drugs for OA

daylily

Hi. I went to see the Doc last week and told him about my last x-rays that showed multi-level spondylosis of cervical spine with flattened thoracic spine and pronounced inward curve of lumbar spine.
He just said we don't treat x-rays we treat the symptoms :!: :!:
I don't understand cos I went because I am in pain all over.
Feet, ankles, right knee, had left hip re-surface that hurts still, right hip hurting, spine is very bad, neck almost unbearable and giving me headaches.
I take paracetamol and he put me on Ibruprofen 400mg 3 times a day. It's not touching the pain in my spine.
How do you get Doctors to take you seriously :?:
What meds do others with OA take to kill the pain :?:
It was a new surgery but it was also a locum Doctor.
I've just driven to town for a bit of shopping (10 miles) each way and my back and neck are really sore, especially between shoulder blades.Help please.

frogmorton

Oooh Dalily you must be upset

I would be.

I have had this when the paed said they dont treat EEGs with my youngest who has epilepsy

You went with pain and he didn't really listen to you.

you need to go again and write a list of questions and any idea you have like maybe referral to a pain clinic or physio.

Also take someone with you as for some reason they take you more seriously if you do.

good luck

toni xx

daylily

I am upset and it makes you feel a fraud doesn't it :?:
Why don't Doctors take it seriously :?:
Is it because they cannot really do much to help or is it because we're getting on a bit and don't matter :?:
Thanks for replying toni

barbara12

Hi daylilly
I am so sorry to read your story, like you My GP didnt take me seriously, after 2 yrs of seeing him I ended up changing GPs, it the best thing I ever did.
I hope you get some help very soon.
Love
Barbara x

tjc123

sending gentle hugs your way ((((((())))))

frogmorton

daylily wrote:

I am upset and it makes you feel a fraud doesn't it :?:
Why don't Doctors take it seriously :?:
Is it because they cannot really do much to help or is it because we're getting on a bit and don't matter :?:
Thanks for replying toni

I dont know Dalily

maybe it's easier for them to help those they can HELP more easily?

I dont know but I do beleive you are NOT a fraud and you need to go again with the hit squad! ( husband? friend?)

Love

toni xx

julie47

Hi daylily

just sending hugs to help cheer you up ((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))

can you not go to a different gp?

I wish you luck

Juliepf x

dreamdaisy

I don't know what to say, as I have a totally different form of arthritis, but all GPs should take pain seriously. We are affected daily by pain, it is constant and unremitting, with every single movement hurting somewhere. The next time you see him, how about kneeing him in the groin and pointing out that whatever he is feeling is about 1/10th of what you are putting up with, but at least in three days time his pain will have gone. You may well be done for assault, but think of the satisfaction.

You are not a fraud, you are in a woman in pain. Could you see another doc? I have only had one doctor that understood pain - he had worked in a hospice for some time and that had taught him a great deal about it. I think one of the major difficulties with OA is that it is treated by GPs - if one has an unsympathetic one it really doesn't help you, as a patient. Is seeing someone else a possibility? DD

PS Do you have problems taking codeine/morphine based pain dullers? Some do, but they can be very effective. I should be able to remeber your details daylily, but I am ashamed to admit I cannot. My apologies. :oops:

mirabella

You poor lady thats a terrible way to be treated,you definatly need to see another GP.I must be so lucky with the medical practise I belong to.I have the most wonderful lady doctor,although all the doctors in the practise,are pretty wonderfull too.When my hip collapsed I got emergency appointment,was seen within an hour,had blood tests there and then sent to hospital.In fact if it wasn't for there quick responce I wouldn't even be here as hip joint was septic.I have just been unfortunate as opted for needle in joint which gave me a very rare infection,which even now they don't know what it is.I had a wonderfull surgeon,who has really put himself out for me,although I think thats because I was such a rare case,I am now in the text books! I still have to have my blood monitored,now only every 6ks instead of 2wks.I am 2yrs and 2months down the road now,rcovering from my second hip replacement,and 5 ops all told.So go and get stroppy big time!!!!!!

