Pain too much

Faith12

I hav3 Osteoarthritis and the pain,is really hard to manage. I have b33n in bad pain for a while went to see aGP yesterday but she object3d to all meds I had I have put biofreeze on once today but my mind is racing with negative thinking How domyou manage

Faith12

jonr

Hi @Faith12. I daresay you've been told to do physio and exercise, it will ultimately help you to manage your condition better by strengthening the areas around weakened joints so they can cope with the extra workload. BUT to do that requires effective pain management and that's what you need. Biofreeze isn't going to scratch the scratch. You need GP-prescribed anti-inflammatories like Naproxen usually in combonation with something to protect the stomach lining such as Omeprazole and that's just to treat the symptoms of inflammation. It'll take more than that to deal with the pain of bone-on-bone Arthritis.

I had to actually ask my GP to prescribe me drugs and I asked for them by name. If yours still refuses then I think swap GPs or surgeries. These drugs aren't going to lead to a huge improvement but they'll form part of a package of measures you can take to help with the pain. For help with inflammation use ice cold compresses, for stiffness it's heat from a hot water bottle, bath/shower or wheatbag. There are some supplements you can buy online or in Holland & Barrett, etc with proven anti-inflammatory properties such as Boswellia Serrata, Curcumin and Omega 3 fish oil. Pain relief can be via Co-Codemol or CBD gummies/capsules. I'd also recommend a TENS machine (Lloyds Pharmacies stick a good range) and alternative therapies such as Acupuncture. If you can keep active it will help strengthen core muscles and keep you healthy in body and mind. Hydratherapy is good and anything low impact like walking and cycling.

Sorry for the long post but really it all starts with decent pain management so you can do the Physio and exercise - the 2 go hand in hand.

Good luck, hope some of this helps,

Jon

helpline_team

Hi @Faith12, sorry to hear the pain is so hard to manage. @jonr made some great points. We’d advise reading the link below about managing symptoms, which includes details of painkilling medications that you can ask your doctor about. There's also a guide to getting the most out of your healthcare appointments. Information on other self management techniques that people find helpful, including heat/ice therapy, exercise, complementary and alternative treatments, and therapies is also included. Of the nutritional supplements, current research shows Chondroitin and and Glucosamine sulphate to be effective. Hope it helps.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis/#osteoarthritis-(oa)_managing-symptoms

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2023/june/how-can-i-prepare-for-a-doctor-s-appointment-if-i-have-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/diet-and-nutritional-supplements/

Thanks, Natalie, Helpline Advisor.

Faith12

I am not sure how to reply to Jon. I am going to have a device fitted next week which will activate my major back muscle but it will take about 4 months to relieve the pain. It is called Reactive 8. I feel desperate mentally saying I cannot cope I wish it would stop Oh I will panic or have a.meltdown. Pain unbearable cannot sit still We all think bad stuff some of you probably think worse stuff than me. How do I stop this when 5he pain,is digging into me.

I

helpline_team

Hi @Faith12

Thanks for posting again on the Helpline Online Community and sorry to hear you're in such pain. Although it may seem odd, low dose antidepressants can be prescribed by GPs as pain relief. They can improve the way your body responds to pain, whilst also improving your mood, emotional state, and helping with sleep.

As with all medications, there are risks and benefits to weigh up in discussion with your doctor. It's also important for a health care professional to consider potential interactions with any other medications you may take. As I am not medically trained, I am unable to advise on the most appropriate pain medication for you and would therefore encourage you to reach out again to your GP. It may be worth asking for a referral to a pain clinic which is run by teams of professionals that can work with you to find the right solution for you.

I hope you find the following pages on our website helpful: 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/

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

Best wishes,

Helen, Helpline Advisor