To think there must be painkilling solutions out there

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor unfortunately pain is generated by the brain. That's the problem, some people are good at blocking it out, others can't.

Has your local NHs trust got a pain clinic? If so ask to be referred. They have far more experience in what to do to help with chronic conditions.
It's worth an ask, codeine and amatryptaline are both highly addictive, you get used to the levels after a while so have to take more and more for the same effect.
Codeine is very difficult to stop taking once your body gets used to it.

I'd be looking for a blood test to include ESR, CRP and Rheumatoid Factor at the very least.

I'm 60 and I've had OA since I was 38.
The worst part was in my hands but I trained to be a podiatrist and I use my hands daily and the constant movement of my joints and muscles has eased the arthritis 80%.
Same with my back and knees.
I walk 20 miles a week - hiking and it's improving, I really do believe that exercise stops the worst of it.
if I do no walking my knees start to seize up and the pain comes back.
Also being the right weight for your height helps no end.
Steroid injections were great but they don't do them here any more so I've had to look for other solutions.

Nerve blocks can be amazing, used for everything from cancer pain to osteoporosis

I had an occipital nerve block last august for the first time and I’m getting another at the end of the month. It has given me the most relief I’ve had from the OA in my neck. I had one in my shoulder at the same time and that helped my painful upper arm/shoulder. The neck OA is my worst area - the pain goes from mid back, up the back of my head and lands in my left eye socket. It makes me feel exhausted and foggy.

This makes me so sad, pain management is a relatively new separate specialty, as in available as an option via the GP, but it's so... random and poorly executed.

Ami is great, but why are you being given enough to feel like a zombie? For some people the smallest dose is helpful (5-10mg, not 70 for example).

Nerve blocks can be amazing, used for everything from cancer pain to osteoporosis.

There's a really interesting article from last month about how pain is so much more than "all in the mind", but even when it is, it still needs addressing!

The entire Guardian series

This is the one I find most revealing

I have moderate mid-foot arthritis, and I swear by Voltarol gel (the stronger 12 hour Joint Relief one) My husband found Biofreeze spray very helpful. Had to be Biofreeze though, not any of the other cold sprays.

I've only got mild to moderate OA in my shoulder but swear by a heated throw. Better than a hot water bottle or heat pad because it's big and you can wrap it all around the affected areas. It isn't super super hot but it is hot enough and it stays hot.
Downside is you have to stay plugged in so can't really move around the house wearing it.

Try looking at the WHO pain ladder, and if after trying paracetamol regularly for a period of time (I tell patients two weeks) you're not getting any relief, go back to. Gp.
Or if you pay for prescriptions buy over the counter Co codamol which is next step up from. Paracetamol.
If you can take ibuprofen add that in as well as paracetamol.
Many pat tell me paracetamol doesn't help but often it's not being taken regularly or given a chance longer term.
Add in all the other self help things, so regular exercise, even chair exercises if walking is too much.
Weight... Do you need to lose some?
Supplements.. Turmeric is supposed to be good.
TENS machines.

Unfortunately there is no cure and until you reach criteria for joint replacement which with current back log to cold orthopedic surgery is likely a very long time, you have to consider it a management plan.

Which is optimise pain relief, optimise lifestyle, optimise physical health.

I hate the narrative that pain is all in the mind It's so debilitating to have constant pain.

Tai Chi is great for arthritis. You can do it sitting as well. My classes are via zoom, so you can join in wherever you are.

I started seated, but am now so's much stronger I do the classes standing. It really loosens the joints.

My parents both have severe arthritis and osteoarthritis. Nothing helps. They have both had various tablets, accupuncture etc. Waste of time.

I have RA and I am going through a flare up atm. Painkillers don't touch it, but tumeric ( the real ground up root steeped in hot milk) has made a bit of difference. CBD oil does nothing.
I am allowed 3 short courses of prednisilone a year so I save them for when I really need to be able to walk. I get about 3 weeks pain free out of a 4 week course. Horrible stomach pain though.
I have had various immunosuppressant drugs. Everything makes me ill.
Heat packs and massage help a bit.
It is soul destroying.

[quote IJoinedJustForThisThread]@Suzanne999 I also went on a pain management course. It was a whole day, once a week for seven weeks. That was seven days’ annual leave I had to take……to be pretty much told that if I thought happy thoughts I wouldn’t notice the pain. That would be the same pain that 8 Tramadol a day didn’t make the slightest difference to (I stopped taking it cold Turkey and didn’t notice anything). Mind you, Oramorph never works on me either. Seven days of annual leave. Can you tell I’m still bitter?[/quote]
Yes, and I’m not surprised. Whoever thought of these seminars/ workshops, whatever they want to call them has obviously never had chronic pain.

My DM uses a tens machine and swears by devil's claw gel. She also takes Turmeric tablets which seems to help. When really bad, it's her knees, she has a steroid injection. I have it in my neck and found acupuncture helpful

@*Ghastlyghoul my teenage son has Chronic pain and Chronic Fatigue, can you say more about the nerve blockers please?

OP my son uses a heat pad. I've also heard tenns machines can help

@Suzanne999 I also went on a pain management course. It was a whole day, once a week for seven weeks. That was seven days’ annual leave I had to take……to be pretty much told that if I thought happy thoughts I wouldn’t notice the pain. That would be the same pain that 8 Tramadol a day didn’t make the slightest difference to (I stopped taking it cold Turkey and didn’t notice anything). Mind you, Oramorph never works on me either. Seven days of annual leave. Can you tell I’m still bitter?

Google Chair Yoga. Very gentle movements and no floor work.

I have an armchair that massages and heats. Also use hot and cold packs. Live on cocodamol and nefopam. Amytryptaline at night

I've had rheumatoid for 16+ years and nothing works. The only stuff that does stops you from living a functioning life. It's sad, but true. I do get some relief from edibles. Realistically you have to learn to cope with the pain. It can be very lonely.

I’m 48 and have painful osteoarthritis in my hands, neck and knees. I’m actually struggling to do my job my hands are so bad at the minute.

The Dr prescribed Amitriptyline, I couldn’t actually tolerate it -made me feel like a zombie-but two other Drs have offered it me since so it must be a common treatment.

I do take naproxen when it’s really bad. 500mg twice a day. When it’s a really, really bad flare up 750mg. Other than that, Zapain for times when it’s keeping me awake at night.

Just a thought, would swimming help @Acrackineverything ? My local pool offers in pool exercise classes which might be worth a try. They might have something suitable for your condition.

I completely understand, I've just had my first hip replacement at 45 due to end stage osteoarthritis in both hips. After being fobbed off several times, I eventually got a GP who prescribed tramadol and then oramorph along with cocodamol as it got worse. He referred me to orthopaedics and I had my hip replaced 2 months after the referral. My other one is absolute agony now, so I'm having to keep going with those painkillers until I get it replaced too. It's even worse since I had the first one done. Hot water bottles really help me too, as does sitting on a little electric blanket. Other than that I don't get much relief. I hope you find something that works, osteoarthritis is just awful.