Volsaid Retard

laineyf

My husband takes volsaid retard for his spondyloarthropathy, along with 18 other tablets, and, due to the steroids that he takes, he developed type 2 diabetes. The doctors are now saying that his diabetes is out of control, and his kidneys are malfunctioning. They say that this could be a side-effect of taking volsaid retard, and are looking at taking him off it. However, they have said that if he does come off it, there is nothing else that they can give him for inflammation. Therefore, his pain will be worse!! He now has to do a 24 hour urine sample for them to check, and they have prescribed another tablet to help manage his diabetes. Does anyone else know about this side effect of volsaid retard? My husband has been taking it for 6 years, and things have been ok upto now. He is very depressed, has spent all of yesterday and most of today in bed, and has no interest in anything. I am starting to feel out of my depth, as I don't know what to do/say that could help him. He just says that there's always going to be something else, and that if he was a dog, he'd be put down!! He doesn't want to talk about the way he feels, he says there's no point. I try very hard to keep him positive, but it seems to be getting out of control now, as I have no idea how his kidneys malfunctioning will affect him. Has anyone else come across this please,and if so, how did you cope? Thank you very much.

speedalong

Hi,

No wonder your husband is so depressed and you feel so helpless.

I looked up Volsaid as didn't know what they are and learnt;

Volsaid retard tablets contain the active ingredient diclofenac sodium, which is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)

So now I don't quite understand, if the steriods made him diabetic why can't he take the NSAID?
There are many other NSAIDS - are they ruling out all of them?

I think you need more advice. This is complex as the docs dealing with the diabetes and the docs dealing with the arthritis are only specialists in their own field .. they need to work together.

I hope you find some answers, and soon.

Go to your GP too asap - as you need support too, being the supporter/carer is not an easy thing to be.

Speedalong

laineyf

Hi speedalong and thank you for replying to me. To be honest, I don't know why he can't take other NSAIDs, I think maybe because of his diabetes, but I'm not sure.Each time we go to the hospital we see a different doctor (very rarely the consultant). Then we have to give them a copy of his prescription as they never know what medication he is on, and after each visit, they somehow 'lose' the prescription that I give to them. Then we have to go through the list of medication, and they ask me every time why my husband is taking each tablet!! They prescribed them - not me!! The GP has done a medication review, and substituted mst with filnarine (does the same as morphine, but is cheaper apparently), and basically, he just takes the tablets, has the methotrexate weekly injection, and thats it. He's had scans, steroid injections etc etc, and he has told the doctors that he feels like a guinea pig and that they are using him to test medication on. He developes massive bruising on his body (for a while I feared he had leukaemia) all his joints swell up - the usual arthritis nastiness. It's just the fact that all he wants to do is sleep - he spends most of his time asleep now - and it worries me. I know when he's asleep he isn't thinking/worrying, but it isn't normal for someone to sleep so much, and to be so tired. sorry for ranting on, and thank you so much for listening and replying to me. x

laineyf

hi and thank you for your reply. There is so much I don't know/understand, so thanks for telling me that. His liver function and everything except his kidneys is fine apparently, so that's good. I just wish I could tell him something positive for a change!! take care xx

trisher

Hi

Sorry to hear about your hubby and you as well really.

It's no wonder he is feeling depressed, I think we all would being told that.

I have not heard of that drug, but I do know the one I'm taking is a little kinder on the liver and affects the kidneys.

I would think you should be able to ring the consultants secretary up, if you know jhis name then just ask to be put through and talk to her about making your hubby an appointment.

If you don't get anywhere then go to your GP ask/him/her that you want to see the consultant himself.

I hope your hubby gets sorted soon.

Trish x

laineyf

It is hard sometimes - but not as hard as being in constant pain, like all the arthritis sufferers on here. I have always taken my health very much for granted - not any more!! It definitely helps to come on here and talk to everyone. It amazes me how everyone copes. Take care - and thank you, I hope you are feeling Ok xx

snowball

laineyf wrote:

hi and thank you for your reply. There is so much I don't know/understand, so thanks for telling me that. His liver function and everything except his kidneys is fine apparently, so that's good. I just wish I could tell him something positive for a change!! take care xx

Hi laineyf i have rheumatiod arthritis and i sleep a lot and was told its called fatigue and the reasen i am sleeping most of the time is due to the pain, just makes you very tired. Sorry you are really going through it at the moment, like others have said talk to your gp, just a thought has he been reffered to a pain clinic i know some people have and have found it beneficial. Hope this is of help, take care.

Julie

trisher

laineyf wrote:

hi and thank you for your reply. There is so much I don't know/understand, so thanks for telling me that. His liver function and everything except his kidneys is fine apparently, so that's good. I just wish I could tell him something positive for a change!! take care xx

Lainey

You are not ranting, you are a wife who is very concerned about her hubby. Please don't think you are ranting.

