Diagnosis/pain medications

Hello

I have had oestoarthritis in my right knee for a number of years now but I am pretty sure it is in other bits of me as well, most recently I had sciatica flare up which is still with me and had strong pain killer for that , a boney lump appeared on the same side on my shin (an X-ray which showed soft tissues swelling) I rang the gp and the gp doesn't want to see me again about that but I still have the question of why is it there then? ankle/knee swells up if I over do the standing and walking and the sciatic pain on the right side is equally still there , although admittedly not in the same degree of pain it was. It hasn't gone away.

What I feel really confused about most is pain medications? I don't seem to get a straight answer or an answer that helps me understand. I saw a consultant about my hands last year mild carpal tunnel nothing else showed up but he said don't take inbrufen as I was getting tiny bruises fair enough, only take for joint swelling? take paracetamol but what do you take when that doesn't cut it ? I have codeine at 30mg with paracetamol mixed in for the sciatica but I could only take one and those are too strong equally I don't want to over medicate myself either? I also had naproxen which seemed to help more but again you can't keep taking those either?? I eased up on those when the nerve pain subsided but as my ankle had swollen up last night after a morning of a slow paced walk I then couldn't work out what I was supposed to take if anything, just sat with them raised up.

Do I ask for a lower strength of codeine when paracetamol isn't enough? (mainly in the mornings to be fair when I have been lying down all night? do I or I take something for the swollen joints but what? I have asked about physio but I don't get a straight answer via the GP either. I am also awake in the night so uncomfortable down that right side, lower back as I cannot get in the right position for comfort, if I do sleep I wake up at 4am and end up getting up as it is too uncomfy to settle again .

I know you can't cure these things but just some advice around pain relief or the right things to say at the GP's (different doctor each time) that would get the best out of an appointment if anyone has any general advice around these things I would really appreciate it. Bit waffly I know lol..