medication to prevent a flare up

damon669

Hi group

I have been suffering from flare ups, for the past 5 years (although undiagnosed). The attacks mostly happen on my knees, (sometimes ankle, which I thought was gout), they happen for about 1 - 2 weeks, where it becomes extremely painful to walk, drive my car etc etc. I am leaning more towards that it is a cartilage. When the attack happens I take arcoxia, which at first seemed to help, but now does nothing, maybe I need a pain killer as well?
Anyway for those that been diagnosed, do you take any medication daily? to prevent a flare up?

damon669

babycham wrote:

damon669 wrote:

Hi group

I have been suffering from flare ups, for the past 5 years (although undiagnosed). The attacks mostly happen on my knees, (sometimes ankle, which I thought was gout), they happen for about 1 - 2 weeks, where it becomes extremely painful to walk, drive my car etc etc. I am leaning more towards that it is a cartilage. When the attack happens I take arcoxia, which at first seemed to help, but now does nothing, maybe I need a pain killer as well?
Anyway for those that been diagnosed, do you take any medication daily? to prevent a flare up?

Hi Damon Welcome I have been Diag..R/A...longstanding and do not normally take any prescription meds but trying at the moment with Panadol and an anti.nflam.... so far I actually feel a little bit worse but as I have exsisted in a more a less a flare up state Iguess my pain threshold is pretty high I have relied on nurofen plus to get me by NOT RECOMENDED so I have been told and loads of arnica jell on my knees I definately have an increase in pain after periods of stress rich food(meals out...ex) overdoing things maybe your GP could help with something stronger during the flare ups What is arcoxia Hope you feel better soonxxxBabycham

Arcoxia is a new anti inflam drug, that is supposed to kinder on the stomach. I also use Difelene, which is a gel. Both not helping much now. I think I will start going to the Gym again, and do some knee and leg exercises.

tillytop

Hello - you say that your problems have not been diagnosed, but it sounds as if perhaps further investigation is needed to determine the real cause of these flare ups. If you knew for sure what the problem was (or as sure as is possible because I know these things are not alway straightforward) you would hopefully be able to find out how best to prevent (or at least treat) the symptoms when they occur. I have rheumatoid arthritis and I do take regular medication to keep it "damped down" and then can add in extra stuff if needed, but your situation does not sound the same as mine. My suggestion would be to go back to your doc and push for further investigations and a proper diagnosis - and some effective painkillers in the meantime to try to help with the flare ups!
Good luck - and please keep us posted. Love Tilly x
PS: Hey Babycham - you were on line early today!

damon669

tillytop wrote:

Hello - you say that your problems have not been diagnosed, but it sounds as if perhaps further investigation is needed to determine the real cause of these flare ups. If you knew for sure what the problem was (or as sure as is possible because I know these things are not alway straightforward) you would hopefully be able to find out how best to prevent (or at least treat) the symptoms when they occur. I have rheumatoid arthritis and I do take regular medication to keep it "damped down" and then can add in extra stuff if needed, but your situation does not sound the same as mine. My suggestion would be to go back to your doc and push for further investigations and a proper diagnosis - and some effective painkillers in the meantime to try to help with the flare ups!
Good luck - and please keep us posted. Love Tilly x
PS: Hey Babycham - you were on line early today!

My Doctor has said, that a blood test needs to be taken when a flare up is occurring, but by time I manage to get an appointment, the flare up has gone! Normally get about 2 attacks a year.

Also would like to point out that my mother has suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for 35 years, (she says she was born with it), and has had both knees, hips, and 1 shoulder replaced. (she is now 66). Not sure if this disease is past down.

tillytop

Hi again - sounds as if docs are not being terribly helpful! Only thing I would say is that they must be able to fit other people in quickly for bloods at times - and if the doc says you need to have a test when the flare is happening, you may need to push the receptionist to fit you in whatever they say even though I know it's hard sometimes to get past the "dragons at the desk" (apologies to any "nice" GP receptionists out there - I'm sure there are some and it must be a horribly stressful job - I know I couldn't do it).

Rheumatoid is known to be hereditary - I know someone who is the third generation in her family to be affected so, if the doc doesn't know about your family history, might be worth mentioning it.

Final thing to say though is that, because these flare ups are just in your knees, it sounds as if it could be more osteo, rather than rhematoid arthritis. Rheumatoid is a completely different "animal" and, in my experience, although rheumatoid often starts in one place, it usually, quite quickly, goes on to affect multiple joints at once.
Good luck with it all! Love Tilly x

tillytop

[Hi Tilly I know it s an early start some mornings if its not A.........r its one of the cats wanting to go out lovely morning though take carexxBabycham [/quote][/quote]

Hi again Babycham - hope it was the cats this morning rather than A........r! And you are right is IS a lovely morning - just off out to water my cucumbers and beans before it gets too hot. Love Tilly x

damon669

tillytop wrote:

Hi again - sounds as if docs are not being terribly helpful! Only thing I would say is that they must be able to fit other people in quickly for bloods at times - and if the doc says you need to have a test when the flare is happening, you may need to push the receptionist to fit you in whatever they say even though I know it's hard sometimes to get past the "dragons at the desk" (apologies to any "nice" GP receptionists out there - I'm sure there are some and it must be a horribly stressful job - I know I couldn't do it).

Rheumatoid is known to be hereditary - I know someone who is the third generation in her family to be affected so, if the doc doesn't know about your family history, might be worth mentioning it.

Final thing to say though is that, because these flare ups are just in your knees, it sounds as if it could be more osteo, rather than rhematoid arthritis. Rheumatoid is a completely different "animal" and, in my experience, although rheumatoid often starts in one place, it usually, quite quickly, goes on to affect multiple joints at once.
Good luck with it all! Love Tilly x

Thanks for that Tilly,
I have also had flare up in my ankles, but also only ever one joint at a time! (I put them attacks down to gout, and I was unable to walk, that pain was incredible, and if that is the pain that most people go through, that would be very distressing)
Even with the kness, its only really one knee at a time. OK I know I need to see a doc. I think maybe that I will go private, next time, just to get a diagnosis.

Many thanks,

dreamdaisy

My PA started with just one knee, (5 years of problems) then it spread to both, then one ankle, then both, now it's toes, ankles, knees, sacro iliacs, fingers, wrists, shoulders and neck. The pain is constant, I was undiagnosed for nine years because I did not follow the usual path of the disease. There is a genetic component to some forms of arthritis, I think it would be worth your while being referred, and as soon as possible. I waited for ages, thinking it was something that would go away, resolve itself, I listened to too many docs telling me just that. I've learned my lesson.

Go and see someone and keep us updated. Good luck. DD

frogmorton

Hi damon

Good to see you.

Arcoxia is good for inflamation and pain too, but I agree with the others you may need soemthing else thrown into the mix to help. Hope all goes well for you and the docs give you something to help.

Keep in touch

Love

Toni xx