Taking medication for pain but still in pain

sharmaine

How is it that I take all this medication to ease the discomfort of my OA and I'm still in pain? Somedays it just doesn't make sense. I suppose if I stopped any of my meds then I would REALLY suffer.

I have OA in my kness but just lately I have been havingpain in my feet, right shoulder and in my left hip (OA in my left knee is very bad). If I do too much my hands stiffen up. I feel like the tin man in the "Wizard of Oz"!

Hopefully when I see my doctor next week she'll send me to see a SPECIALIST. Wish me luck that she does. My bad days seem to be too frequent. I want to remain optimistic and want to trust my GP but somedays I wonder if she really understands.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

debsmartin

Hi Sharmaine

Sorry to hear you are stuggling, I know that feeling a couple of times I've thought is it worth taking all these tablets to still be in pain but I'm glad I stuck with it. You didn't say what you were on but once the specialists get hold of you you will start to feel alot better. They are just tweaking my drugs again as my consultant thinks my meds aren't working fully. Don't be afraid to tell them how much you are hurting they can't even begin to imagine what pain you have to live with day in day out unless you keep telling them.

Take care.

debs

sharmaine

Thanks debs
What you say makes so much sense. I'm on co-dydramol (8 a day); amitrytaline (2 at night); dicloflex (3 daily); other stuff for high blood pressure.
I will tell the doctor about the pain. It's true they won't understand until I tell them. I asked if I would have another x-ray and she said she couldn't keep sending me for x-rays. I'm going to ask about seeing a specialist. I'm not very good at pushing myself forward. I wish I was. I'll have to compare myself to the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz! I get so emotional about it and when I see my GP I just want to cry (and sometimes I do). I am such a wuss at the moment. Anything sets me off.
Sharmaine

debsmartin wrote:

Hi Sharmaine

Sorry to hear you are stuggling, I know that feeling a couple of times I've thought is it worth taking all these tablets to still be in pain but I'm glad I stuck with it. You didn't say what you were on but once the specialists get hold of you you will start to feel alot better. They are just tweaking my drugs again as my consultant thinks my meds aren't working fully. Don't be afraid to tell them how much you are hurting they can't even begin to imagine what pain you have to live with day in day out unless you keep telling them.

Take care.

debs

ritnew

Hi Sharmaine
I know exactly how you feel, I take anything up to 18 pills a day and I never seem to be pain free. I often wonder just how much pain I'd be in if I didn't take them all. I take my husband with me whenever I can, he's my mouth piece as I have trouble saying to the dr how bad it can be and have burst into tears. Try writing down what you want to say to the dr and all the questions you may have. It is very depressing to be in this pain day after day. You must not let Arthur get the better of you, I try not to. I do a bit then rest and keep doing that all day till I get the housework done. There are quite a few things I can't do anymore, luckily enough my husband and daughter take over when this happens, don't try and do too much though. I have my first hospital appointment on Monday, I'm hoping they will perform some miracle and I'll walk out cured.
Take care, fingers crossed now the weather has warmed up the pain will ease.
Rita x

woodbon

Hello
Its horrible to be in pain and get little relief from your medication. Have you discussed this with your doctor, as there may be other things he can prescribe for you, either in addition or as well as what you're having already. Also have you tried heat packs or cold packs whichever you find best heat works for me, but other people find cold better. I do hope this lovely weather makes you feel better and you can enjoy it. Love Sue

miss_l

Hi there,

I'm in the same situation as you (and it certainly isnt fun!!)

I went back to my Dr yesterday and have been given stronger painkillers plus time off work - as a teacher im constantly on my legs and fortunately my GO has decided enough is enough !

I do hope things get better for you soon, being in constant pain is not fun - heres hoping the sun brings us all a smile!

mistywillow

miss_l wrote:

Hi there,

I'm in the same situation as you (and it certainly isnt fun!!)

I went back to my Dr yesterday and have been given stronger painkillers plus time off work - as a teacher im constantly on my legs and fortunately my GO has decided enough is enough !

I do hope things get better for you soon, being in constant pain is not fun - heres hoping the sun brings us all a smile!

Hi Sharmaine
sorry you're not feeling great but it takes quite a while to get the meds sorted to ones that help you best without too many side effects. It's all trial and error as everyone responds to drugs differently.
Also try to remember that doctors etc are just ordinary people with certain qualifications and they chose to do their jobs mainly because they want to help people. So make sure you know exactly what you want to ask and deal with during the appointment. (write it down if need be) It's your body and health and you need to work together to get it sorted. Think of it as team work rather than than the medics being in charge. I have been on both sides and most doctors do want to help, some do not always have the best bedside manner and some get stressed with the amount of work they have to do but be firm, you are both there for the same reason to try and make you feel better.
Take care Gill x

sharmaine

Thank you all so much for responding I will certainly go in with a different approach. I have started to use heat pads ...it helps especially in the morning and before bed. I will see my GP soon - she's so much in demand - I couldn't get an appointment this week! Its nice to hear that I'm not alone out there with this condition which, if you let it, can run you down.

