1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Osteoarthritis

How do you get relief from the pain

Posted , 8 users are following.

youngatheart1
youngatheart1

Hi, I have ostearthrits in neck and across top of shoulders due to many years of typing.  I cannot take ibuprofen, the gel is ok, but does not work as well.  I have tried massage, exercise classes, heat pads, cold gels but the pain is just so bad on a daily basis.  I am having the most horrendous headaches.  I was given 3 days worth of diazepam which worked wonders, but after 2 months back to square one.  GP said I cannot take them for longer and I would not want to.  Has anyone else found a way to reduce the pain. I do try to exercise and keep mobile but that seems to make it worse.

1 like, 26 replies

26 Replies

Next
  • stephen_18363
    stephen_18363 youngatheart1

    Posted

    Hi I'm on tramodol but got to go see gp on Thursday has they not working I'm in constant hip pain

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 stephen_18363

      Posted

      Hi, the only thing that worked for me was valium, 3 days at a time and to be honest not something I want to get hooked on.  Let us know what your GP say's as mine is useless with that sort of thing.

  • loxie
    loxie youngatheart1

    Posted

    Hi youngatheart, I have exactly the same type of OA in neck/shoulders, due to very much the same cause.  I got referred to the physio dept who gave me a sheet of exercises to do for the next which has eased the pain a little, although only a little.  I too cant take ibuprofen, or naproxen, diclofenac etc., and you're right the gel doesnt work anywhere near as well.  I found some relief from mindfulness meditation classes but sod's law, I cant get there anymore as driving too far is too painful.  Although keeping mobile or exercising can seem to make it worse, its essential to keep it moving otherwise the long term problem will get much more painful.  I've been recommended to use capcaisin cream (its an active ingredient in chilli peppers) which apparently is very good for arthritic pain.  The friend who recommended it got prescribed it by her doctor but she's not in the UK and I dont think ours will.  I'm going to have a hunt online for a reputable brand.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 loxie

      Posted

      window.post_1488379050426_23 = function(win,msg){

      win.postMessage(msg,"*"wink;

      }H Loxie, we have spoken before I think.  My sister is taking tumeric, but I cannot use this as I am on blood thinners, only for another week so will give it a try them.  I will also look up capcaisan cream anything to help.  Exercises do not work for me, I did have some physio but gave up when she said she was not getting anywhere as my muscles were just rigid.  Take care

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1

      Posted

      Not sure what all the strange stuff is a beginning of message.
    • loxie
      loxie youngatheart1

      Posted

      hi youngatheart, yes we have spoken before, I find I get a lot of help and support on these forums – much more than we get from most of the medical profession sadly.  I was taking curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) but to be quite honest the capsules were very expensive and I didn’t notice a whole lot of difference so when I ran out I haven’t bought anymore yet.  I can’t seem to find capsaicin available in the UK, a lot of websites advertise something called Fiery Jack gel which gets good reviews but they all say ‘discontinued in the UK.  Typical – something works and our nanny state takes it away.
  • constance.de
    constance.de youngatheart1

    Posted

    There doesn't seem to very much around that DOES help!😡  However, talking to people on this forum helps a lot.

    I have polyarthritis so I do understand the pain you are going through.  Some find acupuncture helps, others TENS machines.  Swimming is a great relief because the water takes the weight off your body.  Walking is about the only thing that helps me, but never more than 20 minutes.  Creams and tablets may help for short periods.

    I find that if I excercise/walk/swim on one day I must relax for the whole of the following day or I am in trouble.

    All the best.  💐

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 constance.de

      Posted

      Hi, my trouble is it iis n my neck and hands so exercise is not very successful as my muscles are rigid.  Did try physio without success.  I am going to give swimming a go and see if that helps.  I have a constant headache which drives me mad. It is good to talk though as it makes you realise how many of us are in the same boat. Take care 
  • philip49799
    philip49799 youngatheart1

    Posted

    Have you considered Acupuncture? You are almost certainly going to have to go and pay for this, however some NHS Trusts use this for pain relief. If you speak to your GP and ask about choose and book you may find somewhere locally that does this through the NHS and then perhaps someone would be kind enough to take you?

    For private treatment may I suggest you seek a specialist practitioner and not one of these that trade in a beauty salon or similar.

    Good luck.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 philip49799

      Posted

      No, but am really considering this as I am desperate.  I did ask for a steroid injection but was told as it is my neck not a simple procedure, but was given valium for 3 days which worked great, but then it all returns again.  Thanks
    • loxie
      loxie youngatheart1

      Posted

      If you're considering acupuncture, do ask your doctor if they can refer you.  In a lot of areas you are entitled to a small number of treatments on the NHS, cant remember how many but at least its a start.  Anyone they refer you to will be a fully qualified practitioner who will probably use the first appointment as a fact finding mission then plan treatment specifically for your needs.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 loxie

      Posted

      Hi, I will mention it next time I go.  I ordered some more valium today, they only let me have for 3 days, but that is enough to relax everything.  Last time I had them was November, so if they work will just keep going down that route.  3 days is not enoguh to get hooked I shouldn't think, but will definitely be trying the acupuncture also. 

