Pain meds (can anyone help)

joann1

Hi to everyone

hope you all having a relaxing night

just a quick email, would anyone be able to recommend some new medication to me, im currently taking

paracetamol
codeine
ibuprofen
dihydracodeine (through the night)

i have osteoarthritis of both knees and im having problems with the dihydracodeine they having an adverse affect with me, they suppose to help with pain through the night and knock me off to sleep, they are helping mild pain but keeping me awake it a nightmare cant remember the last time i had a proper nights sleep, ive tried tramadol, amitryptiline, diclofenac & naproxen which to be honest dont do anything, someone suggest that i ask to be referred to a rheumatologist but i thought you could only be referredto them if you had rheumotoid athritis and not oseoarthritis, can anyone help me, im getting desperate

Jo-Ann
x x

valval

think they can also send you to a pain management course or some such some one on here went not long ago can not remember who but they help manage the pain and give better meds good luck val

loopylou

Hi

Can't help with the pain meds as the one i've taken before is one you've listed, just wanted to say that I see a rheumatologist and I have Psoriatic arthritis. Don't think the 'rheum' part of the title is anything to do with rheumatoid arthritis think thats just the name of the specialism.
You should ask your doctor about refering you to a rheumatologist.

Lou
-x-

trisher

Hi

You still come under the name of Arthritis so I would ask your doctor if you can be referred to one.

I hope you can get to see one and be helped soon

Trish xxxx

frogmorton

Hi Joann

Miserable isnt it? Lack of sleep.

See your GP about a referral to a pain clinic - I know they can be reluctant to refer to rheumy if it's not rheumatoid and you can't go on like this

Love Toni xx

dreamdaisy

I am not sure what a rheumatologist could do to help: I've learned from the forums that OA is treated by GPs whereas PA and RA etc are treated by hospitals as their causes are different - the body attacks itself due to over-active immune systems. OA is a degenerative condition, wear and tear are the culprits. That doesn't mean to say you can't try for a referral but don't get your hopes too high.

As ever, however, it is finding the right combination of drugs that work for you which is the challenge here. I am no expert on pain relief but I am sure there are more options for you to try. A referral to a pain clinic is an excellent suggestion, plus further consultations with your GP. I wish you well. DD

skezier

Hi Jo-Ann,

I am sorry your having so much pain in your knees. Most rumo's don't deal with oa but have you ever seen an orthopedic surgeon? If not that would be what I would ask for if I were you. If you have seen one ask to be sent back again. Is them who deal with replacements etc and they may well help you a lot more than a gp does or can.

I couldn't make it through a day without pregabalin now. I am on 600 but normally get away with only 400 cus they do make me a bit wired, bit like being plugged into a light socket actually! They are good drug though for blocking pain receptors and they have a brother, Gabapentin, which I have never been on but do seem to be less effective.

I think you should go see your gp and tell them the pain meds are not working and can they give something else to try and also ask for a referral to the orthos. Let us know how you get on please? Cris x

elnafinn

For my knee pain before total replacements, I found diclofenac and coproxamol good for relieving pain. Unfortunately coproxamol was withdrawn and now cocodamol is on offer. That is codeine based. Nowhere near as good but does help. Constipation can unfortunately be a side effect though.

I have never been referred to a rheumi as I have oa. I did go once when a blood test came back postive for RA factor but in the end the rheumi dismissed that and said I had OA, as I had always been told. I never saw him again. My GP and later a consultant helped me.

Luv
Elna x

joann1

skezier wrote:

Hi Jo-Ann,

I am sorry your having so much pain in your knees. Most rumo's don't deal with oa but have you ever seen an orthopedic surgeon? If not that would be what I would ask for if I were you. If you have seen one ask to be sent back again. Is them who deal with replacements etc and they may well help you a lot more than a gp does or can.

I couldn't make it through a day without pregabalin now. I am on 600 but normally get away with only 400 cus they do make me a bit wired, bit like being plugged into a light socket actually! They are good drug though for blocking pain receptors and they have a brother, Gabapentin, which I have never been on but do seem to be less effective.

I think you should go see your gp and tell them the pain meds are not working and can they give something else to try and also ask for a referral to the orthos. Let us know how you get on please? Cris x

Hi Cris

I see a orthopaedic surgeon at sunderland royal hospital, im currently waiting for new stem cell treatment to ward off getting new knees for a few years, as its happens i got call from his sec today telling me that he wants to see me when he gets back from his hols in 2 weeks im just hoping that its good new, fingers crosed, i'l ask my gp about referring me to a pain clinic i feel totally worn out and keep coming down with everything going at the min
Jo-Ann

joann1

valval wrote:

think they can also send you to a pain management course or some such some one on here went not long ago can not remember who but they help manage the pain and give better meds good luck val

Jo-ann

joann1

loopylou wrote:

Hi

Can't help with the pain meds as the one i've taken before is one you've listed, just wanted to say that I see a rheumatologist and I have Psoriatic arthritis. Don't think the 'rheum' part of the title is anything to do with rheumatoid arthritis think thats just the name of the specialism.
You should ask your doctor about refering you to a rheumatologist.

Lou
-x-

Hi Lou

My gp doesnt seem to suggest anything, doesnt seem to want to refer me to the hospital for anything other then to see the ortho docs, il give him another try see if i get anywhere
JoAnn

joann1

trisher wrote:

Hi

You still come under the name of Arthritis so I would ask your doctor if you can be referred to one.

I hope you can get to see one and be helped soon

Trish xxxx

Hiya Trish

Got a great call today from consultants sec he wants to see me in 2 weeks when he comes back from hols, just hoping its for an op date

Jo-Ann

joann1

frogmorton wrote:

Hi Joann

Miserable isnt it? Lack of sleep.

See your GP about a referral to a pain clinic - I know they can be reluctant to refer to rheumy if it's not rheumatoid and you can't go on like this

Love Toni xx

Hiya Toni

going to go back to gp see if he can suggest anything else, il just keep badgering him until he gives me something else

Jo-Ann

snowball

Hi Jo-Ann I have been having problems sleeping for a couple of weeks now, I am in a lot of pain in the night and the diclofenac and tramadol are not working well so I am going to see if I can have a opiat based drug think thats how its spelt.

Julie xx

trisher

Jo Ann

Fingers crossed that you get the Stem Cells. Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

If or when you have had it done please let us know how you get on with it. Perhaps one day they will be able to treat everyone with stem cells for the OA people.

Love Trish xxxx

livinglegend

Hi Jo-ann

Unfortunately, we can't recommend any particular pain meds for you as we are not medically qualified and as we are all different, guessing what suits you could be very dangerous. As you will see your GP and Consultant soon, then you need to explain to them how you are suffering. In the short term you could ring the AC helpline number which is at the top of every page on this site, who may be able to offer you more short-term advice.

While many have really tried to help, you may have got a different response on the Living With Arthritis thread. Chit-chat tends to be more of a general chat area of the site.

I can but hope that things work out for you.

Joseph 8)

frogmorton

joann1 wrote:

frogmorton wrote:

Hi Joann

Miserable isnt it? Lack of sleep.

See your GP about a referral to a pain clinic - I know they can be reluctant to refer to rheumy if it's not rheumatoid and you can't go on like this

Love Toni xx

Hiya Toni

going to go back to gp see if he can suggest anything else, il just keep badgering him until he gives me something else

Jo-Ann

Good on you Jo-ann

Sad to say badgering is what we have to do

Battle on eh?

Love

Toni xx