Pain relief suggestions for Rheumatoid arthritis

[mumljh]

Hi everyone, my mum has pulmonary renal vasculitis PANCA positive, and rheumatoid arthritis. She has been tried on many different medications over the last 10 years but unfortunately has been unable to tolerate any of them.,,,,,she has a general intolerance to most drugs which has naturally been a problem over the years. She lives with constant pain in various parts of her body, but she had a recent fall and twisted her knee. There was no bony injury and was given aids to allow her to be mobile. However as this happened just before the lockdown, she has been housebound for last 5 weeks and mobility is worsening because of excrutiating pain in both knees when she tries to mobilise. She should have had follow up physiotherapy after but in present situation this is unlikely to happen for some time. She takes paracetamol only for pain, and occasionally Cocodamol which she is reluctant to take regularly because of codeine. She is unable to take NSAID's as she has had problems in the past with her stomach. We are looking for alternatives that will help with the pain. She looked at Turmeric but this is contraindicated as she is diabetic, on insulin, and has hypothyroidism. I had suggested cannabis oil, but would prefer to get this from a reputable source, as I know it can come in different forms. We would really appreciate any advice or recommendations for pain relief as she is really struggling.

N.B. She does not want to go anywhere near her GP or hospital at the moment because of Coronavirus, as she is very high risk with pulmonary fibrosis and heart problems.

[charisma]

Hi mumljh

Her GP knows her health conditions. We all have to be calmly assertive at the moment in order to ensure proper care and provision, otherwise there will be more people needing emergency care due to those health issues than are expected due to COVID-19.

Perhaps a call to her GP would get a way forward. Maybe you could be present so she can authorise you to speak to him/her on her behalf.

Meantime, she might want to try Flora Fusion for excellent quality CBD Oil that might help lower pain levels. It is available by ordering online. I found it useful during excruciatingly painful full body flares of RA.

I hope she has support in place and you can both get through this weekend.

[Sockknitter]

She needs a telephone or video appointment with her GP. There is a much greater selection of painkillers, but they are all prescription. Plus the doctor will know all the contra indications.

[oldtimer]

Have a look here: paintoolkit.org/

That might give you some ideas.

But she needs a telephone consultation with her GP as well!

[sueathome]

Has she tried Voltarol gel on her knees? There are several strengths, so would be worth getting the strongest one. At least it's not a tablet, and might give a little relief if she uses it regularly. You can get in on prescription, or buy it over the counter or online.

I can sympathise, as I have RA and have pain in one knee at present, in addition to all my other aches & pains!

Hope she finds something that works.

[MargaretStirling in reply to sueathome]

Voltarol not everyone can use it some tablets voltarol could be dangerous

[sueathome in reply to MargaretStirling]

That's interesting. I was not aware that using Voltarol gel on the skin would cause an interaction with any tablets being taken, but I'm sure the lady referred to in the original question could check with her GP.

I get mine on prescription, and also take many different tablets, so I know that I have my GP's approval.

[MargaretStirling]

It was the chemist where I get my prescriptions from Of course the prescription you had got from your Dr had been a smaller dose than this I was buying over the counter I use patches I get from my Dr Surgery