Suffering in severe pain

[colleen1967]

Can anyone offer any advise please. I am currently being tested for rheumatoid arthritis. This has been going on since mid April. At one point they put me on 50mgs of prednisone per day and after a week it seemed to help with the inflamation and joint pain. However the specialist took me off it so he could run more blood work. That was July 3rd. I don't see him again until July 28th. I am in so much pain I'm losing my mind. What can I take until I see him I can't tolerate this one more day. P,lease Help me

[earthwitch]

You could go see your GP. They can prescribe things like ibuprofen or naproxen, which are NSAIDs or antiinflammatory medications, and those can help a lot with pain. Also stronger painkillers if necessary (cocodamol, tramadol, etc).

If you want to avoid meds, try alternating heat pads with ice packs over the worst areas, or either heat or ice on its own, depending which feels best (but don't leave the pack on for more than 15 minutes in the same place or you can burn the skin). Sometimes even just having a really nice long hot shower will make you feel better. Very gentle stretching exercises can sometimes help avoid joints stiffening up. Relaxation and meditation type exercises won't get rid of all the pain, but sometimes they can drop it down one point on the pain scale, and that is enough to allow you to keep on going.

[colleen1967 in reply to earthwitch]

Thanks for your response. I have been to my GP several times before he refered me to a Rheumatologist . He gave me Naproxen which did nothing for the pain or the inflammation. I then went to the clinic because I could not get an appointment with my GP fast enough. My hands went numb and I couldn't feel them. He put me on 50 mgs of Prednisone for 7 days until I could see my GP. Once I saw my GP he did more blood work and gave me 30mgs of Prednisone for 10 days. It started to work and I finally could function. Then I saw the Rheumatologist who took me off everything so he could get an accurate blood test. My white blood cells were high as well as my Lymphosites . He sent me home with nothing for the pain except for amatriptolyne at night which knocks the crap out of me and makes me feel sick. That was on July 3rd. Since then I have taken nothing but tylenol and ibupropen it does nothing. I am at my wits end. I have a very high pain tolerance and have never taken pain killers. I will see the Rheumatologist on the 28th but I can't wait that long. I have never experienced this much pain in my life. I can't take it anymore. Sorry for all the spelling mistakes but it actually hurts to type.

[earthwitch in reply to colleen1967]

hang in there. In the grand scheme of things, the 28th really isn't that far off. I guess you are not in the UK (you used the name tylenol, and its paracetamol here). Here, we could easily wait 3 months for a first appointment, so to me (I know its not much comfort to you) the 28th seems like a remarkably close appointment.

[superannie]

Hi, I really am feeling for you. There is a limit to how much pain you can tolerate and are expected to endure. Personally I would try and see the rheumatologist, see if this can be a phone appointment. Ask him/her what is the strongest painkiller you can take that will not interfere with the tests. Then ask for a script or ask for it to be directed to your GP. I have no idea if you are working or not. Until your appointment I would take the time out just to try and relax as much as you can, whatever this takes. let everyone know, who are part of your life, that you need understanding and help right now.

Good luck, please let us know how it goes. Ann.

[colleen1967]

Thank you ladies for your replies. I'm going to call the Rheumatologist today and see if I can get in any sooner on a cancellation list. I sat in a friends hot tub last night and it felt wonderful until I got out of couse but 30 minutes of relief was very welcoming.

[Hidden]

Injections in your go office should carry you over. Steroids, anti-inflammatory or even just 3 light dose narcotics per day will bring relief. Call your doctor and ask for them.