If you have Arthritis how do you control pain?

[Pandemiccrisismode]

I have been diagnosed with Arthritis. I am waiting to commence on a long term drug which will prevent it but it takes 12 weeks to work.

In the meantime I am in pain and as a frontline worker I need to go to work.

I can't take NSAIDS like Ibuprofen or Naproxen but it's so sore.

Currently I have Tramadol and Co-Codamol. GP doesn't want to increase due to risk of addiction.

What else can I do?

[ppeatfruit]

I take Glucosamine Sulphate supplement (the problem is we all have different reactions to things). Try a more alkili diet. Fresh salads loads of veg like peas, carrots (no vinegar). Try to eat fruit BEFORE a meal, so for breakfast. Not as dessert. Ginger is also good as a supplement.

You may have reactions to red meat\pork etc. and 'deadly nightshade ' veg. like tomatoes, potatoes etc. You may not. Keep a food diary.

[Buttons4me]

I am in continued pain with carpal tunnel and maybe Arthritis. I can't wash dishes, I can't cook lovely tasty dinners, I can't hoover, I can't drive, I cant use scissors, I can't peel an apple or an orange, I can't deep clean, I can't clean the bathroom, I can't mop, I'm in agony when I write. My feet hurt, my legs are twitching away and keep me awake. I'm waiting for nerve conduction tests but think it will be a long wait. My daughter helps she washes dishes and does some cooking. She brushes my teeth when my wrists don't work. It's very miserable and debilitating. I had a reaction to gabapentin. I take paracetomol, codeine and ibuprofen which don't exactly do much. I am going to try tramadol next I have a prescription to pick up. I am sorry you are suffering op x

[Pandemiccrisismode]

 @Buttons4me  that sounds really difficult. I hope you get a resolution soon.

@ppeatfruit I will look into Glucosamine and I have heard Rosehip is worth reading up on.

[SirTobyBelch]

Why can't you take NSAIDs, OP? It is because of stomach problems, kidney problems or asthma? Or are you taking methotrexate? If it's stomach problems, would a naproxen/esomeprazole combination be a possibility?

[Pandemiccrisismode]

I can't take it because I have Ulcerative Colitis.

I am considering CBD oil. Has anybody else tried this?

[ppeatfruit]

I think it works well , it's expensive . I've seen it tested on telly. Pandemic

Dsis uses Glucosamine Chondroitin quite successfully . Not completely though. Ginger , turmeric work too.

[Pandemiccrisismode]

Yes it's expensive about £20 per week for what I would need for a good quality one. However I can't afford to loose my job or become addicted to opiate painkillers so I am going to try it.

There is a company Bud&Tender that does a sample 1ml bottle as a test to see if you can tolerate it.

Interestingly my parental controls on the Broadband router won't let me access any of these websites I need to go off wifi. Good to know that they work.

[ppeatfruit]

Are you in London? I know some HF shops sell it.

My arthritis has recently begun , it's not too bad (I'm nearly 70 ) I have always followed an alkili way of eating. The Glucosamine Sulphate works quite well, it\s much more bearable now I'm taking it on an empty stomach. I do a lot of gardening, painting etc. So can't \don't want to rest. I feel sympathy for you it must be soo difficult.

[CanIHaveAPenguinPlease]

Inflammatory? Or osteoarthritis?

What’s the medication that they’ve prescribed? I’m on leflunomide & hydroxychloroquine.

The best think that works for me is doing a 24 hour fast of no food. I also don’t eat gluten as that affects me. But I’ve done both with my consultant’s agreement.

[JustSew]

The main question is whether it's osteo or Rheumatoid arthritis?
If Osteo there isn't actually a treatment as such just pain relief.


Rheumatoid is a more serious disease and much more painful IMO (I have both). However there are many different drugs which can work for RA.
Mine was well controlled for 5 years with Hydroxychloroquine. However this stopped working in January and I have been in intense pain since then.
I can't wash dishes, I can't cook lovely tasty dinners, I can't hoover, I can't drive, I cant use scissors, I can't peel an apple or an orange, I can't deep clean, I can't clean the bathroom, I can't mop, I'm in agony when I write.
Yes ^^ to this. I would add I can't lift a cup of coffee in one hand.
My Rheumatologist is going to start a stronger DMARD when he is allowed to see me again after restrictions on hospital appointments are lifted.

I have never found anything that helped other than prescription drugs and gentle exercise, again best done with the advice of a physio.

My GP and Rheum have both warned me off glucosamine. There is no evidence it works otherwise they would be prescribing it. I did try it and it did nothing. Also tried turmeric, gluten free diet, vitamin D, Magnesium, Zinc. All nada. Snake oil IMO.