Trish

laineyf

thank you very much for replying to me trisher and julie - I really appreciate it. We have a gp appointment next thursday, so I think I will write down all the questions I have, so that I don't forget anything. I have found before that I can't always follow what they say, so I will make sure that I get the information that I need.
Thank you everyone for your help/advice. I really don't mean to moan - I admire all of you on the way that you cope with your pain, and I hope that you all have a lovely Easter. take care everyone xxx

trisher

laineyf wrote:

thank you very much for replying to me trisher and julie - I really appreciate it. We have a gp appointment next thursday, so I think I will write down all the questions I have, so that I don't forget anything. I have found before that I can't always follow what they say, so I will make sure that I get the information that I need.
Thank you everyone for your help/advice. I really don't mean to moan - I admire all of you on the way that you cope with your pain, and I hope that you all have a lovely Easter. take care everyone xxx

If you forget just ask again, we will help you until the helpline team are available. I hope all goes well, if you feel a bit down come and join us, have a cuppa in the cafe talk to us.

I'm sorry we cannot do more for you. We are always here though

Trish xxx

laineyf

thank you very much - you have no idea how much it helps me just by talking to you. xx

laineyf

Hi Lynn
thanks for your reply. My husband takes fluoxetine (prozac) for his depression, but to be honest, it doesn't really help because he's depressed because of his health, so it's a bit of a vicious circle really. I just struggle to find the right things to say to him, and I try very hard to stay positive for him, but just now he is really low. I don't blame him - I would be depressed in his shoes - but his quality of life is badly affected because he just has no interest in anything. I know that there are many people out there who are much worse off than he is - but at the moment, that's not what he wants to hear. Thanks for your support. take care xx

trisher

laineyf wrote:

Hi Lynn
thanks for your reply. My husband takes fluoxetine (prozac) for his depression, but to be honest, it doesn't really help because he's depressed because of his health, so it's a bit of a vicious circle really. I just struggle to find the right things to say to him, and I try very hard to stay positive for him, but just now he is really low. I don't blame him - I would be depressed in his shoes - but his quality of life is badly affected because he just has no interest in anything. I know that there are many people out there who are much worse off than he is - but at the moment, that's not what he wants to hear. Thanks for your support. take care xx

Hi

I know just what it is like to have depression, it is like being in the dark and no matter how hard you try, you cannot find the light. Everywhere you turn it is just darkness. You feel so alone.

Your hubby, could be like I once was. The only place that I 'felt' safe was in bed. I could look at a few cups that may have needed washing up but to me it seemed as if there was a whole mountain and I did not know where to start.

When you feel depressed you have no interest in anything, you could go out and buy him the most expensive present that he would really like but it would not mean much to him like he is.

With the right help and feeling a little better in himself, he will turn that corner, or as it seemed to me find the way out that black hole.

They go hand in hand with one another, when you feel unwell you get depressed, when you have a lor of pain that drags you down even further. It is hard but getting sorted out will help him.

I do hope that he gets help and then he will feel better.

You know we are all here for you to talk to. sending a (((())) hug for you

Trish xxx

dorcas

Hi lainey,

I've just read your post and am so concerned for your hubby and you. :?

You are both going through such a tough time with the combined effect of arthritis, meds and depression. I can't help but feel that you are not getting all the help that you need?

As other peeps have said the rheummy needs to discuss with you what alternative treatments there are that might be more effective in bringing arther under control. NSAIDs and DMARDs are not the only meds for the spondylorthropathies so it may well be worth you asking what else might be available and appropriate.

My adult son has had depression for several years and it is a desperately lonely place to be... both for the one suffering from depression and for the carer. One of the signs of depression is withdrawal..and my son too spent a lot of time in bed/ asleep as he said it helped to shut out the world when he could not cope.
Again we had to ask for a change in anti depressants until he found one that did help him; it's such an individual thing finding the right meds but definitely worth pursuing and discussing with the doc . He also tried different forms of counselling and found cognitive behavioural therapy was the most helpful for him. If you have a community psychiatric nurse service that's a good place to start to unravel all of the issues and get the help your hubby needs.

The bottom line is that with all that is going on you both need support, advice and help....we are here for you and you can post any time, but you need the professionals around you to step up a gear and help.

please also consider phoning our helpline ...they will take time to talk all of this through with you. Many of us (me included) have benefited from speaking with our great helpline peeps.

take care and remember you are not alone. Iris x

helpline_team

Hi Lainey
This sounds so tough but I'm pleased to see so many people have responded to you with their support.
Its a good idea to write down what you want to say to your GP & take it in with you so you can write down his replies. Explain that you have been seeing different doctors and ask if he can give you an overview from the letters the hospital has sent him.
Next time you are due to go to the clinic ask if you can see the consultant, say how ill your husband has been feeling and that you really want to discuss his treatment with the most senior, most experienced doctor. Sometimes talking the the rheumy nurse can be helpful too.
Often just taking heavy painkillers and having lots of inflammation and pain can make people feel depressed.
Lainey, you're doing a wonderful job taking care of your husband. Never think that you're moaning or ranting to us - that's what we're here for, not just for practical ideas but to be that listeneing ear when you need it. Don't forget you can ring us on the freephone if you want to chat & talk things through.
Best wishes
Val