Variability

[lulul]

Ouch!!! Having a really bad day..everything hurts..why is there so much variation with RA from day to day and why are my painkillers no longer working??!!

[Hidden]

Sometimes the pain does get to much and unbearable I know I've been there, the pain relief is obviously not the right strength for you.

Although I say I've been there I've still come out the other side and you will too, even though at the moment nothing seems to be working for you my advice would be to get your pain relief reviewed, your GP can do this and this is the quickest way. what are you taking at the moment? have you tried the slow release patches?or even oramorph to get you through the bad times.

Pain is the hardest part of RA and can take over your whole body you will learn how to control the pain and the best meds to take for you. Pain is overwhelming and at times very hard to deal with like I say speak to your GP and good luck.

As for the RA being varied I'm afraid that's the way it is and can be very hard to come to terms with. One day your feeling ok and the next can be unbearable its another thing we have to learn about RA.

Take care and good luck with the pain relief.

Mandy xx

[lulul in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Mandy.. I am usually so positive and I know this phase will end but right now the pain is incredible and I don't know what to do with myself. I am on 30/500 cocodamol and naproxen .

[Hidden in reply to lulul]

I take the same dose co-codamol but always have stronger pain relief at hand. The patches are good as you can still take the co-codamol in between but the patches give a slow release over three days then you just change the patch.

Also Tramadol or Oramorph, don't take tramadol myself they don't suit me but I find oramorph good when pain is bad. Do try and get an appointment with your GP to get this sorted, sooner the better as pain can begin to get you down.

Good luck

Mandy xx

[Hidden]

Hi Lulu

I recognise that pain problem. I had my first real flare in my hands about 6 months ago. Basically it was so painful I thought they were on fire . They were pounding so much even the air was hurting them. I couldnt straighten my fingers of lay them against my pillow at night. I ended up phoning the emergency doc at 2.00 am in the morning in tears because I had never had pain like it apart from childbirth !!! Then I had gas and air etc

I now have 30/500 co-codamol but at the time of the flare took 75mg of steroids over 24 hrs. I didnt care at the time wot i took i would have done antyhing to stop the pain. I actually couldnt cope with it. I`l admit it. Wimp that I am.

I agree with Mand go back to get some help if its getting to much- dont suffer.

If I flare again that bad I will def ask for oramorph i think.

hoping to control with biologics though. We shall see

Hope u feel better soon

fiona

xx

[lulul in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Fiona...I am seeing the rhuemy team on Monday so will ask then and we will be discussing anti tnfs too x

[Hidden]

Lulu, I dont know how you manage on only cocodamol and naproxen.

Getting my pain control right is what has helped me cope better.

Ive take tramadol daily 8 per day and when in further plain ie in a flare I use morphine to top my pain relief up I also take naproxen etc to ease my ra pain.

My doctor has been speaking to me about changing my morphine to patches to try and keep my lower back pain at bay better as its getting to were Ive needed oramorph as a top up everyday and night, I put it off at first worried about being more doppy all day however Ive got to the stage now that I think I need it.

See your gp about your pain relief and get it improved if your gp cant help asked to be reffered to pain managment to get help there.

Take care

Julie x

[Hidden]

advice as above, oramororph or tramadol or similar.. having same problem max painkillers, oramorph and steroids