I've had R.A since last September. I've been on MTX for the last 5 months and it hasn't worked, so I'm waiting to start on Adalimumab which I'm led to believe can take up to 12 weeks to become effective.
So far I've had 3 steroid injections, along a 10 week course of Prednisolone to help with the pain, but my latest injection is wearing off again and I'm a bit loathe to ask for another steroid injection as I understand they can have some unwanted side effects. (I've already been booked in for a bone density scan on the 21st!)
I've used ice packs and heat in the past, along with Ibuprofen, Co-codamol, Paracetemol and Paramol. Are there any other off-the-shelf meds or treatments that anyone's found effective?
NB: I find walking and being active help, but that's not always a viable solution first thing in the morning when the pain is at it's worst.
Many thanks
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cuppa69
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Ask for some prescription pain relief from your doctor. I have cocodamol 30/500 also tramadol for when it is really bad . Interested to know why are you having a bone density scan? I have been on MYX for 20 years only ever had one hand X-ray . Don’t think my Rheumy department is very helpful or proactive …
I suspect the bone scan would be prudent due to the prolonged use of oral Prednisolone as well as the frequent steroid injections. Steroids are very damaging to bone growth and turn-over, and it is optimal to get a baseline bone density in order to facilitate early intervention with medications to prevent or at least slow done bone loss in osteopenia and osteoporosis. This scan is painless and virtually free of side effects. Most steroid induced fractures occur early on in steroid treatment, with many fractures occurring in the first 12 weeks.
Many thanks for your reply. I've gotten some of the cocodamol 30/500 from my sister's partner who's had long standing back problems, but I use it sparingly as it can kind of space me out.
I took an Ibuprofen 400 last thing before bed last night and that seems to have eased the level of pain I wake up with.
Re: the bone density scan, that was recommended to me by my G.P after she did a review of my R.A problems, and treatments to date. She went through the amount of anti-inflammatory steroids I've been taking over that five month period, together with any previous fractures I'd had during my lifetime, then concluded that she'd refer me for a scan.
MTX generally doesn’t cause issues with bone density. However it used to be a standard preventative protocol that women over 55 had a bone density scan. Has that also stopped in UK?
I would contact your gp to review your analgesics. There are much better antiinflammatories that could help, and your gp should prescribe a PPI to protect your stomach. I have a butec pain patch, so get a constant feed, which avoids the peaks and troughs of tablets. I also have tramadol to add to it if im struggling. Part of the reason for the pain patch, is I can no longer use nsaids due to having a severe stroke 6yr ago.
I tried Naproxen before, but unfortunately it did absolutely nothing for me so I stick with Ibuprofen 400s. I took one before going to sleep last night and that seemed to help with my pain levels this morning.
I'm sorry to hear about your stroke and the constant pain you're going through. I really hope things improve for you soon.
there are so many more nsaids than just naproxen and brufen. There are cox2 inhibitors like celebrex, Arcoxia is another one used often by rheumatologists, and is taken just once a day. I could never take Naproxen as it caused severe stomach pain. My hubby has just been prescribed it to help with kidney stone pain, and he’s constantly vomiting when he takes it. Brufen is quite weak out of the nsaids available. It’s definitely worth exploring with your gp. Also if you’re taking it regularly make sure you’re using a PPI to protect your stomach. I’ve nursed several patients who developed ulcers from otc brufen use. Take care 🤗
I take Naproxen on prescription (NSAID- non steroid anti inflammatory drug) if you are able to take anti inflammatories which some people aren’t..
I’ve had RA for 7 years - very sudden and painful at first but has been well controlled with mtx till the last few weeks when I’ve been flaring. The naproxen has moderated the pain though, on the advice of the rheumatology nurse, I take paracetamol or co codamol as well depending on pain levels. I also use heat and cold packs.
Unfortunately Naproxen does absolutely nothing for me, which came as a blow as the doctor in A & E touted it as "Ibuprofen on steroids" when he handed me some. Oh well, c'est la vie.
I took an Ibuprofen last night before bed, for the first time, and that's eased off the level of pain I'm in when I woke up this morning, so I'll be doing that as well now here on in. I also find the heat & cold packs are very helpful 👍
Hang in there, you will be a different person when you get on Adalimumab, it will take a few weeks to get into the system but stick with it and you will feel a lot lot better for it, All the Best Dave.
Have a look at creatine monohydrate, I first came across it in the nhs patient access news letter. Following more research I decided to try it. I've found it very effective at not just reducing pain but giving back movement. I went for three months not using my left hand, now I can move all my fingers and the trigger thumb is better as well.
I can still feel it in all my joints but it's such a relief. I take less than the recommended does as I found it suites me better. Drink plenty of clean water as well.
Do your own research, talk to your doctor or chemist if in dought.
Thanks Tourk. Creatine? That's something I'd never have considered. I've got a resealable pouch that I ordered from my protein.com sat in a kitchen cupboard, I'll try that now. 😊👍
Had look at the site you mentioned, looks pretty good prices not too bad how have you found ordering from them?Hope you find the creatine as effective as i have.
Hi lindy it depends if you are taking the tablets or the powder. I would suggest not taking more than the recommended dose and make sure you drink plenty of water. ( 2- 3 ltrs throughout the day)
I found the powder to be cheaper and more reliable. Some of tablets from amazon are of questionable quality. I tried a lot if different brands with some the ra came back and others it got better. One brand tasted so strongly of perfume I deside to throw them away. No problems with the powdered creatine so far.
Listen to your body it'll tell you what is the right amount.
Just want to make sure you are taking quality vitamin D and k ( not in a multi vitamin) please note the recommended amount for vitamin D is woefully low.
Hi. I found some in holland and barrett starter box 317g seemed to have good reviews. optimum nutrition, I might try that, do you still have te details of the nhs patient access news letter that you found it in ? I am now taking vitabiotics vit D3 1000iu daily which I was not before. I have heard to push to D3 up to 2000iu daily but that sounds scary, RA team say 800iu is usual amount.
Sorry for the late reply, its been rather hectic my mother has got a form of dementia its been a learning experience. She 95 so done very well compared to many others.
Like yourself I was very hesitant, so I did alot of research even changed my search engine to "brave", Google is great for shopping but worst than useless for research.
As long as you are taking the active form of vitamin D "colecalciferol ", you can tell within a couple of days the amount that is the right amount for you.
Unless it's the active form of vitamin D it takes 2 weeks before you get any benifits it.
I'm taking 1 tabled a day of fultium-D 800iu and 2 D3-K2 4000iu / 100ug . So that's 8800iu a day. I've been taking this much for over 3 year with the only side effect not being ill when everyone else has been.
You didn't mention how much K2 you are taking? Your body needs that to be able to proses vitamin D.
my GP has revetments for pain management and talking therapy so going to give that a go. Most of this is to do with my fibro but they felt might help on bad RA days. I am happy to try anything right now.
It can take a while to find a drug regime that works for you I went thro 4/5 for RA and different add ons for pain etc. I was given a dexa scan as been on so much prednisone.
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