Nerve pain

lindseylear

I was wondering what to do with nerve pain my gp just sends me for unnecessary tests but all u want is to be pain free so I can work. At the moment I cant even dress myself but as a new week starts i have to dress my mum and go to work. Has anybody got any ideas as to where I go next. I'm 62 with Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis

CarylW

Hello @lindseylear

Thank you for joining us. We are a friendly and supportive group and hopefully will be able to share experiences and ideas with you.

I understand that you have osteoarthriitis and Rheumatoid arthritis and you are concerned about the nerve pain which is making it difficult for you to get dressed. It must be very difficult for you at the moment.

I don't know if you have looked at our website for information but you may find the following link useful. It's a starting point for understanding and dealing with pain.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/?_ga=2.197337773.348584091.1675673328-1148288736.1675349109

Do keep in touch with us and let us know how you are getting on.

helpline_team

Hi @Lindseylear,

Thank you for posting on our helpline forum, we are sorry to hear that you are experiencing nerve pain.

It would be most helpful for us if you could clarify a couple of things, which is, what area does you Osteoarthritis (OA) affect you please, is it you back or neck as these are areas that can be affected due to nerve pain and there are treatments available through your GP that could help.

Also are you getting help through a Rheumatologist consultant for your Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which is often the Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

We look forward to hearing from you again Lindseylear so that we can help and support you in managing your condition. alternatively, if you would like to call the Helpline on the free phone number below and speak to an advisor please do so.

Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 weekdays 9am – 6pm.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/

Best wishes

Chris

Helpline Advisor

lindseylear

Thankuou so much for getting back to me. My osteoarthritis is in my back and neck. I am under rheumatology but every time I go they say it's under control. I just have 5 of prednisolone. I was took off methotrexate when I had a heart attack in 2017.

Kind regard Lindsey

helpline_team

Hi @lindseylear

Thank you for posting on our Online Community and for your latest post telling us a little more about your osteoarthritis (OA) and current treatment. It sounds as if you have been going through a rough time, struggling with a lot of pain. I am sorry to hear about your heart attack in 2017 which means that you can no longer be on a DMARD to help control your rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I am glad that you are still under the rheumatology team.

It may help to talk things through further with your GP and rheumatology nurse. The rheumatology nurse helpline can usually be contacted between clinic appointments. A physiotherapy referral may be worth considering. You could ask your GP about referral to a specialist Pain Clinic.

I hope the information given below will be of some help. 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-spine/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/

If you would like to have more replies to your post, please repost on our 'living with arthritis' forum which is another source of support to help you be in touch with others living with arthritis facing similar challenges.

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helpline Advisor