daylily

Thanks for all your replies.
It was a locum at my new docs so I'll go see the main man next week, my sons down for a couple of days so I don't need a sitter for hubby. (he's disabled)
I just changed my doc because the last lot were useless-thought I might have more joy with a single doc practice.
I'll give new doc a chance before i make waves- I don't like being a pest with docs, I'm a quiet person usually :!:
Hubby's still with the old docs because it's in the village and he has to be near a doctors and they're still messing him about :!:
this is after I complained to the chief man at Local health authority.
Getting to end of my tether with this lot, I think there is an element of, dare I say it, racalism because we're english in a small welsh village. They certainly treat the locals differently.

dreamdaisy

'Tis true that the English are not that popular and I really hope that that is not a factor in your treatment by the doctor. It should not be, but people are people with all their foibles and weaknesses.

Dare I ask? Any sign of you-know-what? DD

daylily

dreamdaisy wrote:

'Tis true that the English are not that popular and I really hope that that is not a factor in your treatment by the doctor. It should not be, but people are people with all their foibles and weaknesses.

Dare I ask? Any sign of you-know-what? DD

Not Yet DD. I live in hope :roll:

dreamdaisy

I am sure it will turn up and when you least expect it (tho soon would be nice!). Take care, have a good Thursday and we'll chat again on Friday. DD

woodbon

Hello, I'm sorry to hear about the problems you are getting from your GP. It sounds as if he hasn't got much in the way of bedside manner, but if he's only a locum, I suppose they move about a lot, but that dosn't mean he can speak to you like that.

I have oa in my spine and some of my other joints as well and this week I've had problems with the physio, who had nothing much in the way of people skills and hurt me a lot. I was able to speak to the centre manager and she's arranged for me to see the senior physio tomorrow, she was very understanding and took the complaint seriously. I know its harder with a GP. Does the practice have a manager, I don't know how the Welsh system works and anyway they are all different, but maybe if you talked to him you could see someone else or at least let it be known whats going on.

I have tramadol slow release for pain and amatriptyllne at night to help me sleep. On bad days I can take the ordinary paracetamol. I can't take anti inflams as I have had an ulcer, but the tramadol slow release have been the best pain relief for me. Love Sue

speedalong

Hi Daylily, not surprised you were cross! What a stupid and insensitive thing to say. You went to him because you were in pain and you had the x rays results to say there is a physical reason for your pain ... not surprised paracetomol and neurofen aren't helping.

Hopefully the real practice doctor will be better than the locum. You can tell him the neurofen isn't helping.

I have OA I take inflammatories (plus a stomach protector) and paracetomol. I also have solpodol - various strengths - which I took before I had my hip operation.

Prepare what you need the doc to know about how you are feeling and also your diagnosis - let us know how you get on.

Speedy

daylily

A BIG thank you to everyone.

It does get things into perspective talking about it on the forum.
I've started making a pain list and will go back next week. I'm not coming out of his office till i get some sensible answers :!:

Reading all the posts it seems that there are a lot of useless, insensitive Doctors out there.
Why do they want to be Doctors if they're not going to treat people properly :?: :!: :roll:

Take care all
xx

skezier

Hi Daylilly,

Yes but he isn't treating the symptoms at all!! You need to see someone else and if not under one you need to see a ortho and if you do have one you nee to see them asap!

The drugs just are not strong enough and you need to get it sored flower. I had useless docs for 12 years and they never did take me serious at all so I managed to change but see if you can see someone else there first. Sending a ((( ))) and a hope Cris x

hileena111

Hi, I'm not at all surprised you were cross....At the beginning when my "leg was sore" thats all...I eventually went to the GP who said nothing wrong with it.....This happened time and time again until I calmly but firmly asked for a referral to the hospaital to see someone...saw a rheummy wh diagnosed OA in hips and lower spine...went back to the GP.....he put me on paracetamol......like you it didnt touch it and I topped it up with ibropruf. bought over the counter.....eventually a few years later I went and said I want a referral again please.....nice but very firm....he knew I wasnt going to take no for an answer....referred me to an orthopaedic consultant....he did an x ray and when I got back to his office he said "you need 2 new hips" Gobsmacked.....I think are the words to describe how I felt.....so just be firm and say you want a referral....i've had one THR done the other one was due at the beginning of Oct but they decided my back needed treating first so waiting for an appt for that.
Good luck
Hileena