Pain Relief for arthritis

[Gilead]

Codeine isn’t working in part because I can’t take the required dose due to having colitis. The result being that I can barely walk, so no exercise and feeling low. Does anyone have experience of effective pain relief that doesn’t interfere with colitis eg No NSAIDs. Thank you.

Hi,
What sort of arthritis do you have? Sulfasalazine might help. It's a DMARD, helpful with inflammatory arthritis and colitis.

I have both osteo and psoriatic. I also have EDS. Sufasalzine hasn’t worked. I have Vedolizumab infusions for the colitis. Am just a bit fed up and feel I’m losing my very hard won independence.

It sounds nuts I know (and I’m usually the last person to recommend stuff like this), but I’ve been taking high dose vitamin c and a turmeric supplement for a few months and it’s worked a treat. I’ve had horrendous pain in my wrists and arms due to carpal tunnel and suspected rheumatoid arthritis. Earlier this year I was getting hardly any sleep as the pain kept waking me. I can’t believe how much it’s changed, I’m hardly ever taking ibuprofen now and the inflammation in my fingers has all but disappeared. Worth a go anyway OP.

I saw a recipe recently for a timer IV and honey tea, may be worth a go!

The FB groups rave about turmeric.

Hot water bottles.

Gentle physio?

@WinterAndRoughWeather

It sounds nuts I know (and I’m usually the last person to recommend stuff like this), but I’ve been taking high dose vitamin c and a turmeric supplement for a few months and it’s worked a treat. I’ve had horrendous pain in my wrists and arms due to carpal tunnel and suspected rheumatoid arthritis. Earlier this year I was getting hardly any sleep as the pain kept waking me. I can’t believe how much it’s changed, I’m hardly ever taking ibuprofen now and the inflammation in my fingers has all but disappeared. Worth a go anyway OP.

Can I ask for a link/name of the ones you use please @WinterAndRoughWeather? I'm suffering with this too and I'm getting desperate as nothing else seems to help.

I'm now on methotraxate and sulphasalazine, after years of being on naproxen and sulphasalazine. I came off both when pregnant but back on after and the naproxen didn't seem to touch the pain. So I changed to Celecoxib which worked for a bit, then didn't.

I went on a steroid for a while but no good long term, so weaned off that while starting methotraxate and now am on that and a higher sulphasalazine dose which has done the trick.

Steroids don't touch it. I've had a guided steroid injection into the hip that did nothing! Steroids are a big problem for me though as I have steroid dependency having been on them for so long with the colitis, which has of course made me severely overweight, which in turn has an impact on the arthritis. Grrrr!

@spongebobsleftsock

Sure no probs, I’ve attached a pic - can you see them?

I don’t know if there’s much difference in brands, these were just the best value I could get on amazon, as I got them delivered to Portugal (much more expensive here).

I started the vit c before the turmeric and I have to say that is the one that made the biggest difference, though there’s definitely been ongoing improvement.

I’m also taking an omega 3 fish oil and magnesium, as apparently most people are magnesium deficient and it’s important for nerves.

Good luck!

Balls, forgot the pic.

[quote WinterAndRoughWeather]@spongebobsleftsock

Sure no probs, I’ve attached a pic - can you see them?

I don’t know if there’s much difference in brands, these were just the best value I could get on amazon, as I got them delivered to Portugal (much more expensive here).

I started the vit c before the turmeric and I have to say that is the one that made the biggest difference, though there’s definitely been ongoing improvement.

I’m also taking an omega 3 fish oil and magnesium, as apparently most people are magnesium deficient and it’s important for nerves.

Good luck![/quote]
That's great, thank you. Will order now!

Well, rang the doctor for an appointment this morning. I’m still waiting for the call back. They closed at five. What are my chances? 😆

I have similar conditions to yours, OP.

Bummer, isn't it? Are you with a Rheumatologist or are still at GP stage?

Got both a gastro and a rheumy consultant, I am aged!

And yep, it’s a bummer!

