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.

I’m on the list for a hip replacement, similar reasons, bone on bone and due to EDS, the hip dislocated fairly regularly. If I didn’t swear like the proverbial sailor before, I do now!

@JamieLeeCurtains

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

I’ve got psoriatic arthritis and I’ve been taking this for the last year (I’d had to come off methotrexate as it was making me ill, and I was in pain all the time). It has really helped the inflammation and the pain. I hate having to inject myself, but it’s worth it.

Personally I find tramadol a very effective pain killer for osteo back pain.

I’ve got ankylosing spondylitis and find reducing wheat and gluten helps reduce the severity of my inflammation. It doesn’t stop the pain but definitely helps reduce the level of pain

@EllieQ Thanks, I'm hoping it works for my psoriasis too as well as the arthritis.

@Gilead Have you ever tried Enstilar for the psoriasis patches? I find it very good, although like all steroid based topicals it's not an ideal long-term solution. But needs must and all that.

Jamie, using Dovanex, seems to be okay.

I have a friend who has really, really bad RA. She's had knee replacements, ops on her feet and all sorts. She now gets Rituximab infusions every 6 months. She is well past the methotrexate and sulfasalazine stage, though.

@JamieLeeCurtains

Personally I find tramadol a very effective pain killer for osteo back pain.

Oh me too but it does scare me particularly when some drs are so relaxed about increasing the dose while others go on about how addictive it is. What if I go along with the orthopods and increase it from the once a day I limit myself to now to the four times a day they want me on? What happens when I have to come off of it? That really scares me

I find I can't just stop tramadol, @Hearhoovesthinkzebras. I cut down gradually over two weeks. After I stop completely I might have a few odd, sweaty, dream-addled nights, but then it's fine.

Currently I'm benefiting also from some gentle physio exercises. I had a home visit and the NHS physio worked with me on a few bespoke movements for my lower back (e.g. pelvic tilt).

Won't help the PsA but hey ho, it's something that isn't drugs.

@JamieLeeCurtains

I find I can't just stop tramadol, *@Hearhoovesthinkzebras*. I cut down gradually over two weeks. After I stop completely I might have a few odd, sweaty, dream-addled nights, but then it's fine.

Currently I'm benefiting also from some gentle physio exercises. I had a home visit and the NHS physio worked with me on a few bespoke movements for my lower back (e.g. pelvic tilt).

Won't help the PsA but hey ho, it's something that isn't drugs.

God, you're lucky to get NHS physio. I have to pay privately. Hospital referred me again in March for NHS Physio - not heard a word.

Got given Tramadol. (50mg one or two every six hours). Took one, nothing, took another an hour and a half later and was as high as a kite, but I could move! Slowly and still some pain but moving without sound effects is cool!

God, you're lucky to get NHS physio. I have to pay privately. Hospital referred me again in March for NHS Physio - not heard a word.

Well that's a really weird story.

I was referred in February by Rheumatology, and in late March received an assessment phone call from a senior physio at Trumpton NHS Trust (not real name ) to say while I qualified for care, they were shutting up shop till at least September because of covid. Ring back mid-Sept, they said.

In July I had a Care Act Assessment done by Adult Social Care who said there definitely were community physios working and advised in my plan that 'client should request GP to refer to community physio'. So I sent that section of my Care Act Assessment to my GP via the survey's new e-consult service, the GP made the referral, and two weeks later I have a domiciliary physio from the very same Trumpton NHS Trust.

Really, really puzzling. But good, obviously. I get home visits and the physios wear PPE and are lovely.

Yep, rheumatology referral here too. Had one a couple of years ago and had two sessions and then referred to a twelve week group course, which was very good. Referred again for a different problem and not even a whisper. Also started respiratory physio at a different hospital and that's been via WhatsApp which hasn't been great really needs to be face to face at least initially for assessment - how can you ask the patient to assess whether they activate their diaphragm or not?

Glad you've had a good experience though. My private physio works in the NHS and tells me they aren't allowed to do hands on treatment anymore. I'd rather pay and have the treatment that I need than a chat and a sheet of exercises