chronic osteoarthritis pain

[Sugaree]

hi, new here. I have daily pain from compressed nerves due to osteoarthritis. I am also depressed. I get migraine headaches as well. I never have a day without pain. I don’t sleep well and my lifestyle changes every year. Anyone else?

[Batty1]

Sorry you’re dealing with this and I 100% relate I suffer with pain everyday as well but from psoriatic arthritis…. Do you hurt to walk or stand or just when you sit too much?

[Sugaree in reply to Batty1]

thanks for replying. Osteoarthritis has caused chronic sciatica. I am just getting over bronchitis and I irritated the sciatica pain as well as pulled muscles in my back from coughing so much. I am most comfortable in bed for resting. Sleeping is not so easy. Standing and walking are too painful for now, but I get up to move about so I don’t stiffen up. This last week has been awful. As the bronchitis is getting better my back isn’t.

I have heard of psoriatic arthritis, does it cause nerve compressions? Osteo has caused disc damage and bony growth around discs. I hope this day is less painful for you.

[Batty1 in reply to Sugaree]

I’m sure PSA causes lots of issue … Its been a living nightmare for the past 7 years it consumes me from the inside out and just makes life so dull …. Are you taking medication for your osteo, does it help?

[Sugaree in reply to Batty1]

Lately it’s hard to move around and my meds are limited. They help me relax when I lie down. Standing is worst right now. Tramadol and fioricet help but I only take 3 a day of each. The coughing triggered alot more pain. I can’t yet sit in the car so I have been home waiting for bronchitis to go away and it has but I feel like a shut in. I am thankful for my husband who helps out alot. Thanks for your kind replies, helps to know there are others struggling with pain.

[Batty1 in reply to Sugaree]

Your welcome and I hope you see light at the end of the tunnel real soon.

[Imagine1]

I sympathise with you, I too have chronic arthritic pain, every day I am in pain, I don't sleep either. Is there no steroid injection that you can have in the joint? I could have had it done but I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome so I can't have it. If I was you I would ask for an injection in the joint, that treatment is very successful and it could work for you.

I hope this has helped you. take care xx

[Sugaree in reply to Imagine1]

I have not tried shots in joint yet I have heard alot of good results with that, and also that it is painful and sometimes doesn’t work. Eventually I will have to, but I am avoiding pain management centers for now. My lifestyle has changed so much . Thank you for your kind reply and I hope today will be a good one for you.

[Imagine1 in reply to Sugaree]

Thank you for your reply. I have had a steroid injection in the past in my hip a few years ago and it was done at the hospital and it worked for me, I have no problems at all now. This was way before my CRPS condition. I never found it painful. It will probably be different for other people though. I hope you enjoy your day too xx

[Linelover15]

You’re lucky! I’ve had a number of injections, none of which have made the slightest difference to my back or knees. I suffer from psoriatic arthritis and now sciatica. Just awaiting results of MRI scan

[Sugaree in reply to Linelover15]

Hi, I hope you’re scan shows good results. Sciatica is my biggest concern now. I really hurt myself coughing this last week. I had bronchitis. Thank for your reply.

[baylis66 in reply to Linelover15]

Hi I was meant to have a steroid injection in my lumbar spine but chickened out as I'd read lots on Internet about it and it may not last. I have arthritis in my feet and I'd had an injection in my big toe which has only lasted about 6 weeks so figured it wouldn't last in my spine either. Do you think I made the right decision in your experience?

[Linelover15 in reply to baylis66]

Well, every person is different so it’s hard to say. I’ve had several knee and spinal injections, none of which have worked. In fact I’ve never had even one weeks pain relief from them. It really is up to you; just don’t expect miracles!

[katieoxo60]

Hi there, you are not alone with the pain aspect . Over the years I have found using other things besides painkillers eases the pain but no complete clearance and when in flare it can be very depressing if you can't control the pain to a bearable level. Most of us with Arthritis seem to have times when we can't manage the pain. I have just experience a different pain breaking through and an Xray has been done which shows some changes not expected. So have to have another Xray in 6 weeks time see if its cleared up or not may need rereferral to a consultant. Just have to see, as it's not good to have to many Xrays in a short time. Hope you find some relief as its hard to stand etc with multiple pain issues. Best Wishes

[Sugaree in reply to katieoxo60]

I have not had mri in 15 years since my first episode. My insurance is not covering it. Coughing seems to have pulled muscles in my back as well as a very painful sciatica flare. I even went to specialist for office exam and she’s not ordering any tests because she knows it’s arthritis and mri only if needed for injections. Ugh I have been up all night, can’t turn in bed. thanks for replying and yes it is hard to stand and get out of bed

[katieoxo60 in reply to Sugaree]

