Arthritis pain not relieved by Pred.: I have had to... - PMRGCAuk

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Arthritis pain not relieved by Pred.

Freshmimt profile image
45 Replies

I have had to give in and put on a BuTrans patch as well as cocodamol, for pain relief.

Most of my pain from PMR has gone but the Pred is not hitting the OA as I expected it would. Any advice would be so helpful, I’m on 15 mg Pred and have been for 4 weeks.

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Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt
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45 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

I found, apart from when I was on very high doses for GCA when all pain was masked, like most that Pred does nothing for OA.

Pred is addressing the inflammation caused by PMR or GCA, and OA does not produce inflammation in the same way as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis do. Those two can be treated by Pred, but it’s not a lot of use in OA.

Stick to the painkillers and patches I’m afraid! Gentle exercise does help, depends where your OA is located.

Dontwannabesick profile image
Dontwannabesick in reply to DorsetLady

My rheumatologist confirmed this. I asked why my back pain was not controlled by pred. He said my back was OA, and not helped by antiinflammatory drugs.

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to Dontwannabesick

Thanks don wannabe sick, just wishful thinking on my part, hoping it would do the trick for both x(love the name) x

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to DorsetLady

Thank you Dorsetlady, I was under the impression it would relieve OA as well, just assumed it would,so even though I thought I was doing a good job researching PMR just show me how much I have to learn, greatful thanksx

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

I'm sorry to hear you are in so much pain from OA. I found my early dose of pred dealt with all my aches and pains, OA and other associated pains returning as the dose was reduced. I've never taken painkillers for OA although x-rays show I have quite extensive OA in many parts of my skeleton. I avoid nsaids for the reason that these can interfere with cartilage regeneration. And although studies apparently show that glucosamine is ineffective I have taken a high dose for many years (1000 mg twice a day in capsules, not tablets, with food) and believe it has been helpful. I have received physio and faithfully do exercises twice a day. My theory about the glucosamine is simply that studies have never gone on long enough. It isn't a painkiller but more likely a substance which helps to slow down damage caused by OA. I was first diagnosed with OA at age 40, now over 70, and think it was already starting in my neck and feet much earlier.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to HeronNS

I have taken glucosamine for years too. I got some from eBay at one point and was in a lot of pain having taken them (probably duds) then went back to my old supplier, so I have come to the conclusion they do work.

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to piglette

Thank you Piglette, have put them on my list x

Purplecrow profile image
Purplecrow in reply to Freshmimt

I use high dose salmon oil capsules for inflammation and pain of OA. My nurse friend recommended, and I found some relief within a few days. Just another brick in the wall.....

🙏🏽Jerri

piping9 profile image
piping9 in reply to Purplecrow

what brand of salmon oil pills snd how many s day

i am going to try that

Purplecrow profile image
Purplecrow in reply to piping9

Check at your local pharmacy or "health food" store for "wild Alaska Fish oil, "

I usually take 2400 mg daily, for last 4 years. Occasionally I slack off, and my OA flares again.

Use your best judgment about dose, etc, but get a good quality cold water wild salmon or fish oil.

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to piglette

Thank you all so much for your help, now maybe I can start the recommended slow taper x

jinasc profile image
jinasc in reply to piglette

Unless they are made in UK, Scandinavian countries< Italy, German and France don't trust them.

A certain company, who shall be nameless sells them at a low price, they are made in the USA and about 9 - 10 years ago the FDA put out a notice that some of those were imported from the country beginning with C***a and when tested had ground up seashells in them..................

When diagnosed with GCA my Rheumy stopped my use of Glucosamine & Chondriniton - contra-indication with pred. Check compatibilty with your Pharmacist just in case.

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to jinasc

Thank you, jinasc, I’ve a lot to learn x

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to jinasc

If you look up the Drugs website it says there are no known interactions with pred and glucosamine. I did have to stop taking glucosamine when I had my hip op as there were contra indications with some of the drugs then. Also if I had been taking Methotrexate I would have had to stop it.

jinasc profile image
jinasc in reply to piglette

Yes, I found out a couple of years ago and wondered what had changed from 8 years previously. I was really trying to get across to look at where they are made.

