Constant Pain Q & Osteoporosis Q

LolaCrayola

I would like to know if constant fluctuating pain is part of OA. Are we expected just to suck it up? It is a serious question. I have a range of strategies and some drugs and I am wondering if this is as good as it gets. My old doctor told me he thought total pain relief was unrealistic.

I also have a q about osteoporosis. While having my x ray and MRI reviewed the doctor asked if I had osteoporosis and did I take calcium tablets. I have reverse cervical lordosis and cloudy bone areas. I just wonder why he asked me. Seeing my GP tomorrow, but it is a new one as mine retired.

stickywicket

I can't help with the osteop but I'd be surprised if there's anyone with any form of arthritis who doesn't have constant pain. You do get used to it and learn to live with it but I think it's wholly unrealistic to think one can get rid of it - and probably quite dangerous in that one would have to take meds in increasingly dangerous quantities in pursuit of that ideal.

Mine's RA, now with OA, and I'm definitely with your old doc. We can dampen it down with meds but, for my money, distraction's the best option.

dreamdaisy

I've been in constant pain since the arthritis began, but that pain has altered since the OA arrived. That is a very different hurt, much hotter and sharper and it's there all the time. Pain relief is not all it's cracked up to be but it can dull the sharper edges and make life a little easier. Like Sticky I too am a believer in distraction - if the brain is engaged elsewhere it can't pay that much attention to the hurt. I think your old doc was on the right track.

As for the osteoporosis that can be caused by meds etc but calcium does help to strengthen the bones. I take it nearly every day (I'm a shocker for remembering it!) just to help my bones as much as I can. DD

tillytop

Hi Lola

I am sorry you are struggling so much with the pain.

Re the osteoporosis - I have osteoporosis and, although MRI scans are not the same as the bone density scans used to diagnose osteoporosis, I think I read somewhere recently that osteoporotic bone shows up differently from "normal" bone on MRIs. That could be why the doc asked you what he did.

Given what the doc said to you, I would be inclined to discuss this with your GP and to ask whether he feels a bone density scan would be appropriate. The results of such a scan can then be used to determine what, if any action needs to be taken - this can range from ensuring that you are getting sufficient calcium and vit D and as much "weight bearing" activity as you are able, to treatment with meds such as Risedronate to try to improve your bone density and to try to reduce the rate of bone loss.

Thinking of you.

Tilly xxx

Soretoe2

I'm afraid OA is very painful and can vary from day to day and even hour to hour.
Atmospheric pressure can affect arthritic bones, I can tell you if it's going to rain hours before it arrives and a thunderstorm leaves me unable to walk at all.
Basically it's paindullers all the way. Also distracting techniques, as mentioned by others on this formum many times. Sometimes surgery can also make a great deal of difference to pain levels in a particular joint or area.
Your gp should be offering you suitable pain relief. There are many options out there but it often takes a while to try various medications until you hit on what suits you. Most of us have to settle for a lot less pain relief than we would hope for. I have several options of pain relief prescribed which I take as and when I need them.
Your gp is right. Sorry your doc is retiring but you may be surprised how good the new one is. Sometimes a new eye on the problem can actually turn out to be very helpful.
Good luck tomorrow, there are also several options for osteoporosis and I'm sure you will be offered the correct medication if you need it.
Let us know how you get on. Joy

Fitzroy

I concur with the above folks. It hurts a lot of the time and the pain does get "hot" as one poster said. If I do everything right and I get lucky I do get moments of complete relief. It is only when I am in those moments do I realize how often I am in pain and don't really realize it. It's out lingering all the time like a noisy neighbour. Never enough to go shout at them but bothersome just the same.

As for OP, I'd say the calcium is a waste of time. That's just my opinion. You need load bearing exercise and proper low acidic forming foods. Lots of veggies. Same old stuff. From what I've read, your body robs you of calcium because of it's need to maintain a very specific pH and lots of foods create an acidic ash which is washed away by bone and muscle. Of course even if this is not true the proper diet will help keep your ticker happy and help stop those strokes etc. Keeps you thinner which makes it easier for us to get around.

tillytop

Hello again

Not trying to hijack Lola's thread but just wanted to comment on Fitzroy's opinion on calcium being a waste of time.

