you're not the only USA here anymore-lol. Dani currently in California until husband gets fed up enough with political situation or daughter situation to move to Texas/Louisiana.
Pain meds are not the first response-my rheumatologists are reluctant to hand them out. They start with plaquenil and anti-inflammatories.
I have been on plaquineil but was allergic. Have taken anti inflammatory ex for 2yrs before I was diagnosed. Currently take methotrexate prednisone and folic acid. I no pain meds aren't first response. But pain has become so severe I only get to sleep 20-30 min at a time. I can't keep going with no sleep.... Is my point.
Can you ask your doctor about a nerve pain med? My husband has a very bad back and can't sleep..these help him. Maybe ask, couldn't hurt to, anyway. Wishing you better sleep! Dani
I can but I've already tried neurontin and lyrics both... Due to digestive issues.. No neurontin. Lyrics ...causes my legs not to work. I can't sleep due to the pain is so severe in my hips and I can only lay on my sides due to back problems and stomach issues. There has to be something they can do to help me.
Trigger point injections? Trying to think of the things husband has tried for his back in hopes that maybe one of them would give you some relief. Steriods with lidocaine in the spinal canal, I think is what worked best for him until he became intolerant of the steriods.
I will simply state that one of the cornerstones of our military ethic is "Adapt and overcome" and to the USMC it is specifically "Improvise, adapt and overcome". Conversely, there's nothing in our code of conduct that states "Be abrasive and rude to those who are granting you the kindness of their time and consideration" 😉
As a person who spent the better part of her career training individuals I can also share that most times hate and anger are fear in disguise.
In the interests of maintaining the harmony of the forum, the ability to write replies on this post has been turned off. Whilst the use of bad language is not acceptable on this site please remember that occasionally people post in a manner that they latter apologise for when in pain. Be kind.
Regards
Beverley (NRAS Helpline)
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