Inflammatory arthritis and pain

[SweetieBaby]

I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis earlier this year. At the time I was prescribed sulfasalazine and then later on methotrexate. Methotrexate had to be stopped because of side effects buts the sulfasalzine was increased to the maximum dose. The rheumatologist has repeatedly told me that the aim of the treatment is to remove the pain.

The problem that I have now is that my inflammatory markers are normal but I have a lot of pain in my joints. The hospital aren't offering any different treatment because my markers are normal but still maintain that the aim of treatment is a reduction in pain. My instinct tells me that this pain is possibly due to the damage that occurred initially and is permanent but the hospital say no. The pain will go.

Does anyone have experience of this or any advice on how to reduce the pain? I am struggling to walk because of the pain and it is very difficult to just get by at the moment.

[AnneBiscuit]

Where you prescribed any pain relief? I have cocodomal and ibruprofen on prescription.

[Babyisinthecorner]

If you have to do the BASDAI scoring system & the results are high enough, you may be offered AntiTNF like me.

But on the basis of what the side effects might be, I currently am not willing to risk it.

Naproxen takes the edge off the chronic pain for me sometimes, as does warmth, especially when the seat of the car is heated, it's heaven.

[Notmyideamovingon]

Seriously baby take the anti tnf! The side effects are nothing compared to the site affects if uncontrolled disease. OP all gp for separate codeine and paracetamol take paracetamol full dose every day and add codeine and titrate up as required.lots of People with inflammatory arthritis have active disease and normal bloods.

[Littleoldme52]

If your results get to high, they will applying for funding for HUMIRA , please ask about it. Helps me big time x
Although at the moment I have phuemonia and am restricted to bed lol

[Sleepyhead11]

They gave me diclofenac potassium in a similar situation and it worked for a while, but that was alongside immunosupressants.

They've just taken me off MTX though, as DP and I want a family and mtx is really harmful to this.

[Sleepyhead11]

littleoldme - is that a reaction to the Humira do you think?X

[clearsight]

It is very common for people who are sero negative to have normal markers. I am sero -ve and my markers are nearly always normal but still get offered all the drugs that are appropriate for that condition. Push them on why you are not getting put onto other meds.