Pain relief for already damaged joint pain with OA?

emsjane

Hi,

My left hip is really damaged by OA now and i was wondering if anyone has the same pain problem with damaged joints caused by OA and whether they have found a painkiller that does actually help stop/block the pain????????????????

knuckleduster

Hello emsjane

I had to have my right hip replaced in Dec 2010 and the relief I found helpful came from three sources. Anti inflams for the soreness in the joint itself, heat patches for the muscle pain and help from my osteopath. You should really speak to your doctor to see what is best for you. Keep the forum posted as to how you get on.

Best wishes.

Janet x

dreamdaisy

I've given up with pain dullers as they dull the sharper edges and that's that. Probably the best for me in terms of dulling and length thereof is slow-release tramadol but I save those for real emergencies because I don't want to get too used to them. The only thing that has ever worked completely is general anaesthetic but alas I wasn't awake to appreciate it. I reckon we have to learn to live with and cope with pain until stuff gets so bad that an ortho will condescend to replace the rotten joint. Grrrrrrrr. DD

stickywicket

I think you probably already know my views on this, Emsjane. I'm of the 'paindullers' not 'painkillers' faction. This was especially true in the weeks/months leading up to a THR. Do and take whatever helps but I'd doubt anything would stop it in it's tracks. Might your recent foot op have meant more awkward walking and so more pressure for it? In your situation I'd have a word with the GP and see if he or she has anything to offer.

Soretoe2

Hello Emsjane, as others have said you really need to go back to your doctor and discuss your pain relief.
Pain relief ( I also don't call them painkillers - never killed mine!) is very different for all of us.
Hopefully you have a good doctor that you could talk to about this, if not perhaps you belong to a practice where there are several doctors and could try another one. Sometimes even a good doctor may not realise just how much pain you are really in.
There are many different tyopes of medication that help us deal with different types of pain. Sometimes it takes a while to give them a try until you hit on one or two that suits you.
No one these days should be left to endure severe pain, our NHS has problems but is still able to provide most of us with adequate pain relief.
Applying heat or ice, depending on your choice is good. Heat pads both electric and microwaveable ones are helpful to hips, I had to sit on a hot water bottle for years before they were invented!
Hope you have a nice comfortable mattress,if not a large piece of 1" foam under the sheets is helpful. I also use a wedged piece of foam pushed under my hip to sleep, sounds odd but works as it keeps you straight and
helps support the hip. My surgeon told me to do this 25 years ago, he invented one for use in our hospital at the time.
I hope you manage to get your pain sorted out soon and feel much better.

barbara12

Hi Emma
I have quite damaged hips and a back to match...the only pain killers that worked for me were tramadol ...unfortunately I had to come off them, but some people get on well with them.
At the min I take diclos , cocodamols...and gabapentin for the nerve pain from my back....but they aren't has good as the tramadol.
I do hope you get some help very soon x

Helenbothknees

I too found tramadol worked best, but for me the side effects were worse than the pain. However, some people seem to be able to take them for long periods with no problems, so they're definitely worth a try.

emsjane

I cant take any NSAIDS as they upset my tummy too much! Paracetamol isn't enough and tramadol and cocodamol give me constipation, so i feel like ive got nothing to turn to now

elnafinn

Hi Em

I was prescribed Arcoxia (etoricoxib) when I could not tolerate Diclofenac after a number of years. I have no problems with this med and find I cannot be without it because I have tried on numerous occasions.

Have you been offered this med to try by your gp?

Elna x

dreamdaisy

Re the constipation, the doc can also prescribe things to relieve that. I have docusate capsules to help me in times of 'blocked drains' and my mum uses Movicol sachets. I also swear by a couple of pints and a strong curry but altering your diet can also help to ease things. Plenty of roughage is important and figs are a wondrous aid! DD

bubbles

Hello EM
Just to reiterate what others have said and advised. I started with Co codamol, 30/500, then amitryptiline was added, then pregabalin (with a kind of variable dose, give or take a capsule or two, now we have tramadol for those times when nothing else seems to work. I can honestly say that they are all pain dullers, to ease the day along, make it a bit more bearable to walk, or potter about. It has taken about two years to get the balance, just about right, with options to increase the tramadol (which I am determined not to do ).
Keeping your GP up to date, also Consultant etc helps them in their treatments.
Definitely a memory foam mattress though. Take care XX Bubbles