life without anti-inflamatory drugs

englishrose

I am 72 and have had RA for about 7 yrs. I take 17.5 mg methotrexate by injection, hydroxychloroquine 200mg x 2 daily and folic acid. I use tramadol, codeine and paracet. for pain. I also take omeprazole for tummy.
In January I was very unwell and was discovered to have stomach ulcers caused by meloxicam. They are now healed. As a result I am not allowed any anti-inflamatory drugs.
Up until a few weeks ago I only had problems with my hands and still felt fairly able and energetic. However these last weeks have been hell. I now have much pain in elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and feet and feel utterly worn out. My CRP is rising and my Hb is going down (I was very anemic after the ulcers). My GP told me very sharpley that there is no magic bullet and there was nothing else she could do. Is this to be how life is, dragging myself about? I used to be a great walker - but not now.
JANE

skezier

Hi Jane,

I just wanted to say Hi and welcome to the site, it is a good one.

I am sorry I can't really help except to say I sympathise and I know that don't do much. But someone else may know the answers for you. I think there must be some other kind of anti lam that they could give you though? Your gp doesn't sound too helpful, is there someone else in the practice you could see? Take care, Cris

valval

hi jane this is awfull can not imagin how u coping only have ostioarth. mild but would not have been able to walk last week with out antl inflab. is there a pain clinic that could help maybe a tens machine dont give up must be some help keep in touch hope things better soon

suncatcher

Just a hi welcome to site and sorry to hear you are unwell at the moment the stuff we have to go through i hope you will find some good heath comeing back to you soon. and you get some piece of mind all the best wishes in world joanne

breane

Hi Jane, Welcome from me too. Sorry to hear you are in pain and can't have the help of anti inflamatory drugs. I wondered if a course of steroids would help you.I have been on them for three weeks and the pain in my hands,wrists,knees and feet disappeared overnight.Although I do take anti-inflamatories and stomach protector as well.At the moment I am being weaned off the steroids before I see the Rheumy next week.It may be worth asking your Gp about steroids. Breane. :P

elnafinn

Hi Jane

I am sorry to hear you are not feeling at all well at the moment. You certainly do not need your gp to tell you that there is nothing she can do for you. I thought about a steroid injection as well or perhaps acupuncture. If you are still anaemic you are bound to feel very lethargic and tired. Sounds like you are having a flare to me. Would you think the same too?

Would your gp agree to upping your meds during this flare? Although more rest can help at times like this, you probably do not need to abandon what you normally do in the day. Perhaps a physio can help you when you experience a flare.

I am sorry I cannot be of more help but I sincerely hope you feel much better soon.

I send you a gentle hug too,

Elna

tamnwill

Hi Jane, maybe worth asking if you could have cortisone injection in the worst joints? bypassing your stomach? Worth an ask honey xxxxx

englishrose wrote:

I am 72 and have had RA for about 7 yrs. I take 17.5 mg methotrexate by injection, hydroxychloroquine 200mg x 2 daily and folic acid. I use tramadol, codeine and paracet. for pain. I also take omeprazole for tummy.
In January I was very unwell and was discovered to have stomach ulcers caused by meloxicam. They are now healed. As a result I am not allowed any anti-inflamatory drugs.
Up until a few weeks ago I only had problems with my hands and still felt fairly able and energetic. However these last weeks have been hell. I now have much pain in elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and feet and feel utterly worn out. My CRP is rising and my Hb is going down (I was very anemic after the ulcers). My GP told me very sharpley that there is no magic bullet and there was nothing else she could do. Is this to be how life is, dragging myself about? I used to be a great walker - but not now.
JANE

woodbon

Hello, I'm 54 and I have OA. For many years now, I've not been able to take anti inflammatories for the same reason as you.

I have tramadol and amatriptlyne and sometimes alternate the tramadol with co-codamol. I'm also going to the pain managment clinic, as I am getting more pain in my neck. My GP thinks they may give me steriod injections. Can you see a pain specialist . Lots of hospitals have them now, people like us, who can't take ordinary medications sometimes need a bit of extra help. I hope you find some relief. Love Sue P.s You're no age my sister, who is in her seventies goes on walking holidays in verious places many of them abroad.

pain0opain

englishrose wrote:

I am 72 and have had RA for about 7 yrs. I take 17.5 mg methotrexate by injection, hydroxychloroquine 200mg x 2 daily and folic acid. I use tramadol, codeine and paracet. for pain. I also take omeprazole for tummy.
In January I was very unwell and was discovered to have stomach ulcers caused by meloxicam. They are now healed. As a result I am not allowed any anti-inflamatory drugs.
Up until a few weeks ago I only had problems with my hands and still felt fairly able and energetic. However these last weeks have been hell. I now have much pain in elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and feet and feel utterly worn out. My CRP is rising and my Hb is going down (I was very anemic after the ulcers). My GP told me very sharpley that there is no magic bullet and there was nothing else she could do. Is this to be how life is, dragging myself about? I used to be a great walker - but not now.
JANE

HAVE YOU TRY SEEING AN OSTROPATH THEY ARE REALY WORTH CHECKING FOR A RELIFE AOF THE PAIN I SEE MINE AND THEY DO WONDERS IT IS WORTH A TRY

englishrose

Thank you all for your kindness and suggestions. I am hoping to get another app. with Rheumatologist re increasing methotrexate. Just before all this flared up I had a course of steriods, not much help.

also hoping to change dr's, working on this at moment.
Thanks again.
Jane

joyful164

Hello Jane

I'm also sorry that yu are going through so much at the moment.
When a GP turns round and says that he can't do any more for yu is terrible. I think some of them take a look at your age and think to themselves. "That's it then". I think I have been through all the doctors in our practice and they have all suggested and prescribed different things, but today, I managed to get an appointment with my usual dr and I felt so much better with his attitude, because he knows what I am going through. I've even had one of the other drs say to me "What do you expect me to do about it", with me sitting there in tears becauseof the pain.

I hope you get a sympathetic dr.
I'm like you, with taking anti-inflammatories because of my stomach.
I think everyone else has made excellent suggestions on which possible action you can take. Good luck

joyful