Hi all you are all so helpful.

[Neecy]

I was wondering if anyone else suffers from an ache in their knees? I am slowly going mad fom lack of sleep! What do you use, do?

[KarenRL]

Hi Neecy! I don't have knee pain...but do have other joint pains. I think it's pretty typical with PBC. I take a low dose of Ambien & it really helps me sleep. It's been a Godsend.

[mumofthree]

Hi Neecy

Yes I have the knee pain...also pain in other joints. Worse with me in my hands, wrists, shoulders, hips and feet and ankles. I also ocassionally get a sort of burning sensation in my muscles which is really painful.

I use a combination depending if I am having a good or bad day. On a good day (moderate pain) GP prescribed regular paracetamol (8 a day). On a bad day (extreme..could scream the place down pain) GP put me on the regular paracetamol with Tramadol as a top up..unfortunately of late the tramadol has been giving me a strange head..so have had to stop that...So now I replace the paracetamol with CoCodamol. I also find heat on the joints works..so I rub into the area Voltarol or Ibuleve Gel and put warm wheatbags over the joints.

Hope you find something that works for you.

[SC49]

great question and really helpful answers.

I get pain in my hips, elbows and in the bones of my arms. I also get pain in my right shoulder/ neck area. It comes on worse at night though isn't unknown throughout the day. Mostly it's manageable as long as I can rest. If it gets out of hand, I would normally take Ibuprofen but that doesn't always have the desired effect.

I was advised by my gp to steer clear of paracetamol and aspirin because of the possible stomach/ liver risks. I don't like co codamol because of the other risks associated with taking that over a prolonged period. Other strong painkillers seem to go straight to my brain and make me talk even more rubbish than usual!

I might try the warm wheat bags - that sounds very comforting!

[zipitydoo]

I use a gel called musseltone gel. Its cold when it goes on then warms up but not on fire like deep heat. It helps a lot with my pain but my pain is mostly muscular. Not found a chemist that sells it yet but it can be bought on line if you would like to give it a try.

Have shown it both to my GP, rheumatologist and liver specialist and none of them have a problem with me using it.

[jrobertson1]

Hi Neecy,

I also suffer from knee pain and also from hip pain but this is usually worse at night. I find ibuprofen helpful but was advised by GP to take Omeprazole too, if taking regularly, to guard against stomach problems. Some PBC literature does however warn against taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen so I take it only when really feel I need it.

[bink]

Hi All , Have any of you been diagnosed with Arthritus or Osteopina or osteoparosis ? , i have been diagnosed with all 3 since being diagnosed PBC .

[BethanD]

Hi Neecy. Have joint pains in wrist and elbows mostly and find the wheat sacks that you heat in e microwave very comforting and with no worrying side effects! Hope they help you too.