How to treat arthritis pain?

[Mstiles]

How do you relieve osteoarthritis pain since ibuprofen is out because of the prednisone use?

[piglette]

There are non NSAIDs available too. This article mentions some. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Mstiles in reply to piglette]

thank you for the information piglette.

[Pixix]

I have Steroid injections. I also take Tramadol, but that’s prescribed for other pain I suffer, but probably helps the OA a bit. There’s also Flexiseq, a gel you rub in. It’s not a prescription drug, you can buy it online. I guess you may get it in a pharmacy in the US or the large company beginning with A!! Lots of info on Versus Arthritis web (though I realise this is a uk charity, & there’s a forum for arthritis on this web site, too. What does your doctor say? Have you searched on this site, questions come up quite often (especially considering it’s a PMR/GCA forum!!!!). But I get a lot of pain still, as worst part is my thumbs, wrists. I have splints & compression gloves, thumb splints & night splints. I was also referred to a hand specialist, who issued those, & have exercises to do daily. If you have it in your feet, custom made orthotics can help, but I was referred to orthotics by a specialist. The orthotics, or insoles, cost over £100 a pair, & you get two pairs free. Just my thoughts only…it may be in your hips & knees…& lead to replacements?!

[Mstiles in reply to Pixix]

thanx for the detailed reply Pixix, having it in your hands must be miserable.

I’ve done a little research, just asking the forum now as I’ve been feeling so rotten haven’t wanted to be online much. The whole “is it PMR or something else” question we deal with! I have an appt with my primary doctor next week so maybe I’ll get more answers

[Mstiles in reply to Mstiles]

have any diet changes help yo at all? I was pretty good with the low carb and sugar routine until last holiday season and then really went off track, so that may be playing a role also.

[Pixix in reply to Mstiles]

Yes, it is…most of my hobbies use the hands, piano playing, gardening, baking, crochet, macrame, all are now painful! Think of joining the arthritis forum, you don’t have to join in, or post, but you’ll find answers in that forum & lots of info. I understand. I’ve just been ‘ordered’ to get off pred within 3 months, & if I get a flare up like last year, I’m not to increase it, but to just ‘tough it out’! Ibuprofen affects my stomach too badly, so I’ve not been able to take it fir about 15 years now. Diet..l cut out all carbs for 2 weeks a month ago. None. I weighed & id put on 5lbs. I didn’t cheat. My arthritis was no different at all! The weather affects it, though…the cold and/or the damp!! Hope you get on well at your doctor’s appointment! S x

[Mstiles in reply to Pixix]

Yes, I bet the weather has definitely caused problems. I’m in Northern California and we have had 3 solid months of rain! - “atmospheric rivers” coming in off the Pacific . We’re just now getting spring sunny days.

I’ll check out the arthritis forum, thank you.

I’m an artist and boy it would be so depressing to have painful hands, although I don’t think using a brush wouldn’t be as hard as macrame or knitting. Have you ever tried painting? Water colors are light weight and easy to mix. Or maybe a collage using torn paper wouldn’t stress your hands so much.

Hope you’re feeling better soon and not sure that “just tough” it out when you have a flare is helpful. I’m not a doctor, have you asked the forum about it?

Thanks for your reply, be well

[Pixix in reply to Mstiles]

oh yes, you’ve had a bad time. I’ve been watching a bit! Due to Covid se missed our 40th wedding anniversary trip…I put our USA trips together myself, we did 3 weeks in Colorado, & we were going to fly into Reno, go to yosemite & a Laje Tahoe & Mammoth, then south for the huge trees (brain fog…sorry), sequoias, that’s it, & a few other parks, then either go back up to Reno or from Vegas, not visiting Vegas, though. But all out now as can’t afford the travel insurance with my current medical problems! Weeent to California for our honeymoon! I really appreciate your comments & I like to pencil draw, but sadly, it’s the holding of anything that brings thumb & index finger together, like holding a brush, or pencil, that’s the most painful. Oh yes, I reported my specialist visit in full a few weeks ago, everybody was anoyed/angry/sad…I did it so others may know what can happen…I’d prepared notes, questions etc, I’d waited nearly a year for an appointment & it all went wrong! But that’s life, & lucky I fully aware of what symptoms can mean an adrenal crisis, as he never mentioned it! You’re right..’toughing it out’ can be dangerous! Take care, hugs, S x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Flexiseq is worth a try - pricey, but if it works then very often on offer -

flexiseq.com/

I also use green-lipped mussel extract -

pernaton.co.uk/

Ibruprofen gel can be used sparingly - just not the capsules/tablets…

[Mstiles in reply to DorsetLady]

thanks Dorset Lady,

I’ve heard of Flexiseq, have you ever tried it? Green-lipped mussel extract is one I have not heard of, what does it do? Have you tried it? One last question, ibuprofen comes in another form? I Haven’t heard capsules or tablets shouldn’t be used.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mstiles]

Used flexiseq for long time - the only time it didn’t work was on knee when it was bone on bone. It needs cartilage to work on -and it’s keeping my shoulder under control. I alternate it with G-L mussel extract (for joint aches-blue). The muscle rub (red) is more like Deep Heat or similar.

In UK Ibruprofen comes as a topical gel which can be used sparingly or as tablets/capsules. ..which shouldn’t be used regularly alongside Pred.

[Mstiles in reply to DorsetLady]

Wonder if G-L mussel extract is a Brit item? Would certainly work better with prednisone than ibuprofen. I’ll look it up.

The gel ibuprofen is probably the Voltaren or generic Diclofenac , (generic), available by prescription over here. It helps me but the pain relief doesn’t seem to last very long. I guess it’s not good to use it on a daily basis.

I’m wondering if I need more information about the left hip and right ankle pain before I try more pred. If it’s something else causing the pain, seems like pred would just mask the underlying issues.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mstiles]

no - originally NZ Green Lipped mussels - but found this link for US -

beautyceuticalsllc.com/shop...

[Mstiles in reply to DorsetLady]

thank you

[Thelmarina in reply to Mstiles]

I’ve found more stiffness etc with lower dosage of Pred, so think these symptoms have been masked. Currently on 6.5 msg but when I reduced to 6 back came shoulder pain - so I think we just have to experiment, take our time and the symptoms belonging to each illness become clearer. But then my glass tends to be half full 😂

[Mstiles in reply to Thelmarina]

having a glass half full helps!

Do you have a supportive doctor that supports you increasing pred when you feel you have to and whonhelps to rule out other causes of pain?

That has been a struggle for me, like others I’ve read a lot about that issue on here.

[Thelmarina in reply to Mstiles]

I have a great GP who leaves me to it and coughs up the Pred as required. I’m seeing my rheumie next week and she’s pretty good too. I do know how lucky I am. Some of the stories here are just dreadful and add so much to the stress of this wretched illness! X

[Mstiles in reply to Thelmarina]

👍

[Bcol]

Co-Codamol is my go to for my OA , think that might beTylonel 4 in the states. The various gels never did anything for me. Naproxen (NSAID)also worked well but I stopped that even before starting the Pred.

[Mstiles in reply to Bcol]

I’ll ask my GP about it. Thanks Bcol

[Prof99 in reply to Mstiles]

Yep, Co-codamol works for me too.