Pain pain pain

Starburst

In a bid to find out what's making me so poorly, my GP suggested stopping co-codamol. Having been on the 30mg/500mg dose for over 4 years, I was somewhat unsure. I've done it though, only taking paracetamol. I can barely walk and driving is a struggle (not to mention; sitting, standing and breathing!) but I did make it back to the GP surgery today. He then looked through my meds list and wondered if I should try coming off celebrex as well. This was me ----> He smiled too, so I think he realised that I'm struggling off the codeine as it is, not to mention I've been off my anti TNF since mid Dec!

With regards to feeling so poorly; my bloods came back showing normal inflammatory markers, so RA is behaving and there's no infection. My stool test has also confirmed no infection, so I've been referred to a gastroenterologist. I'm very fortunate to have private health insurance, so I'll be seen within the matter of the days and hopefully we can get to the bottom of this asap (and yes pun totally intended )!

dibdab

Just sending a few very gentle hugs- hope you get some answers soon so that some decent meds can be started
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Deb x

Frustrated

Things to try if not using pain relief:

Chiropractor/sports massage to increase mobility - though will be a painful process but they'll usually assess you first to see if they think they can help.

Biofreeze - a God send for me that I get from the Chiropractor though they sell it in Boots (probably can get cheaper online). Cools area. The only thing that helps when one or more of my joints is burning away. Voltarol gel did nothing for me though others recommended it to me.

Deep Heat / Tiger Balm / Lloyds Cream - all heat up muscles.

None of these will help joints really - but they can help the muscles that contract with the pain and cause even more pain as a result. The chiropractor uses a metal hammer that releases electric shocks to relax muscles and so on.

Other than that- meditation? Tens? Alcohol (internally applied)? Trying to concentrate on something else? (yes not always realistic). Hope you get some relief soon. I haven't gone down the pain relief drugs route as I don't think they work long-term though I fully appreciate those that do. I had severe back problems before the arthritis and took codeine for a bit and it really messes with your bowels. So the good news is that stopping it may eventually help you there. Careful with the paracetamol though - very easy to take too much and it damages your liver badly. Hope you're sorted very soon.

Starburst

Fab tips, Frustrated! Thank you.

I have a good private physio who I might see as she does great massage but pennies are a big tight post-Christmas. I love massages as they really help my back - thought not to be RA related - but given that my hip is bad, I'm a bit anxious about it. Again, it's not cheap.

dreamdaisy

I had my massage today, she did my back, shoulders, neck and head. At the end she asked 'How are you feeling now?' 'Great,' I said 'if I ignore the pain.' DD

Starburst

dreamdaisy wrote:

I had my massage today, she did my back, shoulders, neck and head. At the end she asked 'How are you feeling now?' 'Great,' I said 'if I ignore the pain.' DD

Did you just see a regular masseuse?

dreamdaisy

Yes, I do. I am very lucky in that she was one of my neighbours, a fully-trained and qualified sports masseuse and she has been 'hurting' me for at least ten years. I have not moved too far away so she can still come and beat me up (our standing joke). She has the smile of an angel and the thumbs of Torquemada (sp?) She was the only person I could stomach working my left knee after my synovectomies (when I was able to stomach a massage that is). I am not talking footling beauty massages - she gets stuck in and tonight I am reaping the benefits of my earlier forty-five minutes of agony (for which I paid the princely sum of £12.50). DD