Medication

HI i have just been diagnosed with OA and been prescribed parcetamol with ibruphen gel for my left knee. I know its early days but I'm struggling to get around. I cant take ibruphen tablets because I have a heart problem. Can anyone suggest any other medication please

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Hello @susy124 and welcome to the community

I would pop into a pharmacy to speak to the pharmacist and see what they suggest in terms of pain control, or/and feedback to the GP that the pain control is not working.

Best Joanne

Thank you Joanne. Will it ever get better

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/63287/medication

If I were you I would speak to your pharmacist about use of the gel.

I have asthma, bronchiecstasis and diverticulitis amongst others including a hernia and I also can't take anti inflammatories. When I asked my pharmacists advice re topical gel after my hip surgery she told me that I must not use any gel with anti inflammatory properties at all. Not even Ralgex or Deep Heat.

This was after I had to tell a Dr off in hospital for prescribing the pills after I had advised them I couldn't take them.

If they say no gels go back to your GP and get them to think of something g else.

Trish xx

I am sure that there is a way forward for you to manage the pain. It sounds counterintuitive to think about an exercise program when you are in pain, but do have a look at the link below. There's lots of documented evidence that appropriate movement is healing physically and mentally. Would love to hear how you get on if you decide to give it a go.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/lets-move-with-leon/

best Joanne

Hi thanks Joanne and Trish for your kind advice. There should be more help out there for people who need help with managing their pain that is best suited for them. I feel very strongly about this. We have all worked hard all our lives to be let down at the last hurdle. I feel for all everybody who are in more need than me and my heart goes out to them. They are so brave and I salute them.

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/726640#Comment_726640

I hope you have a good GP who is supportive. Mine told me 'You have Arthritis Mrs B and should be used to pain, there's nothing I can do" If you get that answer start telling them you need answers

Trish xx

No Trish useless lol. Anyway not to worry just waiting for my xray to see what is actually going on.

@susy123 certainly consider any exercise that doesn't put much weight on the knee, as the temptation is to have no movements atall, when legs and arms were meant to flap around all the time.

I had some great exercises for my knees by riding a reclining tricycle. It only took a few sessions to loosen my knees up. I do feel some twinges though when the weight is on, particularly climbing stairs so I take stairs really careful, being as I can tell that something is not quite right there,

Hi yes ur right baloo that's when it seems to flare up when I start using my knee and I think its over my pain and it all comes back the frustration and wishing I can go back to work. Maybe one day I will be back to my happy self.

Hi everyone I'm ok at the moment I have to not do too much because I know my knee could flare up. I'm resting now and starting again later to do some more cleaning at home. Its always on your mind is it getting better, will the swelling go down and when will I b able to go back to work. I feel guilty thinking I should be at work but deep down I know it would be a struggle do my physical job as a carer.

Hi what can help with very stiff knee. Anybody any idea what's best to use. Any advice welcome.

Hi I have just been to the pharmacy and given cocodamol for three days. I will c how it goes.

@susy123 good oh. Yes, my knees swelled up too, and its weird. They are still knobbly for some reason.

Most of the battle is to understand how the painkiller is going to work. I believe the codeine compensates for a natural painkiller that you would have obtained from exercise, I never tried it. Meanwhile the paracetamol in the co-codamol is just as strange, it seems to do nothing until you reach the full recommended dose (should be around 8 a day) and then you suddenly notice its actually doing something.

My aches are worse in the morning, so it helps to take the first dose straight away after getting up. On a few days it would be the only dose I needed, most other days I had to keep going and take the rest of the doses.

I save ibuprofen for emergencies like if I damaged something and it doesn't seem to go away, I can take one (one) and it settles down for a week. Your lucky if that happens as you can cut out the Ibuprofen most of the time.

Having a knee x-ray is helpful as it can tell you if the damage is mild or not, in which case you can be a little more confident in using the knee, or if not, a little more careful instead.

I have had oa for about 4 years and like you I can’t take anti inflammatories. However my gp and pharmacist both said I could use voltarol gel sparingly, which I did. I also found wearing knee supports helped . I managed it with exercises and especially with aqua fit, until earlier this year when it became much worse, with my knee giving way when I walked . I am now 9 days post total knee replacement, and although it is sore and my mobility not great yet, my knee isn’t giving way etc. My physio said my muscles are really strong , which aids recovery, which is down to the exercise, even though that was drastically reduced over the last couple of months. Good luck

Hope your knee gets better soon. I have given up on co codamol lol due to being very constipated and my mouth tasting like dry chalk. I am trying now the rice effect. It is very boring doing nothing. I try and do a bit of exercise inbetween. I'm hoping by thursday it will be have been worth it. I will venture out again hopefully with a better knee.

Susy123

Hi what a day today been resting and doing a bit of exercise knee aching unbelievable. I'm going back on voltarol gel and regular paracetamol. I will struggle again getting out around in the world. What a life if you dont weaken. Stay strong and positive. Onwards and upwards.

Hi everyone I feel better today taken my paracetamol and voltarol gel. Hopefully I will feel positive and maybe soon get back to working again and having a normal life.

Lol my pain as gone worst I'm awaiting phone consultation in the morning with my gp. Can hardly walk on my left leg and it's now aching most of the time when I'm resting. I cant sleep my head is all over the place.

I have been at AE today. Finally been properly diagnosed with OA in the left knee. I have been prescribed tramadol and lactose. As anybody taken tramadol.

Susy123

Morning @susy123 sorry to hear you are not so well with OA hopefully you new prescription will ease the pain for you.

I have not taken tramadol but have known other people who have and it has worked well for them hopefully it will suit you.

However have you been referred by your doctor OA clinic or consultant ???

Best wishes @naomi1933

Hi Naomi no I havent I will mention it when I go on thursday to gp. Thanks

Susy123

Good luck I will be back next Sunday keep me updated 😘

Bold move booking your emergency into A&E, because that's where emergencies are supposed to go.

Meanwhile go gently on that knee, because its fragile now, it won't do anything heavy. Take the bricks out of your rucksack or something.

Hi balloo I rung 111 first and they advised me to get to A&E within two hours. We have to grab the bull by the horns these days. I'm going to gym where there is a jacuzzi. I will throw my bricks away lol. Take care.

Susy123

I have started taking tramadol and touch wood it seems to be helping. I'm so constipated and having to take senna. Hopefully I will manage to go soon.

Susy123

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