Hello all, pls I am hoping someone can help with this pls
Friend with serious knee joint arthritis pain (inflamed, can't walk properly) he's stopped work due to it.
1st medication given by NHS consultant didn't work at all, 2nd medication landed him in hospital with all the side effects on the box and even more horrible ones such as vomiting blood and none stop headaches which morphine wasn't helping and skin peeling like glove. This hospitalisation was in July 2022
He stopped the medication and the consultant saw him on the hospital bed and said he does not know what else to prescribe because none of the medications normally used for his condition did not work.
He also gets steroid injection sometimes when he sees the consultant (every 3 months) it helps but wears off after 2 to 3 weeks. He hasn't had the steroid injection in months. Now he is in terrible pain moaning and can't sleep.
He is waiting for a letter of appointment to see the consultant in November but
I am wondering what else can be done for him. I am sure there are ways to manage arthritis and wondering why the consultant is not prescribed that he gets the steriod injections every month to manage the pain (or is it dangerous to have steroid injections every month to control arthritis pain?)
Should he go private? If yes, pls which doctor or private consultant or clinic is best pls.
He is only taking Collagen joint supplement (see attached pictures) he's only started taking the supplement 2 weeks ago so still not sure if it's working or if it's going to work at all.
Suggestions, opinions and recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks a bunch xx