  • SweetSal
    SweetSal youngatheart1

    Posted

    Is any of your pain from nerves in those affected areas or is it just joint pain??  There is a medication, Gabapentin, and there are others, they can give you for nerve pain and they can give you muscle relaxers to try to loosen those muscles and you can sleep better.  I'm also limited to certain meds because of my stomach and kidneys.  Hope this helps a little, keep us updated.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 SweetSal

      Posted

      Hi, I was given valium but only for 3 days which worked wonders, GP and physio have said my muscles have become rigid which is what is causing pain in head and everywhere else.  Like you I am stuck as I have stomach issues and cannot take ibuprofen.  I will ask about gabapentin.  Thanks
  • Boots74
    Boots74 youngatheart1

    Posted

    I also suffer from osteoarthritis among other things & no ibuprofen for me either. I suggset going to a Rheumatologist. Not that you need to stop seeing your GP or anything. It sounds like the road I have traveled on quite a few times times myself. It seems to me that your GP has helped you all they possibly can .... Within their legal limits. A Rhuemtologist however lives/practices by a different set of rules and this Is a Good thing! I know that some people who hear or think of a specialist get scared off or just go into anxiety overload. I know some people personally & I was one myself. I don't know if this applies to you or not I thought I would throw it in however just in case. My Rhuemtologist has been able to help me in so many ways that My GP nor any kind of pain management could not. It's been such a blessing for me! Am I pain free? No. Is my pain level down enough to make a Big difference in My life? YES!!! A Rhuemtologist's main priority is to know & treat any & every disease or condition that falls under the category of rheumatology inside out backwards & sideways & osteoarthritis Is one of them. They are able to give you so many more options & choices to help you manage your pain & all the other things that are unfortunately a package deal with these diseases/conditions. I honestly don't know how I could even begin to live My life without the help I have received from my rheumatologist. I do hope you can find some relief! Chronic Severe Pain can a??ut make you crazy & why live in more pain than you have to? I hope I have helped at least a little bit & I wish you the very best!

    • constance.de
      constance.de Boots74

      Posted

      But what did the rheumatologist actualy DO/SAY/ADVISE?  Many have been to rheumatologists and come away crying because of the attitude of their rheumy!😡

    • philip49799
      philip49799 Boots74

      Posted

      Well thank you. No one has ever mentioned this route in my sessions so far. Now I have a question to ask the GP!
    • loxie
      loxie constance.de

      Posted

      oh constance, I absolutely agree.  I had a terrible time with the rheumy.  She was quite aggressive with me and very short tempered when I mentioned I had bad reactions to some pain meds.  She actually said, and I quote, I'm a pill pusher - thats what I do.  On top of my OA, I have fibro like symptoms which are getting worse and chronic fatigue and her view was that if I didnt just accept it and take something like tramadol then it was effectively my fault i was suffering.  I did leave her office crying, much to my embarrassment walking out through a packed waiting area.  I saw a physiotherapist who has been more understanding and more of a 'counsellor' than either my GP or the rheumy and he's of the opinion that there are better ways of dealing with pain than just yet another prescription for something that either isnt effective or causes rotten side effects.  He's pushing my GP to refer me for things like CBT and Mindfulness.

    • constance.de
      constance.de loxie

      Posted

      I remember your story Loxie - that is why I mentioned the 'crying' in Boots post.  You aren't the only one by any means that has left the rheumy crying - especially it seems in Britain.

      Physiotherapists have more time to listen to your story/advise/help.

      You are right about the advice(!?!) of the doctor/rheumy saying "take this different tablet" - not only do they get rid of you asap they also give tablets willy-nilly that don't work any better than the last ones they gave you.

      Keep positive!

      Regards fr C. 💐

    • loxie
      loxie constance.de

      Posted

      thank you Constance.  After my PT appointment, I just feel a million times better.  Just being listened to and understood has helped enormously. The stress of being 'dismissed' by doctors just adds to the problems and makes it all worse.  I've been with my existing GP surgery for many years and they can see from my records I'm not a hypochondriac or time waster - until all this pain hit, I was fit, healthy, ate well, exercised and generally never bothered the doctor for anything other than the odd throat infection.  I swear to God if they use the phrase 'wear and tear' or 'age related' one more time I may not be responsible for my actions smile 

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 Boots74

      Posted

      Hi, yes, I have seen a rheumatologist who sent me for a course of physio, unfortunately as the bones in my back at base of neck and muscles have frozen this did not work, I then paid privately for physio which again did not work, she said it was like kneading dough!! she was not getting anywhere. I will ask for another referral though as it has been a number of years since I went, they said I have fyrbromyalgia as well. Trouble is none of us knew when we were sitting at our manual typewriters what would happen in years to come, and to be honest when I look at the way my son sits hunched over his phone, I expect he too will have problems.  Take care
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.