I appreciated all your responses and will take on board all of your advice.

The weather does help too.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Sharmaine

mistywillow wrote:

miss_l wrote:

Hi there,

I'm in the same situation as you (and it certainly isnt fun!!)

I went back to my Dr yesterday and have been given stronger painkillers plus time off work - as a teacher im constantly on my legs and fortunately my GO has decided enough is enough !

I do hope things get better for you soon, being in constant pain is not fun - heres hoping the sun brings us all a smile!

Hi Sharmaine
sorry you're not feeling great but it takes quite a while to get the meds sorted to ones that help you best without too many side effects. It's all trial and error as everyone responds to drugs differently.
Also try to remember that doctors etc are just ordinary people with certain qualifications and they chose to do their jobs mainly because they want to help people. So make sure you know exactly what you want to ask and deal with during the appointment. (write it down if need be) It's your body and health and you need to work together to get it sorted. Think of it as team work rather than than the medics being in charge. I have been on both sides and most doctors do want to help, some do not always have the best bedside manner and some get stressed with the amount of work they have to do but be firm, you are both there for the same reason to try and make you feel better.
Take care Gill x

petmad

Hi Sharmane, hope you feel better soon.please also remember to take your medication regularly. Like you I often feel I am never going to be out of pain however regular medication does help. Linda

eckstardeluxe

I hear you. I'm on some pretty serious stuff but every morning the sciatica is there and stays throughout the day, nothing totally kills it off. I find most days I'm counting down the hours to take my next batch as the pain is becoming unbearable after only a couple of hours. It gets me so down sometimes, I just can't help thinking "is this my life forever?" It does help me to know there are others out there facing the same struggles and it gives me some comfort that we can share them with one another. x

vonski

Hi Sharmaine

You can get the heat pads that will last for 12hrs, I find these quite good. They'd be good if you have to go out anywhere

Love
Vonski x

mistywillow

eckstardeluxe wrote:

I hear you. I'm on some pretty serious stuff but every morning the sciatica is there and stays throughout the day, nothing totally kills it off. I find most days I'm counting down the hours to take my next batch as the pain is becoming unbearable after only a couple of hours. It gets me so down sometimes, I just can't help thinking "is this my life forever?" It does help me to know there are others out there facing the same struggles and it gives me some comfort that we can share them with one another. x

Hi eckstardeluxe
Your words "is this my life forever" really struck a note with me. However positive you try and make your self there is always that scarey feeling lurking!! However life is a challenge for most people in one way or other and being flexible and adaptable is probably the only way to cope. Sometimes it is hard to believe that you can have happy times with all that pain but hopefully you have good friends and family who are supportive of you, and yes this site is great. I'm so sorry others are in so much pain too though!
Take care of yourself
Gill x

woodbon

Hi,
I know that pain makes you tired, apart from the usual stresses of life it adds its own demention. Some people find that mediation and relaxation helps them to cope with pain. I'm not sure where to get the tapes from, but the internet or the helpline here would be able to tell you. I know its not everyone's cup of tea, but at least it may give you a chance to rest. I don't know if this is of any help, but I just thought it may be worth a try, at least with something like that, if it doesn't work, it won't harm you! Hope you find some relief soon. Love Sue

sharmaine

Hi ritnew
I try not to let Arthur win but I do have the odd day when I wonder if the rest of my life will be like this. I can't even get up out of a chair these days without help! Standing in a queue is torture too. I have never taken my husband with me to the doctor and I'll ask him to tag along the next time I go. I will do as you suggest and write stuff down.

I make lists everywhere with regards to housework. I can't work anymore because of OA. I've recently bought a carpet sweeper that I keep upstairs. I can't lift the hoover upstairs anymore. Just getting myself going in the morning takes time!

I hope your hospital appointment went well.
Sharmaine
quote="ritnew"]Hi Sharmaine
I know exactly how you feel, I take anything up to 18 pills a day and I never seem to be pain free. I often wonder just how much pain I'd be in if I didn't take them all. I take my husband with me whenever I can, he's my mouth piece as I have trouble saying to the dr how bad it can be and have burst into tears. Try writing down what you want to say to the dr and all the questions you may have. It is very depressing to be in this pain day after day. You must not let Arthur get the better of you, I try not to. I do a bit then rest and keep doing that all day till I get the housework done. There are quite a few things I can't do anymore, luckily enough my husband and daughter take over when this happens, don't try and do too much though. I have my first hospital appointment on Monday, I'm hoping they will perform some miracle and I'll walk out cured.
Take care, fingers crossed now the weather has warmed up the pain will ease.
Rita x[/quote]

hezmarie25

Hi Sharmaine
I have just come across your message (I am new) and hope that by now you have some relief.
On another post on here someone suggested taking someone with you to the gp and I think its a brill idea, another set of ears and another mouth to speak up for you would help.
I do hope you have got it all sorted out and are feeling better
Take care Heather x