New to forum and desperately need pain relief.....

sarahchall

Hello, I am a young-at-heart 66year old lady unable to walk very far without really bad pain. This inability to walk has happened quite quickly - I was relatively ok a few weeks ago. I have had OA for 12 years and the worst part has always been very bad pain in my left thigh, all around hip and down the leg(sometimes). But I have always managed to walk a reasonable way without pain. Now I get very bad pain as soon as I set off - going up a slope is impossible. I have been referred to pain management clinic at the hospital and my appointment's in May. However the soul-destroying bit is I am getting absolutely no pain relief from really strong medication -Tramodol, Dihydrocodeine, ibroprufen - they only make me feel"spaced-out" for most of the morning if I take them before I go to bed and that's a really horrible feeling as you don't feel with it at all yet the pain is still so strong. I set off this morning to try and do just a little shopping but had only got a few yards down the road when the pain all around my hip/thigh kicked in with a vengeance. I believe my actual hip is ok - just a bit of degeneration, but my lower back was in quite a bad state 10 years ago so it's probably radiationg from there. I would so much welcome news from anyone reading this who has also found strong painkillers to not work in tackling the pain as this is making me so "down" and I'm not usually a depressed person. But I'm really scared now. Thank you, Sarah.

skezier

Hi Sarah,
Welcome firstly I hope you find this a good site, for me it's been very helpful. Maybe talk to your GP as anti inflammatories may also help you. I have been on Diclofenac for many years, they have given me 2 ulcers, they should give you something like Omoprozole, Zotton or what ever they use to help protect you from the worst side effects.

Its easy to say but you mustn't let it scare you. With the right treatment it is possible to give it a run, though you can't win. I find the diclo's work well hence still being on them but they gave me some of the nerve blocker tablets (mine are pregabalin) and though I'm still unable to take the full dose (they do space me out) I can take enough to do the job and stay normal! I can!!!!
The pain clinic may go for the steroid injections and they will help you. Its just a shame its still so long away.

I hope you find some support fro the site and also that your gp can help in the mean time. Have you had x rays? May will be there soon and once they have worked out whats best for you you should find it will all hurt less.
In the mean time, talk to your gp if you can. Take care

sarahchall

skezier wrote:

Hi Sarah,
Welcome firstly I hope you find this a good site, for me it's been very helpful. Maybe talk to your GP as anti inflammatories may also help you. I have been on Diclofenac for many years, they have given me 2 ulcers, they should give you something like Omoprozole, Zotton or what ever they use to help protect you from the worst side effects.

Its easy to say but you mustn't let it scare you. With the right treatment it is possible to give it a run, though you can't win. I find the diclo's work well hence still being on them but they gave me some of the nerve blocker tablets (mine are pregabalin) and though I'm still unable to take the full dose (they do space me out) I can take enough to do the job and stay normal! I can!!!!
The pain clinic may go for the steroid injections and they will help you. Its just a shame its still so long away.

I hope you find some support fro the site and also that your gp can help in the mean time. Have you had x rays? May will be there soon and once they have worked out whats best for you you should find it will all hurt less.
In the mean time, talk to your gp if you can. Take care

Thank you, yes I've had xrays and they just showed moderate deterioration of 2 lumber vertibrae - hip not too bad but there's only one person who knows what the pain is like and that's yourself. Yes it does now seem a long time to wait for the pain clinic but I have no option. Anyway thank you for taking the time and trouble to reply to me. Love, Sarah.

woodbon

Hello, welcome to the site, I hope you find some help here.

I have OA in my lumber spine and also my neck.etc. I find that co-dydramol and amatriptlyne at night help me. I can't take nsaids as I've had an ulcer.

Walking is a problem, but I try not to walk too far, especially on days when I feel the pain is worse. I had more problems with my lower back last year and found that my GP's referral to physio helped a lot. My Gp also told me that the amount of damage on the x-ray doesn't always equate to the ammount of pain you feel. That depends on where the damage is - a small amount of damage in the wrong place can give lots of pain - a lot of damage in some places causes little or no pain, its how close it is to nerves that matter. I hope that makes sense?