Thank you .

in reply to piglette

It's weird...I don't take them but I get them for my dog and she is walking better ....so who knows.

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to

Haha, well if it works for your dog, I hope it does the trick for me x

in reply to Freshmimt

Well I think we can say it's not a placebo effect with her.

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to

Yes, that’s certainly true xx

Hildalew profile image
Hildalew in reply to

A friend of mine told me that vets use glucosamine to treat horses - and that clinched it for her.

in reply to Hildalew

It's one of those things that is said to work better with...spelling... chondroitin...which comes from sharks. I am veggie so won't take it. These days I add other supplements or drugs reluctantly veggie friendly or not. The dog doesn't care. 🤣🤣🤣

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed in reply to

I can see you eyeing up the dogs supplements and wondering if you should just try one!😋😂😂😂

in reply to Blearyeyed

It's a shame I can't put the gif on I am looking at. She has just had her nightly pill followed by her bonio. She would fight me for the bonio ...not so sure about the pill.

Manchild profile image
Manchild in reply to

Awesome! No placebo effect with your dog!

in reply to piglette

You have to be careful with meds and supplements from China and India as well as some European countries further down the list.

ifpma.org/global-health-mat...

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to

People think because something is “natural” it is harmless, some of the things from China particularly seem to be lethal.

in reply to piglette

I was reading one and it has arsenic and other dangerous things in it.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to

They even have steroids in them!

in reply to piglette

Yes.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to piglette

At high doses at that!!! No wonder they worked ...

Constance13 profile image
Constance13 in reply to

I could recommend them to a few that I know then.😂😂😂

in reply to Constance13

🤣🤣🤣 do you think we would be found out??

Constance13 profile image
Constance13 in reply to

Of course not! Our friends on here would protect us!!! 😂😂😂

in reply to Constance13

🤣🤣🤣 this message will self destruct in 5 seconds......

Constance13 profile image
Constance13 in reply to

😂😂

Purplecrow profile image
Purplecrow in reply to

My Mother developed allergy which caused her lips and tongue to swell...just another thing to know.....🤣

in reply to Purplecrow

Omg. Nightmare. !!!🤪

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to HeronNS

Thanks for sound advice Heron, I have had OA widespread for many years, but not tried glucosamine, it’s on my list. X

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Freshmimt

Some people have told me it upsets their stomach, and I don't remember how it was when I started, lo those many years ago when I think I was getting tablets, but with capsules, and always having it with a meal, I've never had any problems.

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to HeronNS

Definitely going to give it a try, pain is getting to me again, horrid blooming thing, isn’t it? X

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Freshmimt

Give it a few weeks, and also check that your diet is helping you. I seem to remember reading that we need to include healthy fats for good bone/cartilage health. And way back, early on, I read that Vitamin B6 is supposed to help. Not wanting to take just one B vitamin after a bit I started taking the full complex instead, one pill every two days now, but years ago, when I stopped for a while, I think I did feel worse. It's hard to remember after all this time, but I know there's a reason I started taking it again and have never stopped.

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt in reply to HeronNS

Trying to ditch all the bad stuff, and easier than I thought, Doc says to carry on with my usual supplements as well as the new Vit D and Calcium, I will be rattling at this rate, but if it helps so be it, xx

Mimma profile image
Mimma

Only thing I can recommend is 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar ( with the mother) in 8 ounces of warm water- first thing each morning. It has helped my OA pain.

Freshmimt profile image
Freshmimt

Thank you Mimma,x

daworm profile image
daworm

I found that the higher doses from 20 to around 12 helped a lot with my “normal OA” aches and pains, now my knees and hips ache like before PMR...I’m at 4 1/2mgs now and using pain meds and ibuprofen 600 for the OA like before....my main complaint now is no energy till afternoon...must be pred withdrawals and adrenal functions not fully firing up.

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