I have psoriatic arthritis, and I couldn't imagine not being able to take my NSAID (when need be as I am relatively well controlled with a DMARD at the moment)

What does your rheumatologist say, I know they like to treat to prevent further damage [and they don't recommend alternative therapies, well at least my hospital don't]

What have you been able to take for your arthritis? Are biologics an option if DMARDs are not?

I have RA. I am always cynical about so called natural remedies. If turmeric was that good my Rheumatologist would be handing it out instead of expensive drugs with dangerous side effects. Having said that, in desperation have tried it. NADA, I suspect you have to believe in it.
I'm currently struggling to get a treatment that works after changing DMARDS.
Steroids help, codeine is utterly useless. Paracetamol every 6 hours. Naproxen but thats no good to you.
Topical NSAIDS helped a bit - could that be worth a try?
I hope your GP can help.

I have a Rheum, a Gastro, and a Derm, at the moment! I wish there was one auto-immune clinic. All their protocols and matrices for drugs are different, but ultimately it's one disease.

I'm pretty much in the same position op.

I have osteoarthritis, enteropathic arthritis (also have Crohn's) and EDS.

I now take maximum dose sulfasalazine and methotrexate which gave stopped the active inflammation but I'm left with the pain. I too can't take NSAIDS so now take tramadol and codeine. For some of the pain I've found pilates and yoga helpful but obviously lockdown put paid to classes and I've gone massively down hill. I also have private physio which helps temporarily but nothing takes the pain away completely or for very long.

Within a few hours at work now I'm in so much pain. By the time I get home all I can do is take painkillers and lay down. My life literally revolves around avoiding or trying to control the pain. Having EDS really doesn't.

Dermatology has recently approved me for a biologic, Adalimumab. Anyone else had this suggested? I'm on a waiting list, probably covid related.

CBD oil is amazing my dog had really bad arthritis could not go walks anymore now it's completely gone runs about like mad !! Make sure you don't buy the hemp oil it's not the same but ppl get mixed up

@redlaces11

CBD oil is amazing my dog had really bad arthritis could not go walks anymore now it's completely gone runs about like mad !! Make sure you don't buy the hemp oil it's not the same but ppl get mixed up

I've spent a fortune on CBS oil. Wish I could find one that works

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras heyyy this one is the one I used I have just bought it again as I found out my other dog has cancer there are different strengths I think this one is the strongest one then also u can get this raw am not sure if that's even stronger but I truly believe in cbd oil hope u find this helpful

I'm on biologics. Got an infusion on Monday. IF they give it to me, have developed Gross Motor Tics and have a lovely psoriasis patch on my leg. I'm on Entyvio. I've also had Infliximab and Adilumimab.
I can't take NSAIDS due to colitis.
Have had a chat with everyone today and we're agreed on trying a big old dose of Tramadol for two weeks, it creates less of a constipation affect than the straight codeine. Let's hope. I don't desperately want to go the route of Gabapentin/Pregabalin.

@redlaces11

CBD oil is amazing my dog had really bad arthritis could not go walks anymore now it's completely gone runs about like mad !! Make sure you don't buy the hemp oil it's not the same but ppl get mixed up

I'm very glad to hear it has helped your dog

@Gilead

I'm on biologics. Got an infusion on Monday. IF they give it to me, have developed Gross Motor Tics and have a lovely psoriasis patch on my leg. I'm on Entyvio. I've also had Infliximab and Adilumimab. I can't take NSAIDS due to colitis. Have had a chat with everyone today and we're agreed on trying a big old dose of Tramadol for two weeks, it creates less of a constipation affect than the straight codeine. Let's hope. I don't desperately want to go the route of Gabapentin/Pregabalin.

Tbh, I take tramadol and pregabalin - it's fine. No side effects from either. The biggest issue I have is with drs being too quick to push increasing the tramadol rather than tackling the cause of the pain. So, I need a total knee replacement but they are currently reluctant due to my age, are purposely dragging out the referral process (so far it's been a year since I was referred, saw orthopods in November where it was acknowledged I have bone on bone Tri compartment arthritis and need a TKR) and I am no closer to being put on the waiting list. Their suggestion to manage the pain?.Take more tramadol. The surgeon said he's very happy for me to increase my dose much more than I'm currently taking. Well great, but I'm not happy.