Yours sounds worse than mine. As you are in so much pain and its really effecting your life, I'd go back to my GP, if I were you. They may be able to offer some help for you. Have you tried a hot water bottle or heated pad? That helps me. Some people find cold better for them and use ice packs or peas wrapped in a towel. Its worth a try, if you haven't already. Good luck and take care Sue

skezier

Hi Sarah,
Lumber hurts! It could be radiating into your hips and Sue is right Diclo's are well able to upset your digestive system, their is a drug that are meant to be as good as diclo's and they are designed not to damage you. They are called Naprosyn and they are new age Nsad's. Listen my OA has almost burnt out in the lumber and I promise you when it does its hurts less than early or mid stage.
See if you can get some anti-inflammatories as any deterioration will mean soft tissue is being pushed about and inflamed. You take care and may will soon be here. Luv Cris x

lindalegs

Hi Sarah,

Just wanted to say Hello and welcome to the Forum.

We were all scared in the beginning and are still scared when we suffer from flare-ups - it's all part of worrying about the unknown and the future, I suppose.

I can't add anything more to the good advice you've already been given by Cris and Sue but please feel free to share your worries with us.

Luv Legs

petmad

Hi Sarah and welcome to the forum. I also have OA, I am 53 and have just had surgery on my neck. I have the lumbar thing going as well and my shoulder and base of thumbs and ankles . ( I always was a greedy one)
I use co-codamol, they come in different strengths and I am up at 30/500 just now. Also naproxen which I cope with very well despite problems with indigestion. I have gabapentin for the nerve pain and find this a wonderful pain reliever.

Like you my x-rays have never showed anything significant then hey presto I need an op. I agree with you fully regarding the pain...I don't care what the x-rays show...the pain is real.

I hope you get something to help you with the pain soon. Linda

vonski

Hi Sarah

Welcome to the site. Sorry to hear you have so much pain, hopefully it will calm down at some point.

I will send you a PM.

Love
Vonski x

sarahchall

woodbon wrote:

Hello, welcome to the site, I hope you find some help here.

I have OA in my lumber spine and also my neck.etc. I find that co-dydramol and amatriptlyne at night help me. I can't take nsaids as I've had an ulcer.

Walking is a problem, but I try not to walk too far, especially on days when I feel the pain is worse. I had more problems with my lower back last year and found that my GP's referral to physio helped a lot. My Gp also told me that the amount of damage on the x-ray doesn't always equate to the ammount of pain you feel. That depends on where the damage is - a small amount of damage in the wrong place can give lots of pain - a lot of damage in some places causes little or no pain, its how close it is to nerves that matter. I hope that makes sense?

Yours sounds worse than mine. As you are in so much pain and its really effecting your life, I'd go back to my GP, if I were you. They may be able to offer some help for you. Have you tried a hot water bottle or heated pad? That helps me. Some people find cold better for them and use ice packs or peas wrapped in a towel. Its worth a try, if you haven't already. Good luck and take care Sue

Oh thank you so much - yes I think to not do too much walking is the answer but it's a bit of a shock saying that as I've always done loads! And I'll mention co-dydramol to my GP.

sarahchall

skezier wrote:

Hi Sarah,
Lumber hurts! It could be radiating into your hips and Sue is right Diclo's are well able to upset your digestive system, their is a drug that are meant to be as good as diclo's and they are designed not to damage you. They are called Naprosyn and they are new age Nsad's. Listen my OA has almost burnt out in the lumber and I promise you when it does its hurts less than early or mid stage.
See if you can get some anti-inflammatories as any deterioration will mean soft tissue is being pushed about and inflamed. You take care and may will soon be here. Luv Cris x

Thank you, I bought some anti inflams today - 400mg ones - and tomorrow I'm going to take them with co-codamol which I've just found in the drawer. I HATE taking those tramodols - still got a headache from a spaced-out morning (if that makes sense!).

mash65

hi,sarah.im one of the o/a gang too.i also have cerical & lumber sponylosis. so thats my neck,shoulders,hands,knees.my left hip &
ankles have just desided to join in. :roll: im greedy too!!!
im also finding im not getting adequate pain releif,im on cocodomol
30/500,ibuprofen,zomorph & oramorph. amptripylene 40mg.
im due to see rhymy at the end of april & im gonna now push for pain management clinic,iv had 2 different physio's 5wks to remobilize my neck(i only have 70% movement left)& exercises to do at home.i tried different combinations of meds.heat & cold. i can get to sleep once im comfortable but wake in pain as soon as i turn over.
iv never been offered any steriod injections,i feel that im just being fobbed off & left to suffer.try the hot water bottle,heat pads or cold if u perfer.i have a hot bath then rub deep heat into my shoulders for a bit of releif before bed.
hope u get some relief soon,uv found a great site & great people for support. good luck. debsx

sarahchall

skezier wrote:

Hi Sarah,
Welcome firstly I hope you find this a good site, for me it's been very helpful. Maybe talk to your GP as anti inflammatories may also help you. I have been on Diclofenac for many years, they have given me 2 ulcers, they should give you something like Omoprozole, Zotton or what ever they use to help protect you from the worst side effects.