I had one MRI scan when I first had my chest problems to decide if it was cancer or not . I was given a few other tests with very little change, I had a bronchoscope twice but it still left me with unexplained condition in my lung. I also had an MRI scan for my arthritic knee along with many more Xrays for my Arthritis. As you say insurances don't like covering some of the chronic illness and some cancers are not covered either . But most accept arthritis of any sort. I have some gadgets for help to get out of bed. One is a massage / electric lift bed, a bed lever to hold onto while you get up, walking stick, crutches, rollator that turns into a wheelchair. I have grab rails and hand rails everywhere, a recliner /lifter chair with massage and heat. Microwave heat pads, walk in shower but lots of these I had to provide myself including the flip taps on all sinks. But most of these just help mobility etc not the pain aspect. They also reduce the wear on your joints which we presume reduces the pain !!! If you can have injections then maybe give it a go , even if it only reduces the pain for a time helps you to keep your sanity. I was told we don't die of arthritis but the pain can sure reduce your pleasure in life. Like you I sometimes find it difficult to find a position to lie in bed but was told people who lie on their side sometimes have more pain if that's any help. Well I could go on for ever but only you can test things to see which helps you most , electric lifter chairs and beds are much cheaper now trhan years ago , so saome things are looking up. Take care

[Sugaree in reply to katieoxo60]

thanks, you’re reply came just in time. I needed the encouragement and to know that I am not alone. I also have other health issues. I have resistant hypertension. I need 4 different types of hypertension meds to keep my blood pressure down. I also get alot of migraines and headaches caused by pinched nerve in neck. Unfortunately I also have reflux and ibuprofen is really limited to a few a week. I hope for good results on your xrays and hope your day goes well. So many kind people on this website!

[katieoxo60 in reply to Sugaree]

An extra replySugaree, four kinds of Bp tablets sounds strange , I used to take three and the blood pressure was moderate . Now I take one but it makes no difference and I notice with age it creeps up a bit. I can't take Ibuprofen but found Bisodol can often help with reflux its a three in one and prevents wind, indigestion etc or do you take something from the Gp for the reflux. Thank you for your reply I am off soon to a 0ver eighty neighbour to help her put a waterproof cover on so she can have a once a week shower. Then we will indulge in a couple of cakes and tea enjoy your day. I am just looking at the party shots from my grandaughters husbands 40th last night. Could not go myself but all my family were there.

[Sugaree in reply to katieoxo60]

Sounds like a wonderful day. I made it to church this morning,first time this month. It’s really the only place I go to regularly. I get groceries delivered. I am hoping to go to see my girls and grandkids. They are about 3 hours away. My husband does all the driving now. I don’t drive on pain meds and anxiety medication. Since Covid it’s so easy to purchase groceries online from local store and have it delivered. I have a prescription for reflux because it got so bad with anxiety I was vomiting every meal.I manage with pain meds not needing oxytocin or other strong ones just yet. Enjoy your visit today!

[Sugaree]

sorry to hear you have suffered so much and for so long. Since you were a child. I also feel like I have had daily pain for so long. When I was 30, I started getting migraines 4 or 5 a week. Each one lasted 24 or more hours. My girls were school age and I was working part time. Fortunately I had a great neurologist ,he ordered the only mri I had when I was almost 50. It showed arthritis in lumbar and cervical (neck) discs and some early disc degeneration. But now I am 62 and arthritis pain is daily, sciatica never really stops along with nerve compression in neck. Fortunately I haven’t had surgery. I hope there is an end in sight for your pain, If not , you’re not alone. Hoping you have an easy day and a little less pain.

[PainConcernHelpline Moderator Community Champion Pain Concern]

Dear Sugaree

I am a forum moderator at pain Concern and have been reading through your post. i am sorry you are having such a difficult time.

I have put together some resources that I think will be of interest to you.

painconcern.org.uk/product/...

painconcern.org.uk/stress-p...

painconcern.org.uk/airing-p...

painconcern.org.uk/airing-p...

This link is to the Pain Concern website where you will find further information.

painconcern.org.uk/

The following link is to the Versus Arthritis UK website.

versusarthritis.org/

Best wishes

Pain Concern

[Sugaree in reply to PainConcernHelpline]

Thanks so much for the resources

[Yvonner1]

I know the feeling. I have been living like hell the past 2 years. I need back surgery on L4-L-5, fusion probably. Also my nerves are all compressed from L1-L-5, I have severe spinal Stenosis. I’m on workers compensation here in Albuquerque, NM, there are no back surgeons. I’ve been waiting for 2 years, have back pain severely and leg pain real bad. On workers comp you have to go through their doctors and there ain’t none. I have regular insurance but I can’t use it. Against w/c policies. Bummer what to do? Just live on muscle relaxers, gabapentin, tramadol 300 mg once a day. Exercise when I can due to leg pain. So , all I can say is we can do this, we just have to have faith and pray to God. Things will happen. Hope you start feeling better!

[Sugaree in reply to Yvonner1]

sorry to hear about your back pain. Sleep is almost impossible. It’s the pulled muscles along my spine and sides of waist that just add to sciatica pain. Ice helps on the muscles. I take 50 milligrams of tramadol 3 times a day and muscle relaxers and fiorcet 3 times a day. Usually works well but nothing seems to help the pulled muscles. I hope you can have your surgery soon and all goes well.