As someone aged "only" 45 with osteoporosis (and currently dealing with my third stress fracture in as many years) my belief is that calcium is vital. Obviously the ideal is to be able to get sufficient calcium from our diet but for many of who need to take meds which can put us at risk of osteoporosis (eg steroids) or which potentially affect the body's ability to absorb calcium (stomach protecting meds) my understanding is that good quality calcium tablets are essential (check with the doc first). I agree absolutely that load-bearing exercise is important - but when you are limited in your mobility, then this becomes very difficult and adds to the osteoporosis risk. I try really hard to eat a calcium rich diet and, since my osteoporosis diagnosis I am absolutely rigorous about taking the calcium pills (the words "stable door" and "bolting horses" spring to mind here :roll: ).

Tillyxxx

Fitzroy

Tilly, Greetings and thanks for your thoughtful reply. I'm sorry if I come across as a brash, know it all old f**t The one thing I have picked up on since being diagnosed with OA and researching what I can, is not everything is as it seems. The "modern wisdom" changes as often as the weather here. Firstly I totally agree, calcium is vital to all of us and no more so than sufferers of OP. I don't have it, but I don't want it and know I am at a greater risk because of my inability to move properly. My understanding, is that your body robs you of calcium from your bones and muscles when you eat too much acid producing foods. Especially animal fats, which of course come at is all forms. The calcium you would ingest from veggies displacing animal products would go a long way to supplying your needs and most importantly there wouldn't be a high demand for acid neutralization because you wouldn't eat the high acid forming foods. It's a win win scenario. You stay at a healthy weight easier, you move more, get bigger muscles, move more again and lose less bone mass. Perhaps I'm blowing smoke but a lot of the current wisdom suggests this is true. It is though, like so many life style choices, difficult to adopt.

tillytop

Hello Fitzroy

The opening lines of your reply above did make me laugh (that is meant kindly by the way) - and no need to apologise I know exactly what you mean about current thinking changing every five minutes - and I was interested to read what you have found out whilst you have been researching. I'm going to stick to my calcium tabs for the time being though .

Tilly xxx

Fitzroy

tillytop wrote:

Hello Fitzroy

The opening lines of your reply above did make me laugh (that is meant kindly by the way) - and no need to apologise I know exactly what you mean about current thinking changing every five minutes - and I was interested to read what you have found out whilst you have been researching. I'm going to stick to my calcium tabs for the time being though .

Tilly xxx

Tilly xxx - I notice a lot of people here are from the same family. All part of the xxx clan. Well sister Tilly, you should keep taking those tabs. I didn't mean to imply that you should go off and start a meditation practice in India as a means to wellness. My emphasis is on two things, why do we lose calcium (the old adage that we're getting old doesn't make sense) and where do we best get it from? To me the first question is an important one.

Fitzroy xxx (by adoption).

hileena111

Hi
I'm afraid I agree with you doc......pain can be eased a bit but it never goes away.....you learn to live with it or find distraction methods which help.
Osteporosis.....I know I have osteopinia [from a couple of dexa scans} but last week when a consultant was looking at the MRI of my back he was dictating a letter and mentioned osteoporosis in certain bones??? I didnt get round to asking him.....will do the next time.
Thats my lot....sorry cant be more help

Love
Hileena

merri

I'm sorry to say that in my experience, total pain relief has been unachievable. I think the best you can expect and hope for is for the pain to be manageable and within your tolerance. Having said that, the best thing that I ever did was to go on a pain management programme as it helped me to confront the issues I have and to work out ways around them. Things like relaxation and meditation help me to get a mental break from the pain, but as others have said distraction is key.

Oddly enough, the only time I was ever painfree was during a hydrotherapy session at a spa.

LolaCrayola

Right-o, thanks for all replies. Been feeling a lot better this week. Think I have been referred for a dexa scan by new doctor. Pain Clinic still in the pipeline.

tillytop

Hello Lola

Really glad it looks as if you will be having a DEXA scan and hope this and a pain clinic appt come through for you soon.

Tillyxxx

hileena111

Hi
Hope you get the dexa scan.....it will let you know one way or another

Love
Hileena