pain relief?

[Ashley1014]

question for you all, what do you take for breakthrough pain? I’m on enbrel, methotrexate and flexeril. Take acetaminophen and ibuprofen and naproxen as needed. But my back is just giving me a fit the last few days. Been next to impossible to even move. I wrote to my rheumatologist to ask for tramadol (a non narcotic pain reliever) and she told me all she would write is prednisone. Which I cannot take with my anti anxiety med, it can cause seizures.

I’m just frustrated. I feel like we are left to deal with such excruciating pain sometimes without a lifeboat. And going to the emergency department is pointless. They won’t give you anything for the pain either. How do we make the doctors understand we are just trying to live as normal of a life as possible?

Just fyi I have AS, RA, fibro, and psoriasis.

[Joannos]

You don't mention paracetamol are you able to try that?

[AgedCrone in reply to Joannos]

acetaminophen = paracetamol….think maybe Ashley is in the US?

[Ashley1014 in reply to AgedCrone]

I am in the us I use the arthritis strength acetaminophen or paracetamol

[AgedCrone in reply to Ashley1014]

Ah I thought so…Hope you don’t need it too often!

[Ashley1014 in reply to AgedCrone]

Yes is isn’t good for the liver. But when it’s the only option you have

[AgedCrone in reply to Ashley1014]

When needed I swallow Paracetamol & Ibruprofen throughout the day & so far my Liver doesn’t object!

[marti]

Hi my GP prescribes co-codomal for me and occasionally if I'm having a bad flare I can get a prescription of naproxen. I also take enbrel & methotrexate. I usually contact my GP as my 1st call I'd I'm struggling. Hope you get some relief soon

[Ashley1014 in reply to marti]

I will have to see what co-codomal is here in the us and if it’s an option for me. My gp/pcp will not touch my pain. She refers it directly to my rheumatologist

[AgedCrone in reply to Ashley1014]

Beware Constipation with CoCodomal!

[Hisue in reply to Ashley1014]

Tylenol w/codeine is available by RX in the USA.

[Ashley1014 in reply to Hisue]

Yes it is. I will ask her if she is willing to write it

[Haz58]

Id contact her again and point out about mixing the 2 meds.

[Ashley1014 in reply to Haz58]

My pharmacist even called her about it. She would not change it

[Haz58 in reply to Ashley1014]

Oh lord! I'm sorry you have a doc like that! It makes such a difference when you have an understanding doc. I changed doctors after having RA for 6 months as they were useless. Thankfully my new surgery are brilliant!

[Ashley1014 in reply to Haz58]

My doctor used to be amazing. So compassionate and understanding. Lately she is just not herself. I’m wondering if Covid just burnt her out and I may need to change doctors

[Haz58 in reply to Ashley1014]

Could be. Yes id change. You need to be able to trust their judgement if you've not got that it's not good. All the best. I hope you get sorted. Xx

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Maybe ask doc to try Pregablin

You can get that for fibro

And is now getting Rolled out for

Anxiety as well may suit you if not tryed id ask doc

And can take with above meds

ask doc if suitable and you think it maybe

[Ashley1014 in reply to OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

I was on pregablin before but they switched me off of it. Thank you for the suggestion!

[Fruitandnutcase]

I just take a couple of paracetamol. I find gentle stretching and keeping moving works best for me.

I take hydroxychloroquine, I know some people get steroid injections for their pain and it’s been suggested for me but I want to avoid steroids if I can as I was given them when I was first diagnosed and ended up with steroid induced T2 diabetes which fortunately I managed to get rid of.

I avoid ibuprofen as I have osteoporosis and ibuprofen isn’t good for your bones and I also have osteoarthritis and bursitis. I’m always very creaky in the morning but stretching and moving pretty much sorts me out.

Why don’t you go back to your rheumatologist and see if she can change your drugs or as Haz58 suggests add another drug into the mix?

[Ashley1014 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Oh yes I am not a fan of the injections either. Went down that road before the biologics. I do stretch everyday and try to stay active as I have four children so I am pretty busy lol. My rheumatologist will only add prednisone. But I see her NP when I go back in April and I’m going to ask her if she will do something different. My pain usually is pretty well controlled but every once in a while my back just acts up and lays me out. They like to tell us that if the pain is that bad to go to the emergency department. But then the emergency department tells us there’s nothing they can do for us to go to our rheumatologist. And it goes back and forth forever and ever.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Ashley1014]

Gosh, with four children I imagine you will be well exercised. Your doctor needs to get a grip and get your pain sorted out.

Magnesium is fine - I take it and also like to soak in magnesium flakes in the bath and I bought some rub on magnesium gel this morning, I’m a great believer in it - but it’s definitely not the same as proper pain relief.

You probably do need to try a different doctor or even a different rheumatologist.

[Ashley1014 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I love a good magnesium soak. I use Epsom salt soaks as well. I’m going to look into other rheumatologists in the area

[Madmusiclover]

You could ask to be referred to a pain management consultant. I’ve had great treatment from them.

[Ashley1014 in reply to Madmusiclover]

I do have one of those. His method of pain management is magnesium. Which I have taken religiously since he prescribed it since he says it will help my pain. But I am not so sure about that one.

[Madmusiclover in reply to Ashley1014]

Maybe try someone else. I have a buprenorphine patch.

[Runrig01]

I have a Butec pain patch, then Tramadol for breakthrough pain. I also use amitriptyline at night.

[Ashley1014 in reply to Runrig01]

I am going to look into a new doctor. I believe mine may just be burnt out from Covid.