Its easy to say but you mustn't let it scare you. With the right treatment it is possible to give it a run, though you can't win. I find the diclo's work well hence still being on them but they gave me some of the nerve blocker tablets (mine are pregabalin) and though I'm still unable to take the full dose (they do space me out) I can take enough to do the job and stay normal! I can!!!!
The pain clinic may go for the steroid injections and they will help Its just a shame its still so long away.

I hope you find some support fro the site and also that your gp can help in the mean time. Have you had x rays? May will be there soon and once they have worked out whats best for you you should find it will all hurt less.
In the mean time, talk to your gp if you can. Take care

Thank you, what do the steroid injections do then? (not very up on steroids!)

colinone

Hi Sarah

Welcome to the site and I’m sorry to hear your having such a bad time, I would talk to the GP and tell him just how bad the whole thing is and the effect its having on you and your way of life. There are different types of steroids and it really depends on the doctor. Now I’m not to sure about this and I’m sure the ladies will correct me if I’m wrong. The most common steroid in tablet form is Prednisolone, The most common in injection form is whats known as a depot medrone injection. The are all designed to ease the swelling and inflammation in your body thus easing the pain. Both work well for most people and one depot medrone injection can give you weeks of relief. Take care and keep your chin up
Colin

colinone

Hi again Sarah i know its early days for you on the site but if you would like to join us in the following you would be most welcome

On Wednesday 8th April we are going to try and set a new record for most people being online at the same time on this site. I think the time is set for 6pm if you can join us please let BADGER know. If you cant locate him have a look on CHIT CHAT FORUM under are we going to break the record. We need your help to do this so please join us.
Colin

skezier

Hi Sarah,
They are cortisone and a bit of local and they inject it either in to the joint sack or into the bone if its hip or spine/neck. The idea is they calm it all down and help with the information...... They can be very good but may be a 'bit' sore when being done. Normal steroid I seem to get problems with, only took them for 3 months and they weren't good for me but there are a whole family of steroids and cortisone for me normally helps if in the joint. Take care, Cris

joanlawson

Hi Sarah
Welcome to the site. I am 65 and also have pain in my hip/thigh but an X-ray didn't show OA, although I've got it in my knees and one ankle. It can come on suddenly,I think.It certainly did in one knee.

If you have had OA for so long, I can't understand why more hasn't been done to help you. The diagnosis for my hip is Bursitis, which is inflammation of the sac of fluid which cushions the joint. I get very bad phases of this and have been given steroid injections on a few occasions, but the last one I had didn't work.You can't have too many of these injections because they can make matters worse.

I take Diclofenac for my pain and also Omeprazole to protect my stomach. You can take Paracetamol as well as these. Recently, I have had physiotherapy and acupuncture, both of which have helped. I also use a Tens machine.These don't work on everyone, but they help me.

It is a blow when you find that you can't walk very well. Have you tried using a walking stick? I resisted it for ages, but now I use one all the time and it takes the strain.I bought a pretty one with patterns on it ,and I call it a fashion accessory!

I do hope you can get more help;May seems too long to me. I would go back to the doctor and ask what else you can do for the pain before that.

Joan

sarahchall

colinone wrote:

Hi again Sarah i know its early days for you on the site but if you would like to join us in the following you would be most welcome

On Wednesday 8th April we are going to try and set a new record for most people being online at the same time on this site. I think the time is set for 6pm if you can join us please let BADGER know. If you cant locate him have a look on CHIT CHAT FORUM under are we going to break the record. We need your help to do this so please join us. Yes that date SHOULD be ok - will check my diary later and if I'm free then of course I will help. And thank you for the help you've given so far - my GP had prescribed a lot of different painkillers and none of them have worked. So he said really and truly the pain clinic will sort it out as that what they specialize in. He told me people who are in chronic pain are referred to the PC as GPs are at a loss as to what do do next.
Colin

sarahchall

woodbon wrote:

Hello, welcome to the site, I hope you find some help here.