[Pandemiccrisismode]

Yes inflammatory. Prescription for Hydroxychloroquine on its way but hasn't arrived yet. It takes 12 weeks to work so my original question was directed at getting through the twelve weeks.

I find Tramadol fairly useless. I have better success with Co-codamol. Neither really leaves me clear headed as I would need to be for work.
As already said I can't take ibuprofen or any NSAID.

I already take Magnesium and Vitamin D.

Not convinced by evidence for Glucosamine. CBD oil evidence is intriguing enough that I am willing to try it. It arrives hopefully tomorrow.

[ihearttc]

I have RA and take Hydroxychloroquine. I was initially given a steroid injection to get me through the period before they kicked in but I appreciate that may not be possible at the moment.

Incidentally my Rheumatologist wanted me to take Methotrexate alongside the hydroxychloroquine but I refused as I wanted the hydroxychloroquine a chance to work first. I was diagnosed 4 years ago...initially I took 400mg each day but I know only take 200mg. I have a busy job (Im a TA) but at the moment my pain is under control.

[JustSew]

I think tramadol and codeine are similar types of painkiller which might explain why neither helps. Codeine does nothing for my RA pain.
Nsaids work but I'm not allowed to take them so I've been on paracetamol round the clock for 5 months. This week the rheumatologist has finally given me steroids until he can prescribe something stronger than HQ (which did a good job for 5 years). Already I feel like I'm on a pain holiday. Bliss.

The HQ may not take the full 12 weeks to work. I got gradual benefits after about a month and maximum benefit after 6 months.

[ppeatfruit]

An anti inflammatory diet DOES work. It takes a bit of thought and it's not as easy as just buying ready made food from the SM's . Cooking from scratch , cutting right down or out of pork and other red meats is a great help. (substitute with oily fish) . Eating fruit on an empty stomach is a great help too. Lots of water instead of too many teas and coffees . Green and or mint tea is better.

Evening primrose oil, and or linseed supplements will also help because most modern\traditional diets are very low on omega 3s . See the book New Vital Oils by Liz Earle for help with this.

[Pandemiccrisismode]

The CBD oil has arrived and I have only had two doses so far and I am only taking 4 drops so far but there is definitely a noticeable difference to the amount of stiffness.

I have Colitis so I have tried a lot of diets before. I really can't face another diet but I will look into Omega supplements.

[BurnIt]

What strength is your cocodomol? I take the 30/500 morning and night but I tolerate it well and it doesn't make me tired or muzzy. I team this with naproxen although I see that you can't.

I'm taking methotrexate weekly by injections which I have found to be a wonder drug. Before I started I was very affected walking.was difficult and the stiffness was awful.

I tried hydroxychloroquinine but it didnt do anything for me and I had an allergic response to sulfasalazine.

[BanjoStarz]

I have osteo-arthritis so not quite the same but pain is managed with a daily dose of eterocoxib anti-inflammatory, codeine 30/500, an anti-inflammatory diet and movement - gentle movement but the less I do the less I find I can do.

If I do nothing I start to seize up.

I also take a magnesium supplement and have a magnesium spray for joints that are especially achy. I also have magnesium flakes for warm baths to ease the pain.

And keeping warm helps the pain as well, I’m a lot more comfortable when the weather is warmer - I keep joking I need to fly south for the winter

[ppeatfruit]

Has anyone tried reflexology or acupuncture? ( I do acu. myself with my fingers called tui na) . It helps a lot . You massage sensitive points e.g. on your hands between the thumb and forefinger. That helps the upper arm and shoulder.

[Pandemiccrisismode]

Personally I haven't tried either.

I am only on Co-codamol 15/500 but they make me light headed so not great for work.

CBD oil has really improved my sleep.

[ppeatfruit]

How is it for the pain? It's good to sleep properly

[Pandemiccrisismode]

I am still only on a low dose and I have only been taking it for four days but so far pain is definitely reduced but still need pain killers. However big difference in stiffness which is really wonderful. It's still sore to move my next but not that sort of "crunchy " sore if that makes sense.

[Pandemiccrisismode]

neck not Next!!
Freudian slip

[ppeatfruit]

That's good. Apparently ginger supplements could be useful too, cheaper that's for sure!

[JamieLeeCurtains]

I'm on sulfasalazine which is proving something of a hard slog to get used to (for inflammatory arthritis). Only three weeks in.

[chipshopElvis]

I have osteo arthritis in my hip and was diagnosed at 27, am now 41. The answer is really that I am used to the pain. It used to keep me awake at night but I can largely tune it out or reduce it with rest. It does really reduce my activity levels thought. I can do more cycling and swimming but struggle with walking and standing for long periods.