I have OA in my lumber spine and also my neck.etc. I find that co-dydramol and amatriptlyne at night help me. I can't take nsaids as I've had an ulcer.

Walking is a problem, but I try not to walk too far, especially on days when I feel the pain is worse. I had more problems with my lower back last year and found that my GP's referral to physio helped a lot. My Gp also told me that the amount of damage on the x-ray doesn't always equate to the ammount of pain you feel. That depends on where the damage is - a small amount of damage in the wrong place can give lots of pain - a lot of damage in some places causes little or no pain, its how close it is to nerves that matter. I hope that makes sense?

Yours sounds worse than mine. As you are in so much pain and its really effecting your life, I'd go back to my GP, if I were you. They may be able to offer some help for you. Have you tried a hot water bottle or heated pad? That helps me. Some people find cold better for them and use ice packs or peas wrapped in a towel. Its worth a try, if you haven't already. Good luck and take care Sue

Yes that's just what my GP told me - that xrays don't always give the true picture. Have you had an MRI scan as my GP said he personally couldn't ask for this it has to come from the hospital pain clinic. (I'm sure if it were possible to see my poor nerves on an MRI the doc would agree the pain must be bad!!). And yes I went back to my GP - crying a bit - and he said that he didn't know why I was in so much constant pain with all the analgesics he's prescribed but the PC would sort it out as that was what they specialize in and he doesn't. Will ask him about co-dydramol and amitriptyline. Thanks.

sarahchall

petmad wrote:

Hi Sarah and welcome to the forum. I also have OA, I am 53 and have just had surgery on my neck. I have the lumbar thing going as well and my shoulder and base of thumbs and ankles . ( I always was a greedy one)
I use co-codamol, they come in different strengths and I am up at 30/500 just now. Also naproxen which I cope with very well despite problems with indigestion. I have gabapentin for the nerve pain and find this a wonderful pain reliever.

Like you my x-rays have never showed anything significant then hey presto I need an op. I agree with you fully regarding the pain...I don't care what the x-rays show...the pain is real.

I hope you get something to help you with the pain soon. Linda Thank you - is gabaptentin as strong as tramodol/dihydracodeine as these two leave me horribly spaced out for hours and hours afterwards!

sarahchall

mash65 wrote:

hi,sarah.im one of the o/a gang too.i also have cerical & lumber sponylosis. so thats my neck,shoulders,hands,knees.my left hip &
ankles have just desided to join in. :roll: im greedy too!!!
im also finding im not getting adequate pain releif,im on cocodomol
30/500,ibuprofen,zomorph & oramorph. amptripylene 40mg.
im due to see rhymy at the end of april & im gonna now push for pain management clinic,iv had 2 different physio's 5wks to remobilize my neck(i only have 70% movement left)& exercises to do at home.i tried different combinations of meds.heat & cold. i can get to sleep once im comfortable but wake in pain as soon as i turn over.
iv never been offered any steriod injections,i feel that im just being fobbed off & left to suffer.try the hot water bottle,heat pads or cold if u perfer.i have a hot bath then rub deep heat into my shoulders for a bit of releif before bed.
hope u get some relief soon,uv found a great site & great people for support. good luck. debsx

Thank you, you are like me then someone else not getting enough pain relief. I'm so sorry it's horrible to keep on taking these strong meds only to find none of them work very well. Yes I can drift off ok too but like you wake in pain as soon as I try to turn over. It was the physio who wrote to my doc recommending pain clinic. Yes push for it - only you know the amount of pain you're in. Hope these PCs are really good and we can start smiling again!!

sarahchall

joanlawson wrote:

Hi Sarah
Welcome to the site. I am 65 and also have pain in my hip/thigh but an X-ray didn't show OA, although I've got it in my knees and one ankle. It can come on suddenly,I think.It certainly did in one knee.

If you have had OA for so long, I can't understand why more hasn't been done to help you. The diagnosis for my hip is Bursitis, which is inflammation of the sac of fluid which cushions the joint. I get very bad phases of this and have been given steroid injections on a few occasions, but the last one I had didn't work.You can't have too many of these injections because they can make matters worse.

I take Diclofenac for my pain and also Omeprazole to protect my stomach. You can take Paracetamol as well as these. Recently, I have had physiotherapy and acupuncture, both of which have helped. I also use a Tens machine.These don't work on everyone, but they help me.

It is a blow when you find that you can't walk very well. Have you tried using a walking stick? I resisted it for ages, but now I use one all the time and it takes the strain.I bought a pretty one with patterns on it ,and I call it a fashion accessory!

I do hope you can get more help;May seems too long to me. I would go back to the doctor and ask what else you can do for the pain before that. Reassuring to get your reply thank you. My OA has been up and down over the years with all sorts of different levels of pain but for the past winter it has got so bad - I was actually crying in front of my GP once as nothing of what he prescribed worked. Just spaced me out and I hated that feeling. He's said that really and truly the PC should be of much more help as chronic pain is what they specialize in and he doesn't. He's a lovely GP - just can't really help with pain management anymore. Well I can't see how a walking stick would help me as I get the pain as soon as pressure is put on the leg/foot - as in stepping onto it when walking. The other leg is fine. But I would still have to walk ON this foot a bit??( Maybe I'm being a bit thick here!?)

Joan

nickynysmon08

sarahchall wrote:

skezier wrote:

Hi Sarah,
Lumber hurts! It could be radiating into your hips and Sue is right Diclo's are well able to upset your digestive system, their is a drug that are meant to be as good as diclo's and they are designed not to damage you. They are called Naprosyn and they are new age Nsad's. Listen my OA has almost burnt out in the lumber and I promise you when it does its hurts less than early or mid stage.
See if you can get some anti-inflammatories as any deterioration will mean soft tissue is being pushed about and inflamed. You take care and may will soon be here. Luv Cris x

Thank you, I bought some anti inflams today - 400mg ones - and tomorrow I'm going to take them with co-codamol which I've just found in the drawer. I HATE taking those tramodols - still got a headache from a spaced-out morning (if that makes sense!).

reply

I too hated tramodal, and posted some questions. I was told explicitly by frogmorton, to keep taking them. I followed his/ her?
advice, now though I get spaced out, tramodol is becoming a friend when I have flareups. try sticking with them. I have osteo in both hips and knees, now after a morning in the garden, all I can do is sit down, and see what the night may bring-ouch!!!

Nick

sarahchall

nickynysmon08 wrote:

sarahchall wrote:

skezier wrote:

Hi Sarah,
Lumber hurts! It could be radiating into your hips and Sue is right Diclo's are well able to upset your digestive system, their is a drug that are meant to be as good as diclo's and they are designed not to damage you. They are called Naprosyn and they are new age Nsad's. Listen my OA has almost burnt out in the lumber and I promise you when it does its hurts less than early or mid stage.
See if you can get some anti-inflammatories as any deterioration will mean soft tissue is being pushed about and inflamed. You take care and may will soon be here. Luv Cris x

Thank you, I bought some anti inflams today - 400mg ones - and tomorrow I'm going to take them with co-codamol which I've just found in the drawer. I HATE taking those tramodols - still got a headache from a spaced-out morning (if that makes sense!).

Thank you - well I will see what the next week or so brings. Maybe you are right then if it kicks in after taking them for a while. I expected some immediate result as they are so strong - but probably that doesn't always happen.....

reply

I too hated tramodal, and posted some questions. I was told explicitly by frogmorton, to keep taking them. I followed his/ her?
advice, now though I get spaced out, tramodol is becoming a friend when I have flareups. try sticking with them. I have osteo in both hips and knees, now after a morning in the garden, all I can do is sit down, and see what the night may bring-ouch!!!

Nick

woodbon

Hello again
Just re-reading your post and I see you say 'just a bit of degeneration'. I really hate that term, I've heard it so often..... it just seems to be the medical professions way of referring to OA, which is, in fact, a very painful condition. For some people it can have a really severe effect on your life.

Don't feel you'r making a fuss about the problem you have, it can be helped a lot and the pain reduced, for a lot of people. You need to keep going back to your GP, until you find something that works for you. We are all different and react differently to medication and treatments. For instance, I get more relief from a hot pad, others here find heat makes them feel worse, but, cold packs are very good.

I do hope you can get some treatment soon. Constant pain takes so much out of you and makes you tired and depressed. Love Sue